Upper East Side in Manhattan (York, Yorkville: safe area, buying, schools)

[SarahGabrielle]

Does anyone have any comments, good or bad regarding this area of Manhattan?

[williamter]

That is to general a question. What do you need to know? Jobs, schools, rent, buying, etc. etc. I was born in 1952 and raised on East 78th Street, and York Ave. My whole family goes back to 1906 in Yorkville although none remain except me, and I live on the Westside. I am retired (NYPD) so tell me more of what you need to know.

[mead]

Upper East side = upper crust, rich people. Don't even consider moving here unless you make well into the six figures. If you don't, then just scrap whatever plans you might have had for moving here.

[elfyum]

Originally Posted by mead

Upper East side = upper crust, rich people. Don't even consider moving here unless you make well into the six figures. If you don't, then just scrap whatever plans you might have had for moving here.

Yup! Lived there waaay back growing up! ('74-'84) Loved it! But it was expensive THEN... (though I guess it would be in proportion to the cost of living...)

[BovinaCowHateWindTurbines]

If you are new to NYC I would recommend it. I lived there most of the 90's and it was fairly affordable but tough to find a decent place for sure - it has gotten very expensive. I lived in Yorkville mostly around 1st ave to York and from 73rd to 86th st. Its a quiet neighborhood for the most part although there are quite a few bars on first ave which can be nosiy at times. Its mostly a lot of young new yuppie types I guess you could say that rotate through. It is true that the real upper crusty types live there but thats closer to central park from the other side of Lexington to 5th ave - if you make in the 7 figures then take a peek over there. York is a place to look its close to the river and Carl Shulz park which a is nice small park on the river by Gracie mansion the Mayors residence. There are plenty of restuarants, museums and central park is always a close walk.

One thing about living around there is the subway is on Lexington which can be pretty good walk in the morning esp. when its really cold. A bus on York can take you to midtown and beyond but painfully slow travel. My wife used to take the bus and it took 45 min to an hour to midtown. Another complaint I hear a lot of people say is that its not the "real NYC" and true it is fairly bland by some standards - but if you like a quite safe area it is worth a look.

gl

[ontheroad]

More or less agree with your observations. I'd add only one other fact: I think the East Side because it is viewed as __boring__has become less expensive than the Upper West Side and other places in the City. And commuting is the worst of the lot for the City. I remember that York Avenue bus.

Just my take, of course!

Originally Posted by BovinaCowHateWindTurbines

If you are new to NYC I would recommend it. I lived there most of the 90's and it was fairly affordable but tough to find a decent place for sure - it has gotten very expensive. I lived in Yorkville mostly around 1st ave to York and from 73rd to 86th st. Its a quiet neighborhood for the most part although there are quite a few bars on first ave which can be nosiy at times. Its mostly a lot of young new yuppie types I guess you could say that rotate through. It is true that the real upper crusty types live there but thats closer to central park from the other side of Lexington to 5th ave. York is a place to look its close to the river and Carl Shulz park which a is nice small park on the river by Gracie mansion the Mayors residence. There are plenty of restuarants, museums and central park is always a close walk.

One thing about living around there is the subway is on Lexington which can be pretty good walk in the morning esp. when its really cold. A bus on York can take you to midtown and beyond but painfully slow travel. My wife used to take the bus and it took 45 min to an hour to midtown. Another complaint I hear a lot of people say is that its not the "real NYC" and true it is fairly bland by some standards - but if you like a quite safe area it is worth a look.

gl

[BovinaCowHateWindTurbines]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

More or less agree with your observations. I'd add only one other fact: I think the East Side because it is viewed as __boring__has become less expensive than the Upper West Side and other places in the City. And commuting is the worst of the lot for the City. I remember that York Avenue bus.

Just my take, of course!

Yeah that Bus is like sticking a ice pick in your eye I dont know how my wife did it. On really bad days I would take the Bus up 86th to the Subway which my wife would yell at me for cuz it was a double fare. And those Lex ave subways are PACKED in the morning. But now I live way up in the mountains and could never go back.

I like boring so I liked the Upper east. You can go anywhere for fun I liked coming to a quiet relatively safe neighborhood.

[BovinaCowHateWindTurbines]

OK my wife told me why she took the Bus.

It was right out in front of our Apt Door.
She always got a seat.
Less scary people
She could read/work
And she knew she could go 3 miles in 45 minutes.

[sugarbeet]

UES is where many young people who are new to the city live. There are several bars and some of the more reasonably priced housing - you have to move away from Fifth Ave, though! Try to stay close to Lexington for the subway. North of 100th St is not exactly unsafe - it is gentrifying - but if you are unfamiliar with the city and have safety concerns, I would stay south of there.

[KENKS]

My wife and i are planning to move to NY. My wife will work in NY and I in NJ. My question is how long it would take me to reach midtown NY pennstation from 1-Upper east side 2-Upper west side? Whats the best commuting mode? I will be working in Morristown NJ but do not have to really work out of this location as I will be mostly working from client sites. Love to hear.