It's important to mention that almost every neighborhood
in New York will afford you an array of services. You will not have to
travel far to find a dry cleaner, a “deli” or full-service supermarket,
movie theater, health club, or anything else you might consider.
It's also important to be aware that Manhattan prices are somewhat consistent
regardless of neighborhood.
The Following is an Overview Of Several Popular Neighborhoods:
The Upper East Side
The Upper East Side is home to many of New York's best
co-ops and condos and covers the area of the City north of 59th Street
east of Fifth Avenue. The apartment buildings that line Fifth and Park
Avenues house some of the most expensive properties of the City. This is
a wonderful family area: however, it is still a comfortable place to live
for many singles and young professionals. One may find many elegant
shops and boutiques, excellent private and public schools, access to Central
Park as well as museums such as The Metropolitan, The Guggenheim, The Frick,
and The Whitney. Within the boundaries of the Upper East Side are areas
in Carnegie Hill, East End Avenue, and Yorkville. It is a safe, popular
and predictable area in which to live.
Midtown East
On the East Side of Manhattan in the Midtown area (east
of Fifth Avenue in the 40's and 50's are neighborhoods such a Sutton and
Beekman Place. This is a home to the United Nations (42nd Street
and the East River and to many consulates, companies, are headquartered
in the Midtown area from Fifth Avenue to Third Avenue, and as a result
these neighborhoods are great for walking to work.
Murray Hill
Murray Hill, on the border of the east side of Midtown,
is one of the areas which is providing viable opportunities within walking
distance of their jobs. Murray Hill is bound by Fifth Avenue to the East
River, and 29th Street adjoining Park Avenue are lined with townhouses
and can be quite charming. Murray Hill offers several newer high-rise
buildings along First Avenue in the 30’s that offer views and amenities.
The area around Third Avenue and 34th Street has a wide array of restaurants,
movie theaters, and after-work meeting spots. Murray Hill’s central
location make it easily accessible to most areas in Manhattan.
GRAMERCY PARK
Gramercy Park is another East Side neighborhood and is
situated between Park Avenue South and Third Avenue, and l7th and 23rd
Streets. Its focal point is a private park exclusive to residents of specific
buildings in the neighborhood. The Park's Orientation discourages thru-traffic:
therefore, the neighborhood's character is that of a quiet island somewhat
insulated from the surrounding city. The Park is bordered by beautiful
19th century townhouses, and the neighboring streets have many brownstones.
Available apartments are scarce and quite expensive, if on the Park. Moving
slightly, away from the Park itself offers more affordable options.
GREENWICH VILLAGE
Greenwich Village comprises two districts, the East Village and the West Village. The West Village has been widely known as a bohemian community of artists and writers since the 1920's, It continues today to be a popular and active place to live. New York University lies at its center, at the lower end of Fifth Avenue (8th Street), so the entire Village is a popular spot for young students. The residential streets remain beautiful, quiet and elegant with many attractive old brick townhouses. Lower Fifth Avenue is bustling and is the home to many businesses moving south from Midtown. Given the lack of high-rise buildings, the inventory of apartments is low, and as a result the Village can be as expensive as any other area of Manhattan.
The East Village is emerging as an entity of its own.
The areas close to lower Fifth Avenue have always been popular; however,
the revitalization is moving farther east. First and Second Avenues have
been transformed with restaurants, art galleries, and night spots. The
available housing consists mainly of walk-up buildings which are now being
refurbished. Those seeking conventional high-rise doormen buildings would
do better in other neighborhoods.
CHELSEA
Chelsea is located from Sixth Avenue (Avenue of the Americas)
to the Hudson River, between West 14th Street and West 29th Street.
