Considered by many to be an extremely desirable and a beautiful place to live, Gramercy may seem like a “quiet haven for high society,” but you’ll find many down to earth people and residents walking their french bulldog along the tree lined streets.
The borders that surround this green neighborhood are East River to Park Avenue South from east to west and 23rd Street to 14th Street from north to south.
Accessibility
Looking at subways available for Gramercy, many will consider the neighborhood to be secluded. While traveling to and from Gramercy may be convenient, commuting within Gramercy is, honestly, terrible. When leaving or arriving in Gramercy, MetroCard users can take the (4, 5, 6, N, Q, R, L) at 14 street. However, if you find yourself anywhere on 14th street and want to go up to 23rd street, the (M9 & M15) bus is your only option aside from those things you call feet. For horizontal travel, the (M9 (to some extent) & M23) buses will be your savior.
Lifestyle
If I could describe Gramercy in two words, it would be “urban forest.” That’s what I feel when walking through the long and gorgeous tree lined streets. There’s still the hustle and bustle of New York and the occasional honk of an angry taxi cab, but after escaping the main road and into the residential streets, you’ll find adorable grandparents playing the ukulele while walking their amazingly cute Yorkshire Terriers (yes multiple).
The biggest selling point of Gramercy is Gramercy Park. While private, it doesn’t stop the residents from clinging on to the park’s fences to try to escape the heat of the burning sun. Expect a laid back community surrounding a Garden of Eden; however, don’t expect block parties with Sia blasting on the speakers.
Restaurants & Bars
While the neighborhood may seem small, the restaurant scene is not. Located outside of Gramercy’s borders, Gramercy Tavern is my personal favorite. Considered a pricey restaurant but well worth the extra buck, Gramercy Tavern is a perfect restaurant to dress up, come with friends, and enjoy the calories your stomach will digest. The BEST item is the Duck Breast and Bacon; a meat lovers delight, it’s perfectly balanced and delicious. Almost as amazing (but not as great) as Gramercy Tavern, Ponty Bistro‘s Victoria Lac Salmon is something to write a Taylor Swift song about. A close third has to be The Loop; with amazing sashimi, The Loop will change any vegan to a pescetarian real quick.
Need a drink? Well…look somewhere else. Jokes aside, while Gramercy is un-lively when it comes to nightlife, it does have some gems. While I don’t personally go to Gramercy for a drink, I have thoroughly enjoyed Ampersand. Open late-late, enjoy their cocktails (I’ve personally drunk more Bees Knees than the years I’ve been alive) and some tasty fish tacos. The only other bar I’ve ever been to in within the neighborhood was the Gramercy Ale House. With an unlimited supply of beers on tap, come for the alcohol and stay until you’re politely asked to leave.
Cost
Meant for luxury, many of Gramercy’s buildings offer a lot of space at a higher price point. While not as high as other neighborhoods in Manhattan (I’m looking at you West Village) it is still quite expensive. While Manhattan’s median rent is $4,672, Gramercy’s median rent rocks out to $10,750.
What do you get for this high price point, though? Long beautiful streets, delicious Duck Breasts and Bacon, and ukulele owners. Peek into Gramercy Park, walk your dog, and stay in the shade in this urban forest of a neighborhood.
