Would you move to the UWS right now?
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Anonymous
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Hoping there are some NYC peeps here -- we currently live in Dupont and we're moving to NYC - hopefully for the long term to have a family and raise our kids. We're mostly looking at the UWS and UES because we'd like to be close to schools and Central Park.
I'm partial to the UWS, my DH is partial to the UES. I've been doing a lot of research and keep reading about how the UWS really changed during the pandemic and after -- that safety and cleanliness really went down hill and there's all these debates about housing the unhoused. We've been there twice to look at apartments and I didn't see anything unsavory but of course I wasn't spending much time there. Is it as crazy as people online are making it out to be? If you're in NYC, have you noticed the neighborhood changing? |
Anonymous
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I live in NYC, although not on the UWS, visiting there regularly. It did change a bit, but nothing as drastic as the internet would make you believe. Also, it is a very block by block situation, I am sure there are pockets somewhere that got more affected, but overall, I wouldn't describe it as really going downhill. Oh, and the unhoused situation affects UES as well - there is a bunch of major hospitals there... 'nuff said.
As far as your choice between UES/UWS, I'd say consider the commute (the East - West commute sucks in NYC, unlike the North - South, so your office location may be the tie-breaker), the housing stock (you get slightly different options in the two places, your preferences may lead you to one or the other), and the schools. |
Anonymous
Thank you! As far as the East-West commute… would you say most people live to the neighborhood their school is in? We were told there are a lot of west side kids that go to school on the east side and vice versa but maybe it’s more of a pain than I originally thought? |
Anonymous
Re: school, I think it depends on the school. There are some where people come from all over, and there are some that are more concentrated. But there are lots of kids in NYC who travel far even to elementary school, whether public (because of some kinks in the system) or private. That all depends on your personal level of tolerance. There are private buses that serve some schools, but I don't know whether it's chicken or egg - do the buses exist because there was a demand or they were offered and that's expanded the geographic possibilities, may be both. |
Anonymous
| I would not, no. I used to live on the UWS and was shocked to recently see how it has changed. |
Anonymous
| My sister lives on the UWS and I spend one week a month in NY for work. I think it’s changed to the extent DC has changed but (like DC, and SF, and Chicago, etc)- no where near the extent that internet people are yelling about. |
Anonymous
| NYC is fine not sure what people mean by it’s had changed unless they are referring to the homogenization that has occurred since the 1980s. |
Anonymous
| I find the vibe between the two to be quite different. Re: UWS also agree with the block by block situation. I find the blocks situated between Bway and West End/Riverside to be better than those that border Amsterdam and Columbus IMO. UWS is also MUCH more diverse. UES has the stores/shopping, a bit more of a more conservative vibe and some different housing stock. What neighborhood do you currently live in DC? |
Anonymous
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I live in the UWS. During Covid up until about 18 months ago, the homeless situation was getting pretty bad due to the city using UWS hotels as homeless shelters. They have moved on by now and I would say it’s mostly back to how it was. Keep in mind, above 86th street has never been great. There are a bunch of public housing projects starting on I believe 88/89 so that area gets seedy quickly. If you’re below 85, it’s nice.
PP was correct that crosstown is much harder than uptown/downtown, but if you live near 79th street you can take a bus or cab straight through the park. I walk if I want to go crosstown, walking through the park is really nice and it only takes about 20 minutes (depending on where you are, I live on CPW). I also was deciding between UWS and UES when I was looking to buy, and I chose UWS because I like the vibe more. It’s much more casual, family friendly, and feels like a neighborhood. UES is a lot more bougie feeling, although interestingly the real estate is cheaper. My apartment faces Central Park and is a block from a large number of solid restaurants and bars that I could bring my kids to, and some cute independent shops or mid level stores. A comparable apartment on the UES was near like… The Row, Lanvin, and high end Italian restaurants. I was looking for a neighborhood where I could run out in casual sneakers for a quick Tuesday night dinner without reservations, so UWS was better for me. |
Anonymous
| The only place in NYC that you really don't want to live in is the Bowery. It gentrified and then it slipped backwards. Also maybe 106th st. |
Anonymous
Yes! I honestly cannot imagine why people choose the UES. Different strokes for different folks - I get it. But the UWS is a really wonderful place to live. It's thinner than the UES so you are much closer to parks no matter where you live - of course Central Park but Riverside is wonderful. There are a lot of great restaurants where the restaurants on the UES are either overprices crap (EAT I'm looking at you) or fratty places on 2nd. Easier to get downtown (especially Chelsea Piers for the kids or the West Village for a date night). More transportation options. And just a lot easier and closer to necessary amenities - you've got multiple Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Citarella, Fairway, Zabars, etc. |
Anonymous
| UES is not a very desirable place to live unless you’re on park or 5th. Greenwich Village and the West Village are great areas for a family too. |
Anonymous
| What’s your school plan? |