Chelsea, which is close to the garment center of Manhattan and in the midst
of the flower district, has a less secluded character than Gramercy Park
or Murray Hill. The apartment makeup is comprised of many walkup buildings
and some lovely brownstones, with a few loft-type buildings as well. Chelsea
is not home to many high-rises; however, there are some larger buildings
on West 14th and 23rd Streets and on some of the avenues interspersed throughout
the neighborhood. In the past several years the area has been undergoing
a renaissance. Many new stores are opening up along Sixth Avenue, and Eighth
Avenue is now home to an impressive array of interesting restaurants and
shops and the Joyce Theater. The very westernmost blocks of Chelsea are
also becoming home to many noted art galleries.
SOHO AND TRIBECA
From a manufacturing center twenty years ago. SoHo (which stands for South of Houston) has developed into an expensive neighborhood, both for housing and shopping. The neighborhood's transition was caused largely by a spillover from Greenwich Village, the traditional center of off-beat living styles in New York City. SoHo is also famous as the home of artists, some of whom moved in long ago when rents were low and others who have had financial success. There are dozens of well-established art galleries, specialty food stores and sophisticated restaurants.
In recent years Tribeca (which stands for Triangle-Below
Canal) has begun to resemble SoHo. The lofts once used for light manu-facturing
and warehouses are slowly being converted into residential apartments.
There are many high-priced, fashionable restaurants and clubs in the area,
and although there are not the same number of visual arts galleries that
marked the renaissance of SoHo. Tribeca certainly has its share of avant-garde
clothing and design shops. In both neighborhoods the housing stock is primarily
expensive lofts, some renovated and some with only raw space available.
BATTERY PARK
Battery Park City, next door to the World Trade Center,
is a mixed residential and commercial neighborhood within easy walking
distance of the entire Downtown business district. The housing which is
new is part of a carefully planned and designed development built as a
result of cooperation between the State and the City Governments and private
developers. Battery Park City is a small city within the city with shops,
restaurants and even a marina. Because of its location, views of the New
York Harbor and Downtown Skyline can be spectacular. This is an ideal location
for those wishing to walk to work on Wall Street.
MIDTOWN WEST
Midtown West is situated above Chelsea and ends at Columbus
Circle, 59th Street and Broadway. This area is sometimes referred to as
Clinton. This is an up and coming residential area which has long been
home to many theater and dance professionals. There are a few hi-rise condo
buildings interspersed with smaller prewar buildings and loft spaces. Midtown
West is the home of Times Square and the Broadway theater districts.
THE WEST SIDE AND THE UPPER WEST SIDE
The West Side begins at Columbus Circle (59th Street) and extends north to 110th Street and beyond.
In the mid 1960's the construction of Lincoln Center, which houses the Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Ballet and the New York Philharmonic, sparked the revitalization of the Upper West Side from a white collar neighborhood to the cultural hub of the city that it is today. Lincoln Center and the large, new residential buildings surrounding it constitute the centerpiece of the West Side. It is from this well established base that the revitalization of the Upper West Side (from 72nd Street north) has taken off.
The area comprises a diverse population. The West Side has become a desirable location for young professionals seeking modern high rise buildings and charming brownstones. as well as families who require the type of space that the prewar buildings along West End Avenue, Riverside Drive and Central Park West provide. Central Park West has become the rival of Fifth Avenue for luxury and views. One will find excellent private schools, access to Central Park and Riverside Park, high style shops, boutiques, specialty food shops. restaurants and cultural institutions such as the Museum of Natural History, The New York Historical Society and The Manhattan Children's Museum.
The housing stock has everything: pre-war luxury buildings, brownstones, walk-ups and new, large, luxury condominium buildings.
We've tried to think of the easiest way to guide a prospective buyer through the maze of finding an apartment in New York City. We hope that the following will be of help.
The rules are different in New York City! Some of the information contained here may seem cumbersome: however, we can guarantee that if you do your homework, the process will flow much more smoothly. My job is to help you determine which type of apartment is suitable for you, to assist in neighborhood selection, to educate you regarding real estate prices, and to select an agent best matched to your needs and budget.
If we can be of further assistance please feel free to
contact us at jhicks@JOH9.COM , my
partner Jeff Kelson via e-mail at jkelson@JOH9.COM
or call 212-946-1102.
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