upper west or upper east sides (Lexington: real estate, apartment, rental)

[xinyun]

It seems to be a good time to buy real estate in NYC. I am considering upper west or upper east sides (co-op or condo). The opinions about these two neighborhoods I've heard so far is that - if you are single, you should be on the upper west side which has lots of restaurants and bars; and upper east side is more for families and older people. I am not into bar scenes although occasional get-together with friends in bars is ok with me. My feeling about them is - upper west side is more energetic with more convenient transportation and upper east side is more relaxing. The open houses I've visited so far seem to show more space for the same price range on the upper east side.

Can anyone provide his/her opinions about these two neighborhoods, especially from real estate appreciation point of view? Thanks in advance.

[Woozle]

1. Why do you think this is a good time to buy real estate in NYC? The prices are falling and no reasonable analyst has called the bottom yet; most, in fact, predict far more substantial declines to come.
2. Neither UWS nor UES are all that good for a single person with money. The 'scene' is firmly downtown. There are two UES's, anyway: 5th avenue to Lexington, which is old money, prissy co-ops and fancy private schools, and Lexington to the East River, which is old walkups and post-war rental buildings: mostly midtown cubicle dwellers territory these days.

UWS restaurants are some of the worst in Manhattan south of 96th, if that's important to you.

[Viralmd]

When I was looking for an apartment (granted, this was seven years ago), I noticed that the better buys were on the East side, in terms of square footage. I wanted to be closer to work (I like walking to work), so I chose the East side, which I think is fine, but 'different' from the West side.

You won't go wrong in either area.

[snifferer]

UWS all the way. that's where i would buy if i had the money.

[analyticalkeys]

I just happen to like the appearance and architecture of the UWS better.

[john_starks]

the UWS

[passdoubt]

I agree with the previous poster that your vision of the UWS being full of bars and restaurants and singles is a little off. Both the UWS and the UES are pretty residential and quiet at night for the most part except a couple stretches of the main avenues. It's not like the UWS is some swinging party scene that'll keep you up at night, maybe unless you happen to live right above a bar. Those areas of Manhattan are mostly below 14th Street.

[vitalove]

UES has the shopping and the bars and restaurants along the Avenues, and you do get more square footage for the money. But I prefer the UWS because I like having more than one train option. The only downside of this is that so many people want to live in the UWS so there are less deals in terms of price. Still I do like the East River views and the greenway over there.

I say look at places that fit your budget in both areas and decide from there. You're still in Manhattan so you should be fine.

[adambos]

As far as home price decline is concearned, yoU are right, this is a goodtime to buy. If you take the previous poster's adivce and try and "catch a bottom" than, you'll miss the opportunity. You wont catch it. The point is to buy low, which you will be doing.

As far as the neighborhood question, most asesments are correct. The UWS is more "neighborhoody" with older brownstone type architechure. The east side has a lot of high rises, but this will vary depending on where you live. Both areas havea lot of families, but the east side definitly has that "goosip girl" feel. If you live near the 4,5,6 train, I prefer the East side it's really nice, and a great refuge when you're in manhattan 24/7.

[KRISTINsf]

Upper East; bread and yeast. Upper West; Mod cut: inappropriate language the rest, is how the saying goes. LOL