Along its length, high grasses, wildflowers and even trees sprang up, creating a nine metre-high streak of greenery in the Lower West Side.

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But more than a half-dozen public housing sites have already been selected in some of Manhattan's most desirable neighborhoods, including the Upper West Side, the Lower East Side and the Financial District.

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Residential Park Slope, just west of Prospect Park, has a good selection of laidback clothing shops and bookstores along Fifth Ave (Lower East Side hip) and Seventh Ave (slightly more Upper West Side).

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After establishing locations in Brooklyn and then on the Lower East Side, they expanded their marinara-and-meatballs empire to the West Village.

NEWYORKER: Francesca

Also be sure to spend some time in other neighbourhoods besides hectic Times Square such as the very charming, tree-lined far West Village, trendy Soho and Nolita and the uber-hip and historic Lower East Side.

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