You don’t have to be Jerry Seinfeld or own the Empire Hotel to experience the pizzazz of the Upper West Side (UWS). Whether or not you are familiar with its presence on television, the neighborhood is a fascinating setting for the next chapter of your life.
Stretching the length of Central Park, the Hudson River serves as UWS’s east-west boundaries. As one of the larger neighborhoods in NYC, Upper West Side has a lot of variety in living options as well as amenities which makes it a hot residential location and a bustling tourist destination.
Accessibility
PC: John Barbiaux
While it would be a great workout to walk the entire area of the UWS, the public transit is quite accessible (and a lot faster). The UWS is split by the (1, 2, and 3) subway lines running along Broadway and by the (A, C, B, and D) trains on Central Park West. It is not difficult to find a subway stop within walking distance that will take you into Times Square, upper Manhattan, or anywhere else in UWS.
Lifestyle
PC: Zeal NYC
Expansive leisure is a primary reason that the UWS has received so much traffic over the past decade. Central Park (plus its zoo) and Riverside Park provide refreshing scenery, pedestrian paths, and well-maintained grassy areas for dogs and outdoor activities.
The American Museum of Natural History and the Children’s Museum of Manhattan supply educational opportunities for students and history buffs alike. Fine arts aficionados will appreciate The Lincoln Center, which houses 11 performing arts organizations and the Beacon Theatre, which has hosted the Tony Awards and many renown musicians. For the shop-a-holics out there, the most desirable of brands can be found at the shops at Columbus Circle.
Restaurants & Bars
PC: Tessa NYC
Broadway and Amsterdam Ave. dissect the neighborhood, providing a central location for good eats and nightlife throughout the UWS. Tessa, Bar Boulud, and the Milling Room serve amazing culinary creations for the big spender. A more affordable but an equally delicious option includes Zabar’s dine-in facility, which has been a staple of UWS cuisine for over 80 years and now includes a supermarket.
Bars and lounges can be found in abundance. Those looking for a sophisticated taste will love Caledonia UWS‘s selection of whiskeys and draughts. If you are looking for reasonably priced drinks and a quality scene, The Dead Poet, E’s Bar, and Bodega 88 have cordial settings that attract lively crowds.
Cost
PC: Airbnb
Demand-driven development has spurred impactful shifts in the Upper West Side’s residential sector. An influx of tourism has resulted in the construction of luxury hotels as well as commercial storefronts. The investment within the neighborhood is reflected in its eye-popping price tag. At $5,250/mo and $1.59 million, UWS has one of the highest median rents and median sales price in Manhattan.
Final Verdict
PC: The Margolis Team
Many great things come at a price. The UWS provides a lot of residential options. Luxurious condos and prewar conversions are both in high demand, as many prospective buyers/renters want modern comfort but are split between a new look and the traditional UWS aesthetic. While the cost can be daunting, the neighborhood amenities are a great perk. The landscape is sure to change over the next few years, but UWS is an ideal location for those seeking a healthy blend of traditional living and modern luxury.
