Rent hikes. A stale array of Manhattan apartment listings. That’s the rental market scene NYC-apartment-hunters stretching from Harlem to FiDi have been testifying to. The continuing drag in the new-development pipeline (a repercussion of the 2008 stock market crash) coupled with some of the lowest vacancy rates the city has ever seen have dispersed most incentives for landlords to keep rents low. But although rent is up across the board, where in the city is the priciest? The two neighborhoods that take the cake are among Manhattan’s most popular -- the gilded Bohemian paradise that is SoHo, and chic, strutting Tribeca, where trends are born.

From earthquake aftershocks to hurricane-turned-tropical-storm Irene, New York City has seen its fair share of natural hazards in 2011. In a city filled to the brim with luxury rental apartments, many renters have a false sense of security and misconceptions about renters insurance. According to a 2010 survey, more than 70% of the 81 million Americans who rent either do not have renters insurance or even know that it exists. Given that the average American renter owns up to $30,000 in personal properties, a renter who finds himself or herself as an unfortunate victim of mother nature would potentially be paying for the bills all out of their own pockets.

The wealth of Manhattan real estate comes with a wealth of Manhattan real estate reports. Reports from the most recent quarter showed activity in the market, but at slower rates than the previous quarter and last year, and with pricier trends.  So indeed, that chorus of renters' sighs heard around the city this past Friday came from a usual suspect: the rental market report.

Manhattan rental market reports show rents going up in the third quarter this year, while the number of new luxury Manhattan rentals continues to fall. They also indicate that NYC landlords are taking the glitter-out-of-the-envelope in terms of concessions. And as rent goes rises across the board, The New York Times reports that many tired Manhattan tenants with end-of-the-run leases have received stark demands for higher rent, and are consequently shopping around for more affordable options.

New luxury rental buildings built in the past few years have changed the dynamic between buying and renting in Manhattan, perhaps permanently. A trend has emerged among Manhattan elites: a wave of wealthy renters are leasing properties all over the borough. This shift in demand has created a niche market for ultra-luxury apartments that didn’t exist before, at least not nearly to this extent. Moreover, the stigma attached to renting a luxury apartment in Manhattan as a significant downgrade in social status is rapidly disappearing. This Old New York mentality has given way to the new attitude that there is no substantive difference between the two, whether it be in quality of living or in social standing. This shift is directly attributable to the high-quality of new construction in Manhattan, but it extends to all Manhattan real estate as well. The proof is in the listings.

What was once New York City’s premier printing neighborhood is now one of New York City’s best up-and-coming finds. Hudson Square is a modest stretch of land bordered by Greenwich Village, TriBeCa and SoHo in downtown Manhattan. More specifically, Hudson Square (also referred to by its lesser known name West Soho) runs from West Houston Street and Canal Street and sits between 6th Avenue and the Hudson River. Hudson Square contains the largest concentrations of early 19th century Federalist and Greek revival style row houses, and as the area continues to boom commercially with investors and vendors, luxury rental apartments near Hudson Square are steadily gaining popularity.