Demographics of a New York Neighborhood New

Demographics of a New York Neighborhood

New York City is a uniquely modern American metropolis to be sure, but the city's European influence can still be felt when wandering through the streets of a historic neighborhood. Only in New York can one find the rich blend of architectural wonder, civic pride, diverse population, and modern appeal that exists within the boundaries established by Manahattan's W. 9th Street and N. Washington Square, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Located adjacent to the affluent neighborhood of Greenwich Village, this area has long been home to a highly educated population of working professionals, including many plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and others in the medical profession operating their own private practices. A line of gorgeous mid-size towers begins with the Washington Square Dental Group and continues along Fifth Avenue, where the New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting & Sculpture joins a number of doctor's and dentist's offices. Known as one of the safest and most pedestrian friendly neighborhoods in Manhattan, the square of city blocks established by W. 9th Street as its northern boundary, Fifth Avenue on the east, Washington Square N. To the south, and Sixth Avenue to the west represents a microcosm of New York City as a whole.

Despite the relative economic affluence enjoyed by the majority of this neighborhood's longtime residents, the prolonged recession that has devastated communities throughout the country has also made its impact here. Sprinkled amidst the remarkable beauty of the local apartment buildings is an assortment of empty storefronts and vacant lots, with the local Barnes & Nobel bookstore standing shuttered along with a number of other shops and commercial spaces. One symbol of the neighborhood's sheen of luxury that has survived the economic slump is The Lion, where celebrated Executive Chef and Restaurateur John DeLucie has been serving culinary masterpieces since 2010 after renovating, in the words of New York Times restaurant reviewer Sam Sifton, a "space on Ninth Street (that) has been many things over the years, including a grand old gay bar where Barbra Streisand got her start and, most recently, the restaurant Village" (2010). This critically acclaimed addition to the neighborhood's culinary community has been well received by residents and tourists alike, with The Lion offering a taste of nearby Greenwich Village's well-appointed lifestyle for a relatively affordable price.