About the neighborhood:

It was here, in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, that Italians, Jews, and Chinese immigrants first settled when they arrived in New York. Each immigrant community established itself in different parts of the neighborhood, all the while preserving the heritage of their homelands. Today the Lower East Side is primarily home to individuals of Latino, Caribbean, and Asian decent. The neighborhood is densely populated with over 16,000 children per square mile, and one in three children live in a female-headed household. It's also the place where New York's garment industry began and a great place to get a great pastrami sandwich or pickles out of a barrel.

Radio Rookies on their neighborhood:

Angely: I love living in the Lower East Side. I like the people and almost everyone knows each other. It's also fun to live around here. I would never want to move to any other part of New York.

Shakima: Personally, the Lower East Side of Manhattan is a borough in itself. It is home to many Spanish-speaking families. I enjoy the friendly environment every time I hop off the J train to go to Radio Rookies. L.E.S begins at 14th street and goes down to the Williamsburg Bridge. The residents of L.E.S should be proud to live in such a great part of Manhattan.

Anthony: This place is the best. I really like it here, but you know, as you grow older you forget about the place sometimes, you even forget your best friend sometimes, but I enjoy it. It is also the most "gansterest" place in the world.

Alena: I like the neighborhood - there are a lot of friendly people, Italian ices for a dollar, guys sitting out on the street playing cards, etc. This is what colors the neighborhood and what makes it so great. It's such a contrast to, say, the glamour and price of 5th Avenue. That's why I love that these 2 different areas are in the same city together.