UWS - 96th/Broadway - Any inisght?

Very convenient to the express stop and all services. Much less touristy area, but 96th is busy. Safe well into the night. Anything specific you'd like to know?

96th/Bwy has express subway + crosstown bus. Very convenient but busy. Not as attractive as West 70s, 80s or above 110th. Easy access to Riverside Park and Central Park. Lots of projects east of Amst. P.S. 163 at Amst/97th has g&t. P.S. 75 at WEA/96th has dual language.

Getting much better (and its already much better than 10 years ago). Really depends on what specific block. 98 and riverside is dead quiet, while 96 & broadway is pretty loud. Some very pretty housing stock as you go west.

The giganta towers up broadway will help with the yuppie influx.

Amenities are ok, not fantastic. You have a little of everything, but you'll probably find yourself walking south into UWS a bit more.

Express train is nice, assuming you don't have to go to the east side.

north of 100 and west of broadway -very nice, and gets nicer as you move up towards columbia where there are more stores, etc.

Right at that intersection it's very unpleasantly crowded, and probably always will be, but (assuming it's still a "go" in this economy) a new headhouse (similar to the one at 73rd St.) will vastly improve the subway experience.

Currently, that station more than any other epitomizes the feeling of George Tooker's 'Subway' -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/63334078@N00/2578900704/ -- only much dirtier.

I mean 96/Bway intersection

Slum--

Would you consider expanding your search area by a few blocks? West End Ave is much nicer (quieter, more attractive) to live on, and just a short walk to the amenities of B'way. Also, remember that the 96th St station has an entrance at 93rd as well, so you don't necessarily have to live near the busy cross-section to have an easy walk to the train.

Thanks guys

It seems there is alot of spacious inventory in the area. I saw a great two bedroom over the weekend and realized I didnt know much about the neighborhood.

As I research the area I am surprised at the amenities in the area. I just wanted to make sure there was not something I was overlooking as a con in the area.

Bramstar - Was thinking about that - what streets would you avoid?

avoid east of broadway from 100th to 104th

i've lived in the area for a few years - no significant cons that I can think of (other than maybe the noise from the busy intersection). it's a good place to live.

Well, if you're looking at WEA, I wouldn't necessarily say there are any streets that should be avoided. Obviously, the 96th st artery is going to be noisier by virtue of the thru traffic to and from the highway.

I live in the low 90s on WEA myself and find the amenities in the area to be pretty good. There's a Food Emporium on B'way and 89th, as well as a nice smaller market called Barzinis. Unfortunately one of the nabe's best go-to restaurants, Dock's, has recently closed but there are other decent choices in the area. Murray's Sturgeon Shop should not be missed (this little hole in the wall, which has been around for decades, has the best smoked fish in town). Equinox and NYSC gyms are both close by. Riverside Park is an easy stroll away - there are few things as nice as walking along the promenade, looking at the river and seeing the resident hawks sweep by!

Of course, if you move here you'll want to venture further afield to the wonderful Zabars, Citarella and Fairway markets.

Whole Foods is scheduled to open in August at 97 and Columbus -- and there's a farmers' market on Friday mornings on 97th between Columbus and Amsterdam. A few good restaurants: Regional (classy Italian)on Broadway & 98, Arqua (cosy Italian) on Columbus & 95, Pearl's (Chinese) on Amsterdam & 98, Malecon (hefty Dominican) on Amsterdam & 97.

Good Indian too:Indus Valley and Tandoori are both great and we like the Thai at Sook a little further up Broadway.

Slumdog,

I think the only wildcard would be any possible increase in crime due to the economy. UWS is more liberal and I'm not sure what their response to increased crime may be. (i.e you would hope its not like San Francisco where thugs rome free without prosecution because they had 'poor childhoods')

bugelrex - I am 6'7" and 275. I usully dont have any problems ;)

Once the subway station is completed, sometime in 2053, it will make a world of difference.

I live in the area, and for the most part the restaurants and other conveniences aren't nearly as good in the 96th area as the 70's or 80's.

