The neighbourhood of Chelsea has a unique flavour. Sitting on the west side of Manhattan, it’s boundaries are 15th Street to the south and 39th Street to the north, and it is within walking distance to Midtown West, the West Village and the Meatpacking District.

Chelsea has been the heart of the gay community in New York City for many years, and has many community services addressing the specific concerns of gays and lesbians, including advocacy services and anti-violence groups. In addition, there are many gay bars and galleries featuring the works of gay artists.

Chelsea is within walking distance to another great neighbourhood: the Meatpacking District. Not long ago, this area was a wasteland of meatpacking plants and industrial buildings. But Manhattan is constantly re-inventing itself, and this area is no different: it has been completely renovated and is now home to several high-end shops, expensive clubs, and the luxurious Gansevoort Hotel. The MPD is now a true 24 hour Manhattan neighbourhood, and has Chelsea as its neighbour.

Accommodation

Historically populated by townhouses and pre-war co-ops, Chelsea is now also home to newly built luxury apartments. You can expect to pay upwards of $2,500 for a studio, and upwards of $3,500 for a three-bedroom apartment. Have you got a cool million bucks just hanging around in your bank account? You’ll need it (and then some) if you want to buy a place here. Once you get past 30th Street, prices do tend to be cheaper, but only by a bit.

Shopping & Amenities

Chelsea is home to the famous Chelsea Market (www.chelseamarket.com), located on Ninth Avenue between 15th and 16th Streets. This indoor marketplace is filled with gourmet shops selling assorted culinary delights. The brownies from Fat Witch Bakery (888 419 4824), situated inside the market, could be the most compelling reason to move into the neighbourhood.

Entertainment & Leisure

Chelsea has around 200 art galleries, some of which are located within Chelsea Market. The market also has a dance studio where tango lessons are given every Saturday.

Chelsea Piers is a destination point for people from all five boroughs and beyond. Its enormous complex on the Hudson River offers sports of all kinds, from golf and basketball to rollerskating and rock climbing. It also has a fitness centre and a luxury spa (www.chelseapiers.com).

The Gansevoort Hotel is a slice of cool and a great place to head for cocktails – their in-house Japanese restaurant, Ono, is a magnet for beautiful people. The Gansevoort is also near the High Line, a now-defunct, elevated railway that was scheduled for demolition before a group of interested people started lobbying to have it turned into a community park (www.thehighline.org).

Health

St Vincent’s Hospital, located right on the border of Chelsea and the West Village, has been providing excellent care to the residents of downtown Manhattan for many years. For further information about the hospital, or to find a doctor in the area, call 212 604 7000, or check out their website (www.svcmc.org).

Education

Chelsea is not a hugely popular area for families, so you won’t find many schools there. Chelsea school (PS 33) is a popular option (212 244 6426), but there are more choices in neighbouring areas.

Traffic & Public Transport

The best way to get around this colourful area is on foot. Chelsea is a fascinating, varied neighbourhood with great architecture and a tangible character. Almost everything you need is just a short walk away. Trains to Chelsea include: A, C, E, 1, 2, 3, B, D, F, N, Q, R, V and W.

Safety & Annoyances

Although very rare, Chelsea has been the scene of a few hate crimes aimed at the gay community. So while you will certainly feel safe and free to be yourself most of the time here, keep your common sense handy to avoid getting into any danger.