Early 20's, male, Midtown East, Murray Hill, or Gramercy? (Marcy: rent, luxury)

[Cashis]

For the next 12 months I have to be in the Murray Hill area for work purposes. I used to live in NYC but moved, and I'm used to driving everywhere now, not waiting on trains, so I'm trying to live in the area I have to work in. My work will be conducted around E31st. I want to be able to walk there in 10-15 minutes or get there by train/bus in that time period, including the wait for the train/bus.

I've already looked at prices and can afford what I need but the biggest problem I'm finding is just based on the amenities, space I want, and a parking garage (I know, I know) I've found very few listings online that I actually like.

In Gramercy, the only listings I see that fit my criteria and have decent guts ALL seem to be coming from the same building, just posted by different realtors. It seems like a group of 6 buildings in the E20's that appears to be an upscale projects (well to me it seems to copy a projects). I don't know if the "park" in the middle is gramercy park or not but I know it has tennis courts, basketball courts, a lot of amenities, blah blah, but the outside looks like projects I'm used to in Marcy.

In Murray Hill, I've found more bulidings/listings that fit the criteria but the finishes inside aren't as good and I'm not 100% sure about their space. I'm also confused as to what is actually Murray Hill. I did find one building that seems to be the true full service building I want (like the "projects" mentioned above) but it's more expensive. I believe it's called "The Anthem". Heard of it?

Now in Midtown East, pretty much the same thing as with Murray Hill. I've found a lot of listings that technically fit the criteria but the guts just don't seem as good. I also found another "luxury complex/projects" that seems to have everything I want called Waterside Plaza. Heard of it?

I guess I'm asking if it was you, which area would be your priority, and then within that area, which streets specifically? Would you want to live in one of these massive luxury complexes or would you prefer just a normal building?

[Viralmd]

And you want a car in Manhattan because?????

[KB4]

That thing with the "park" in the middle is most likely Stuyvesant Town/Peter Cooper Village... which is a nice place to stay if you have kids, maybe not so exciting for a 20-something young guy.

[garfieldlover]

The Anthem is on 34st and 3rd I believe, not too sure. That is a ¨normal¨ building. If you want sprawl, live in Waterside Plaza which is on the other side of the FDR. A little expensive, but has all of the shops in the area. The only downside is that it is isolated, but a quick M16 bus will take you along 34st.

[nyc_sport]

The Anthem is a new building on 34th Street. You will hear a lot of people knocking Murray Hill, but most of the people who do so because it is populated by a lot of 20-somethings like yourself. Although people use the term Murray Hill rather loosely in referring to buildings far south of Murray Hill, it sounds like it suits your needs well. Parking is far more abundant than in many other areas, and often a lot cheaper than much of Manhattan, particularly midtown. Many buildings have garages underneath them, which is quite convenient.

As someone above said, the six building complex that you referenced is Stuyveant Town or Peter Cooper Village, which are east of 1st avenue and below 23rd street, which is a bit of a hike for your walk to work. If you are looking for un-urban living, it might be of interest. Parking also is very cheap by Manhattan standards.

Waterside Plaza also is on 34th, east of 1st aveue.

There are a number of greater Murray Hill (what some derisively call Gramurray) buildings that suit your needs, and many rent direct (i.e., no broker). Search this site, the websites have been listed elsewhere.