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I recently visited the upper west side. Hadn't been there in about 3 yrs and for some reason, I really liked it this time. Now I've been a die hard downtown fan (Tribeca/West Village/Union Sq.) as far as I can remember, but the other day really made me consider the UWS.
What I want to know is basically how the West Village (or the village in general) compares to the UWS concerning:
1) crime & safety
2) condo/co-op prices (and space, quality)
3) rents
4) things to do
5) any other useful information about the UWS
ps. the 'long' commute is not really a concern. I've lived in NJ all my life, and am used to a 35 min-1 hr commute into the city/riding 2 different path trains/driving through the tunnel etc...
I would say that they would be similiar in crime specs. However, when you say the upper west side do you include Harlem? Or does your upper westside stop at 110 St? If you include Harlem the Upper Westside would have more crime than The West Village or the Village as a whole. And ofcourse Co-Op prices are going to be higher and nicer in UWS. Rents as well. But the rents in the village are quickly creeping up there. When talking about things to do, The Village is alot more lively with younger people. Naturally there is more things to do.
You might want to check out parts of Alphabet City that have not been consumed by The East Village. Rents are low compared to other parts around that area and there is still alot to do.
I think it's all in one's perspective. There is lots to do on the UWS: museums, Lincoln Center, Central Park. Frankly, in the Village there are restaurants and nice looking neighborhoods, but not that much else.
Right now the Village is hot real estate, but only slightly hotter than the UWS. So you'll pay top dollar, regardless of where you choose. And condos are, as usual, pricier than co-ops.
I would say that they would be similiar in crime specs. However, when you say the upper west side do you include Harlem? Or does your upper westside stop at 110 St? If you include Harlem the Upper Westside would have more crime than The West Village or the Village as a whole.
No, I definitely would not move to Harlem, I'd top out at 90th, don't even wanna get close.
What's wrong with Harlem? Harlem doesn't truely begins untill you reach at least 110th.
Thruthfully not much is wrong with Harlem. Alot of it is all talk. But I wont say its ALL talk. Harlem has made alot of strides but it hasnt completley renewed itself. But I would have no problem living in Harlem if not for the high prices.
You'd really stop at 90th Street? I'm considering an apt. at 93rd/Amsterdam. Should I reconsider?
No way! Go 4 it! That is a very nice area. Well stocked area, there are some very nice buildings around there, and there are also some nice restaurants and bars on Broadway. That is still considered the Upper West Side BTW.
110th on the west side is not considered Harlem depending on who you talk to. It is considered Morningside Heights. That neighborhood has a noticeably different feel than the rest of Harlem and East Harlem, due to Columbia U. It is sort of a combo of Harlem and the Upper West Side. But hey we can argue about this all day.
People are so scared for no reason. These days I feel pretty safe in about 97% percent of Manhattan. Some parts on the east in Harlem are still not the greatest. Some parts of Wash. Heights are still sort of bad as well, but outside of that I feel very safe.
The traditional border for Harlem on the west side has long been 125th street. I don't think that has changed.
I am shocked that someone from NJ has no idea of that or what the entertainment options up there would be. Also using the word commute in terms of living on the UWS? Where on earth do you work?
Rents are very high all the way up to 118th street in my opinion. I always really liked the area around Columbia. But that area does NOT have big cheap apartments available as someone had stated on a recent thread. You would have to go further north for that and at that point you would have to be willing to make more trade offs.
I would go for the West Village without a doubt, and for one reason: soul vs. sterile.
I've always found the UWS more 'burb than City especially in some of the major cross-street areas (i.e. 72nd, 79th, 86th), while I've always found GW alive no matter which street.
And depending on what you like and who you are: what to do varies. You might have lots of restaurants and brand-name shops up on the UWS, but you will find some long-standing charming eateries in the Village.
Crime, cost, and space may be similar. If you found a condo/apt in one of the pre-war UWS buildings you'd get more space. The newer apartment buildings in the Village are average sized, and some on the UWS are oversized--think: full-sized bed vs. king size bed.
Good luck!
Quote:
Originally Posted by JR86
I recently visited the upper west side. Hadn't been there in about 3 yrs and for some reason, I really liked it this time. Now I've been a die hard downtown fan (Tribeca/West Village/Union Sq.) as far as I can remember, but the other day really made me consider the UWS.
What I want to know is basically how the West Village (or the village in general) compares to the UWS concerning:
1) crime & safety
2) condo/co-op prices (and space, quality)
3) rents
4) things to do
5) any other useful information about the UWS
ps. the 'long' commute is not really a concern. I've lived in NJ all my life, and am used to a 35 min-1 hr commute into the city/riding 2 different path trains/driving through the tunnel etc...
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90th?
