From its classic blocks of brownstones and prestigious properties overlooking Central Park to its wealth of cultural hotspots, the Upper West Side appeals to those looking to live the movie-magic Manhattan lifestyle
Nestled between Central Park and Riverside Park along the Hudson River, the Upper West Side is a slice of classic New York that has consistently been ranked among the most desirable neighborhoods in the city since the 1960s. Here are five reasons why…
1. Quality of Life
“What makes the Upper West Side stand out from, say, the Upper East Side, is that it feels more casual,” explains Christie’s International Real Estate Group broker and Upper West Side resident Edward Joseph. “Life is easygoing here. You don’t necessarily have to dress up to go out to eat. It’s more familial.”
Quality of life seems to be the most obvious reason people choose to put down roots there, suggests Joseph. Residents can reach both the Financial District and Midtown in under 30 minutes on the subway, while also enjoying more accessible green space than in any other densely populated corner of Manhattan. Important aspects to consider when shaping an optimal work-life balance.
You have 13 windows that directly face Central Park from the sixth floor, it’s three bedrooms and three baths, and it’s under $3 million.
2. Cultural Highlights
The Upper West Side is a hub of high culture, home to the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the Metropolitan Opera, the Beacon Theatre, the New York City Ballet, and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as Juilliard, one of the world’s most highly regarded and exclusive performing arts schools. Perhaps it’s for this reason that the area has long attracted some of the world’s best known performers, including John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Bono, and Jerry Seinfeld (his real-life home not too far from his fictional address).
3. Gastronomic Delights
Excellent cuisine is a staple on the Upper West Side, and whether it’s served at one of the neighborhood’s many classic diners, the iconic deli Barney Greengrass, or a fine-dining establishment such as Per Se or Boulud Sud, the food is always high quality and the atmosphere laid back. Momofuku off-shoot Milk Bar Upper West Side serves inventive desserts from award-winning pastry chef Christina Tosi, and some of the city’s most intimate wine bars can be found here too.
4. Architectural Gems
Architecturally, the landscape of the Upper West Side is a mix of late 19th-century townhouses, pre-war wonders and a smattering of newer developments. And there are few more esteemed streets in the world than Central Park West.
“You really get that sense of history,” explains Joseph. “When you walk down Central Park West past the pre-war buildings, you can peek in at some of the lobbies and they are just phenomenal. Art Deco with ornate wainscoting, beautiful decorations… it’s wonderful.”
Emery Roth’s apartment buildings The Beresford and The San Remo have both become instantly recognizable landmarks of the park-view skyline. And then, of course, there is the imposing hulk of The Dakota, perhaps the most famous residential building in the whole city thanks to a string of famous tenants including Roberta Flack, Yoko Ono, John Lennon, and Lauren Bacall.
5. Property Perks
Located between West 96th Street and West 97th, 370 Central Park West showcases another architectural style with its Tudor-influenced façade. A home in this building, such as the three-bedroom apartment 601, currently on the market with Christie’s International Real Estate Group, offers the much sought-after proximity to Central Park, but without the typical price tag.
“You have 13 windows that directly face the park from the sixth floor, it’s three bedrooms and three baths, and it’s under $3 million,” says Joseph.
Just across the street from The Dakota, and steps from Strawberry Fields in the park, is another Emery Roth build, The Oliver Cromwell, where a similarly smart deal can be found at unit 14DE, 12 West 72nd Street. This sprawling three-bedroom home has the best in restaurants and the arts on its doorstep.
In addition to such historical residences, the Upper West Side “has also seen some amenity-rich developments, which the millennial buyers are looking for right now,” says Joseph. “They have swimming pools, huge gyms, and saunas—there is a lot of that happening here as well.”
The result of this combination of preserved history and modernity is a remarkably broad range of age groups living in the area. Young families flock for the good schools, while older admirers of the arts see it as the cultural hub of the city.
One surprising trend, Joseph explains, is the recent influx of baby boomers to the area. “They are saying: ‘I’m only 60 years old! I don’t want to move to Florida. I want to be where the action is, go to Broadway, live in the cultural capital’,” he says. “So, they are buying an apartment here and retiring. The transportation is so good—you can get anywhere you want in under half an hour.”
But what may be the greatest draw of the Upper West Side—one that will likely maintain its position in the list of top places to live in Manhattan—is the large number of landmarked blocks. The integrity of the neighborhood is guaranteed by law to endure.