""UWS is more liberal and I'm not sure what their response to increased crime may be.""

Huh? This statement makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Who exactly is the "their" you're referring to? Some UWS cabal that makes its own rules separate from the rest of the city? Come on, now.

Economy-driven spikes in crime are possible anywhere in the city, with fringe neighborhoods (of which the UWS is not) being most likely to get hit hardest.

Don't forget Cheesy Pizza aka Cheezy Pizza.

They have both names on the sign!

saw people got mugged at 96th between b-way and west end yesterday. three cop cars chasing two robbers. also, subway construction is very noisy (might be done by 2020). The hammer and pile can make a variety of different types of noise including impact noise as well as vibration noises of metal piles, especially in the morning. lastly, a lot of trucks pass by 96th at midnight, from the highway. 96th is pretty much the worst of that area.

bramstar,

"Their" would be the people who live in UWS, in terms of
- willingness to report crime and follow up
- supporting neighborhood coalitions to be less tolerant on crime
- will UWS folks treat burgarlies and car break ins as "victimless crime... no big deal"

Its easy for crime to get out of control if the majority of the folks in the neighborhood don't consider it serious. Why is it that some parts of Manhattan have much less crime than others?

I know someone who rented on 96th. They liked it for the accessibility, but hated the schlep up the hill. If you are on a building on WEA either 2 blocks north or 2 blocks south of 96th, it not an issue. I personally love the low 90s around WEA and the 100s around WEA. Lots of places to eat. So friendly.

keep in mind that the salvation army is on 96 between Bway and WEA and there are a couple of SRO's on 97th or 98th bet WEA and Riverside. Not the end of the world but perhaps you want to have a walk around on a Saturday night

The SRO seem to be occupied by twenty something european travelers.

Bramstar: If you're going to mention chains like Equinox and NYSC, can't you find a little love for a neighborhood institution, the Paris? A dump perhaps, but a neighborhood dump with a nice, old-fashioned pool.

Gourmet Garage has good weekly and monthly specials; the regular prices are crap. If you like cheap and dirty jazz, you'll have your choice of Cleopatra's Needle and Smoke. The taco truck on 96th is worth a try; you'll remember it all week.

I was mugged on WEA and 95th in 1973 - my only contact with the neighborhood's vast criminal element.

Nobody mentioned Symphony Space! Fun, eclectic programming, and some very good dance groups from time to time.

Bugelrex, that's the dumbest thing I've read all day.

Newsflash: the entire borough of Mamhattan is liberal and crime is low.

RR1,
You could also say... Manhattan is liberal and crime was high...until Rudy came along and dropped the hammer on social liberal attitudes

what buildings in this area are good for renting? i'm looking for a 1br sub-$2500

I've heard mixed things about the Greystone (not anything *very* recently, strangely), but it might be in your price range.

thats the one with the mice and AWFUL reviews!?

As always, check out your proposed neighborhood at night and in the early morning hours.

What I don't like about the UWS compared with the UES is the greater on-street congestion. Starbucks on the UWS is always mobbed, it seems to me. (I'm talking UWS around 72nd St and B'way).

Yeah - Broadway between 86th and 98th isn't like that at all. Those Starbuckeseses have pretty reasonable wait times.

And, yes, the Greystone is the one with the bad reviews. I'm not sure how much stock I place in those reviews, since there's a substantial group of highly-interested stabilized tenants who have aggressively fought the conversion in a bunch of ways. Also, Carmine's is in the ground floor, and Big Daddy's coming in also, so I *hope* the building doesn't have a big mouse problem. To be clear, though - I did check it out, and decided against living there.

To get a 1br for less than $2500 in this neighborhood, you're going to have to make some compromises.

What about the new Columbus Square project (above/around the Whole Foods)? According to their website, 1br's start at $2500 (factoring in the free rent).

Convenient location with express + crosstown bus. Easy access to CP and Riverside Parks + tennis courts. Gourmet Garage and Whole Foods nearby. Also, close enough to Zabars, Fairway, Citarella to shop there. Decent schools: PS 75 for dual language and PS 163 for g&t.