When future New Yorkers fantasize about living large in New York Citayyy, there’s often one cinematic neighborhood topping their dreams. And no wonder. It’s featured so frequently in movies and T.V. shows (we’re looking at you, Sex and the City!) that it’s practically a main character. That’s right: we’re talking about the Upper East Side.
It’s a land of storied residences (yup, John Steinbeck lived there). A place where seemingly everything is manicured — from hands to boxwood bushes. Where the museums almost outnumber Starbucks. (Almost.) Did we mention the Michelin-starred restaurants and boutiques that could go toe to well-heeled-toe with anything in Paris?
But the Upper East Side is so much more than upscale shops and celebrity homes. It’s home to museums, parks, bars, and restaurants, and has a wide variety of housing, ranging from mansions to public housing developments and from rental buildings to townhouses. It’s got something for everyone!
Check out the Upper East Side episode of our Know the Neighborhood video series below, and then read on to learn more about this illustrious swath of Manhattan.
Why Is the Upper East Side a Great Place To Live?
For a good reason, characters like Carrie Bradshaw and Holly Golightly lived their exceedingly stylish lives on the Upper East Side. “I love the Upper East Side — especially its energy and vibe,” says Francine Crocker, a licensed associate real estate broker for Corcoran who has been living on the Upper East Side for 25 years. “There are many different kinds of people living on the Upper East Side — it’s an exciting place to live.”
Not only that, but the area that spans from 59th to 96th Streets between the East River and Central Park is chockablock with smaller residential communities. As New York City-born Robin J Roy, licensed real estate salesperson for Corcoran, will tell you: “The Upper East Side is a combination of many neighborhoods. There’s no single Upper East Side.” Included among the many smaller areas that make up the area? Laid-back Yorkville to the east (where Gracie Mansion now stands); Lenox Hill (which edges the park, with ultra-glamorous residences); and Carnegie Hill (flanked by Neo-Gothic mansions and brownstones).
Upper East Side Homes Under $1M on StreetEasy Article continues below
How Much Does It Cost To Buy or Rent on the Upper East Side?
It depends on which part of the neighborhood and which type of housing you’re considering. “The closer you are to Central Park, the higher the downpayment for co-ops,” says Crocker. As of August 2023, the median asking price on the Upper East Side was $1.9 million. Yes, home prices on the Upper East Side can be as high as New York City skyscrapers.
But if you head north and east, toward the Yorkville section of the neighborhood, you can find homes available at significantly lower price points. As of this writing, there are nearly 350 available Upper East Side homes on StreetEasy priced at or below $750,000. Like we said, something for everyone.
If you’d prefer to rent on the Upper East Side, you can also find a wide range of options. As of August 2023, the median asking rent in the neighborhood was $3,990, which is below Manhattan’s median asking rent of $4,300. But there are currently just under 300 Upper East Side apartments available to rent at or below $3,000, so don’t fret if $3,900 is well over your max budget!
Interested in buying a home on the Upper East Side (or anywhere in NYC)? Our complimentary licensed Concierge will match you with a top buyer’s agent and answer any questions you may have about the buying process.
Are There Parks or Other Outdoor Spaces?
The Upper East Side is famous for straddling one infamous green space: Central Park. (Discover more Central Park neighborhoods.) Former Upper East Side resident Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis used to jog the 1.58-mile track around the circa 1858 reservoir, which sits between 86th and 96th streets. She ran it so often that the city eventually named it after her.
But if it’s solace you seek, there are plenty of lush and leafy places to find it on the Upper East Side. One neighborhood fave: the manicured 14.9-acre Carl Schurz Park, tucked along the East River at 86th Street. It’s stocked with two dog runs and Instagrammable views of Gracie Mansion, plus eye candy flower gardens. (Look for white hibiscus, canna lilies, and dahlias the size of dinner plates).
Upper East Side Rentals Under $3000 Article continues below
What To Eat, Drink, and Do
“I just love walking up Madison Avenue because it’s like a fair, it’s like a ride — there’s all this magical stuff going on!” Crocker says. She adores that the Upper East Side has “amazing museums — and locals in the area can just pop in!” That’s right, the places folks travel from literally around the globe to see are right in your proverbial backyard when you live in the Upper East Side. Of note: the jaw-dropping museums on Fifth Avenue’s Museum Mile. They range from the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Guggenheim to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Gustav Klimt’s works are on permanent display at the Neue Gallery in their galleries devoted to Viennese art from the 19th century.
Of course, the restaurants are some of the best on the planet, too. Foodies flock here for Michelin-starred meals at Sushi Noz (built to resemble a Kyoto temple, complete with a bar made from 200-year-old Hinoki wood) and Daniel, the namesake of star chef Daniel Boulud. One of Crocker’s faves is Le Bilboquet, where she says the endive salade and poulet (cajun) chicken are a must. One of her top spots to go for a tipple? The Lowell, which is “so stunning and beautiful,” she says. “It’s a jewel box.”
Manhattan Homes Under $750K on StreetEasy Article continues below
How Far Is the Upper East Side From Midtown?
Real estate agents say one of the best things about living on the Upper East Side is the sheer convenience factor. You can walk — yes, walk — to some of New York City’s most iconic sights, including Central Park and seemingly bottomless museum options. You can even saunter to Midtown. Want to stroll from, say, the Guggenheim to Times Square? You can zip there on foot in a breezy 45 minutes. Of course, if you’re crunched for time, you can hop on the 4, 5, or 6 train at 86th Street and land at Grand Central on 42nd Street in a mere 14 minutes. Or catch the relatively recent Second Avenue Q train at 96th, 86th, or 72nd Streets and get to Times Square or Herald Square in just a few stops. Easy peasy!
