TriBeCa stands for Triangle Below Canal Street, literally designating the area's borders: Canal Street to the north, the water to the west, and Chambers Street to the south (and Broadway to the east). Decades ago it was a dusty neighborhood filled with warehouses but today it is one of Manhattan's most expensive areas home to celebrities and millionaires galore.
Housing in this area is expensive, there's no way around it. Because the area is so desirable for some many types of people, it is tough to find bargains. Housing does tend to get cheaper the closer you get to Chambers Street and Broadway, but it's all relative. Because it's so populated with wealthy people, TriBeCa isn't knows as being one of the friendliest places in Manhattan. It does have an upbeat and artistic feel to it though. The area is also very safe due to a large police presence here.
TirBeCa isn't known for it's huge nightlife scene and if this is your thing then take a five minute walk over to SoHo. However, some highlights of the TriBeCa bar scene are: the Grace, a chic lounge at 114 Franklin Street, known for its designer cocktails. The Brandy Library on Moore Street caters to a business crowd with gourmet food and a wide selection of - what else? - brandy. B Flat, in the basement of 277 Church, is a popular bar with Japanese food and drinks and a relaxing ambiance.
For outdoor activities, Washington Market Park on Greenwich Avenue and Chambers Street has a playground for kids and benches shaded by trees for grown-ups. The waterfront, just past West Street, has jogging paths and a clean grassy lawn that is always frequented in the warm weather months by sunbathers and Frisbee players.
TriBeCa is served by two subway stations: Franklin Street (1 train) and Chambers Street (1,2, and 3 trains). The area is close enough to the Financial District to be able to take advantage of the many transportation options leaving that area.
TriBeCa is more likely off-limits to ordinary mortals who do not have celebrity status, a well-paying job or a trust fund. If you find that you can afford to live here, then you will enjoy a great, vibrant location near everything you need. You will be safe and get a degree of convenience you can not, even if you live on the outskirts of town to find. There are many more affordable options, but just fun to live and you will have more money in their pockets to spendenjoy life in New York.