Little Italy

In the late 19th century, waves of Italian immigrants—mostly Neapolitans and Sicilians—brought their language and customs to New York City, chasing the American Dream. Here they created Little Italy, a replica in miniature of their towns and villages back home. As their children and grandchildren grew up and left teeming Manhattan, however, the once substantial neighborhood dwindled to a few blocks along Mulberry Street.

Today, tourists soak in the Old-World charm along this brief stretch and flock for a taste of authentic Italian cooking at the red-and-white-checkered tablecloth eateries. One of the most densely populated areas in New York, bustling Little Italy is long on atmosphere, but short on green space. Once people move here, however, they like it so much they never want to leave, making Little Italy one of the most competitive real estate markets in the city.