The West Village is known for its picturesque streets and its wide array of cultural attractions. In the view of many, this upscale neighborhood is characterized by a large number of restaurants across its landscape. If you are looking for a classy night out, the West Village houses some of the most critically acclaimed restaurants in the whole city, including Market Table, which serves American nouveau cuisine, and Palma, a small Italian restaurant. The neighborhood also has the famous John’s Pizzeria of Bleecker Street and one of the best bagel joints New York offers, Murray’s Bagels.

But the West Village is so much more than just a great place to eat — it is all about the people who live there. A large percentage of the neighborhood population is composed of younger people, typically aged 20 to 39. And, if celebrity sightings excite you, the West Village is home to actors such as Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker and Claire Danes.

Finding an apartment in the West Village, unfortunately, is not for the financially faint of heart. Most rents go for at least $2,500 a month. That being said, it is still very possible to get creative and fit more roommates into an apartment to drive down costs.

The West Village also provides accessible transportation. It is served by 12 subway lines in various locations and has access to an NYU bus line, so it is not difficult to get to campus, even when you are not living in the dorms.