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The UES is a more consistently upscale area. While there are obviously some very nice parts of the UWS, it's a bit more interspersed with low income public housing. Things like the Amsterdam Houses at the south end, and IIRC, there are some along Columbus in the high 80's. On the UES, there really isn't any of this from 59 (and below that into midtown east), until you hit the mid-90's on the far East Side.
At least for now, the UWS has better public transportation, with it's two subway lines (which will be changing eventually with the 2nd Ave Subway.)
The UWS has been a more liberal, newer money area, with the exception of trophy buildings on CPW and Riverside, as they function more in line with the more traditional, conservative UES. Many parts of the UWS today are a product of gentrification in decades past, whereas the UES never had areas that were as blighted. Yorkville was more of a middle/working class area, but it did not have the same problems with crime, drugs, etc. that plagued parts of the UWS.
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All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.
~William Shakespeare (As You Like It Act II, Scene VII)
Its all a matter of opinion and taste. Ask 100 people and would probably be down the middle. I use to prefer the ues but now love the uws and actually put the most clients in that area. Even people who wanted to live in east village i show them the uws and they love it
I found ues very quiet and boring whereas uws more vibrant.
I was down in the mid 40s on the west side and noticed that it is undergoing a big face lifting given the rises of a lot of glass flashing skyscrapers.
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