Why the Upper West Side is the best neighborhood in New York City
Video Overview & Insights
New York City, especially Manhattan, is very walkable and you can easily live without a car. Basically the only 15 minute city in the United States.
Disagree, a lot of the people who live there are pretty insufferable. They're rich "suburban-like" NIMBYs, who don't think they're rich. A lot of old entitled people.
There are many great neighborhoods in NYC like Soho, the Lower East side, the Upper East Side, or the Financial District.
But a neighborhood in New York City that has remained relatively unchanged since WW2 is the Upper West Side.
My first time visiting NYC I stayed in the Upper West Side and I'm glad I did. It was a brownstone, tree lined street, less than a block from the subway station and Central Park. It wasn't that expensive either. Granted, I shared a furnished basement space with a mattress on the floor with only a mini locker to secure valuables (I think there was one other person staying there?) but wasn't bad. I agree having the Natural History museum, Central and Riverside Park, the Lincoln Center, beautiful iconic buildings like the Dakota nearby . . . as in the words of Larry David . . . pretty . . . pretty . . . pretty good.
With Timeless architecture sandwiched between two iconic scenic parks, Central Park and Riverside Park. You canât go wrong.
So the next time you travel to New York City, stay in the best neighborhood - The Upper West Side. And from there you can explore all the other New York City Attractions and places to go.
Iâve lived in the UWS for 5 years now and I love this neighborhood.
Image credit
https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pomander_Walk-2.jpg
R.I.P to Absolute bagels
https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lincoln_Center_Operahouse_(25539636664).jpg
https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:USA-NYC-American_Museum_of_Natural_History.JPG
If you are well off the upper west side can be a great place to live. But ever since the 19th century artists, playwriters and not yet known actors have made Greenwich Village their "sanctuary for free thinkers, and those brave enough to speak truth to power". You got money, you can order a bagel and lox at Zabars. You work at Zabars then you cant afford to live there too.
https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shakespeare_in_the_Park_July_2021.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c0/Toms_Restaurant_%287319156568%29.jpg
I honestly donât get the fascination with New York. From a European point of view itâs just crime, trash, absurd rents and a lifestyle that feels more like punishment than living. Do people go there looking for some kind of theme park for suffering? How hollow must be your life?
Resource credit
https://datausa.io/profile/geo/upper-west-side-west-side-puma-ny
I like DUMBO better. A 5 minute ferry â´ď¸ ride and youâre in Manhattan for $4.50.
https://censusreporter.org/
I live in the upper west side on Central Park
More User Perspectives
UWS FOREVER
@johnadamfaheyfahey2372Totally agree, best neighbourhood indeed.
@alejandrowirthphotoThe UWS is a great hood but really.... hasn't changed since WW2??? Best neighborhood in NYC??? Hardly. It is VERY busy, with lots of traffic, noise and out of work actors and actresses who will never "make it" and it's fairly dirty. No thanks. But the highlights you mention are great including the museums, although you failed to mention the Hayden Planetarium! Lincoln Center? In all, very much worth visiting but not for long and certainly not the best.
@josephciolino5493I remember 3 months ago, we stayed at a hotel there and I thought to myself âYeah. Maybe Iâd love to live here someday.â
@benjaminfischer3229The US is the last place I would ever visit
@GK-up6xzThank you for sharing.đ
@LMays-cu2hpI lived there for 14 yrs & loved that experience
@jeffreybilkanich2886Living here for a couple years now and I think it is the best location to live in all of America
@Ares__Way too many Jews in UWS
@DOPEdwarfYes sir Iâve been saying this for last 20 years grew up in 93 n Columbus ave
@bigsil5710I live in the south bronx but i love the UWS brother
@rmbx4894I was living there for long time and I was so happy to lived in this ĂĄrea.
@jorgemartinezperez3868Your arrow is pointing to the upper east side in your opening slide.
@cinema104The architecture of the neighborhood feels super charming. The fact that you can eat and shop within a block from Central Park is amazing. A lot of people who like the West Village vibe, but prefer more space and less commotion generally move to the upper west side.
My first video was actually made about the upper West side . Iâm going to be making one comparing the upper east side to the upper west.
Pros and cons on living in the upper west side
https://youtu.be/QA7pzHF_DiM?si=qcJbgayMqrLbAM0H
I was born and raised in L.A., but I've lived on the Upper West Side for 52 years. You're right! 99.5% of Americans have no idea what city living is. It's really a shame.
@cantorsteveAgreed!
@zandvoort8616It's a great place to live, other than the constant rye muggings.
@clhoundThe UWS is such a great neighborhood.
@GenF91Upper West Side, also known as the Upper Left Side, the intellectual heart of NYC and, frankly, the USA. There's no place like home!
@edwardcone6860I live in New York-- it is super glamorous until you have to take the subway.... that's why I only have my driver take me in my Bentley.... I would never subway its dangerous after the Adams administration <3
@RichManhattanitedo not visit riverside park.... we dont need more tourists... its locals only please.... you can stay in central park south please <3
@RichManhattaniteI live in upper east side and my belongings are stored on the upper west side.... so.... please stay away <3 we only want luxury <3
@RichManhattanite411 West End Ave. was home for my childhood. the Natural History Museum a regular playground. Zebras the local market smaller than it is today. I totally agree with you. There are great hotels as well I always stay nthere when I go back.
@gracechaffee2960Itâs a great neighborhood. The park, plenty of restaurants, Broadway not far away, the Macyâs parade comes through there, itâs great.
@hothotheat3000Never been, but hoping to go someday. Is central park crawling with homeless people? Seems like it would be.
@jm7804a $500 dollar a day lifestyle in nyc!!
@sharinawatkins6739I lived on 106 and Amsterdam Ave in the 80s and love having access to local and express trains and a plethora of shops and restaurants.
BUT I also lived in Brooklyn Heights years ago and boy has that area blossomed!! The Promenade is now an afterthought with the opening of Brooklyn Bridge Park. Just amazing what they've done to that neighborhood and what they are continuing to add!
If there was any neighborhood I would call home for the rest of my life it would be Brooklyn Heights. However as I got older I've come to love Bay Ridge Brooklyn. Ironically it was an area I absolutely avoided like the plague and now as I've gotten older, I love it! đâ¤
Thank you NYC.
From 70 to 85 st it is great. After that it is not interesting at all. Would I trade it for Noho? Never. Can I afford south Manhattan prices? No
@cezartbI love all of New York. The 6 visits Iâve had, I stay at the St. Marks in the east village. My favorite neighborhood â¤ď¸
@elizabethmorrissey621You literally gave zero reasons why that's a good neighborhood what a terrible video
@MMAFan20The Upper Westside is the âsuburbsâ of NYC. Itâs for families and settling down lol. BUT youâre still in NYC. So if thatâs your bag, youâll love it. I love the UWS. I love living on Broadway. I donât have kids and Iâm single tho. So itâs really for everybody.
@TG-rf5ufI like the "Caption"!! Not Staying Here is a Mistake"!! Unless you are a Multi- Multi- Millioniar, you couldn't Afford to Park your Car there for Half an Hr. That Real Estate is only for people who haven't a Clue as to how Normal Humans Live.
@gailcurl8663Upper West Side is by far my favorite place to stay in NYC.
@juancarlosnunezf96I feel so lucky having been able to stay in the Upper West Side for free, cat sitting for my friend whenever she was out of town for a month or two. It never lost its charm.
@Tiff-wy4ivI lived in NYC for decades. Rarely do I ever go to the Upper West side. NHM maybe. Itâs lame.
@GrinGillismy fav neighborhood
@Blawy96Arguable if the UWS is "the best" neighborhood in NYC. What you described can be had in most of Manhattan districts. And what does it mean to be "the best"? Yes, the UWS is fantastic. I think there is no argument that it is better than the UES. But not sure if it's "better" than the Villages or SOHO. It all depends which stage of life you're in. If you're in your 20s, Lower Manhattan is going to be much better. If you're in your 60s, the UWS will be preferable. Also, Murray's Bagels is as good as it gets.
@Edmond347You have got to be kidding! NYC has turned into one gigantic sewer. So glad I left it in my rear view mirror not long ago.
@DylanGirl1963I have spent nearly two months visiting NYC, just loved it... wanted so much to live there... I called it Disneyland for adults. This was in the 80s and 90s . Now.... not worth the hotel bill.
@edwardharley9The Far West Village is 6 times more bustling than the West Side Uptown.
@JackMason-oq8lfNew York Magazine called it the dullest neighborhood in New York. No contest.
@JackMason-oq8lfWhile in college we'd catch great music acts for a few bucks at Ungano's 69 &bdway
@roadtrip2943