Does UWS always have fewer listings than UES?

Because the UWS is a narrow little strip, and the UES (broadly defined) is a huge wide swath of land?
Because the UWS has, on average, lower buildings than the UES?
Because certain prime UES buildings are full-service?

Thanks, alanhart. Didn't occur to me, given all the subway lines in the UWS, that UWS is narrower... and also about the height of the bldgs... makes sense.

yes, UES is much bigger. You can even play with the n/s boundaries as much as you want.... east side is just significantly wider...

or think about it this way.... leave out broadway the diagonal, CPW to amsterdam/columbus to west end riverside... none of those are incredibly long (versus say a 5th to 6th).... UES gets 5 to mad to park to lex to 3 to 2 to 1 to york and possibly beyond (the low numbers getting pretty wide)

"Why are there so many more UES apts? And why are UES apts have such high maintenance?"

That's because the UES sucks and no one really wants to live there.

little JM must be a good sleeper, because older JM is out in force.

JM, that's not really very friendly, no? too many trips in the hello kitty car for you, trying to distract the very young one?

Just trying to tell it like it is. It is an opinion of course, but a valuable data point for someone new to the city looking at the neighborhood.

jm, are you on crack? an opinion, yes. but to tell someone that the UES sucks and no one really wants to live there?

i'm not so into the UES, although i'm not into the UWS also. but how f'ng superior can you get?

I would say the likelihood of finding a 2br under $700K is probably greater on the UES east of third than on the UWS (south of 110th). Best chances would probably be a small elevator building or walk up and there are more of those on the east side. The west side is predominantly larger buildings and townhouses, although there are some tenements. I'm assuming school is an issue otherwise with that budget I'd recommend looking in Harlem or Hudson/Washington Heights. Actually I've heard that there is a school in either Washington Heights or Inwood that is very good, perhaps you should look into that option.

"jm, are you on crack?"

No.

"but how f'ng superior can you get?"

Why am I being superior? If someone asked me about the West Villiage vs. the UWS I would tell them I like the West Village better. Saying that people don't want to live in the UES is not new news and I personally think it sucks. Just like steve doesn't like LIC or somewhereelse doesn't like the UWS. In my opinion and experience, the UES is not the first choice of where folks want to live and that has an impact on listing inventory as well as cost per square foot. So what is superior about that AR (or was your comment influenced by the red)? Why are you so worried about my opinion?

Did you see this apt? Very charming building, great block:

http://www.corcoran.com/property/listing.aspx?Region=NYC&listingid=1908556

They are out there...you should consider looking uptown towards Morningside heights, where you might be able to get more for your money.

http://nychousewhisperer.blogspot.com/

Here's a new one of mine, a new two bedroom two bath on Roosevelt Island. This is a land lease with the City of New York for the next 60 years, which is one reason why it is priced less than comparable properties.

http://streeteasy.com/nyc/sale/489061-condo-415-main-street-roosevelt-island-new-york

The F train is the subway to the island, the tram is fast and fun but is being shut down temporarily for renovation in March.

Thanks, all. I do prefer UWS (around 96th ST) but will look at morningside heights area. Columbia area is $$$, too, because Columbia just snatches everything up. I used to live in UES and while it's great for many, I feel like it's not for us.

nshipley, yes, I've been looking at that for a while. Still not taken.. Still 725k. I feel more comfortable with 650k but 700k is our true limit. 725k.. can't do.

kharby2; thanks! But can't go to Roosevelt island. it'll take too long to commute to work...

I am also checking out Harlem, but Harlem is not cheap, either. There are some 2Bed apt for $700k-$750k between 116th & 120th ST, but I noticed while the space is bigger, better amenities in the bldg, more luxurious apt/bldg, prices are not cheaper than the low end 2bed UWS apts.

This is a nice development. I have a customer buying here. They may be negotiable enough for you to get what you want. http://www.halstead.com/detail.aspx?id=1767034. Not to mention a tax abatement for many years makes it a good deal.

UES is also completely glutted with jr4s masquerading as 2-bedrooms. When you look at what you're actually buying - a large, chopped-up one-bedroom, often with a *tiny* 2nd bedroom and/or a strange layout, you realize that while there seems to be more inventory a lot of is is just overpriced 1-bedrooms a long trek from the subway. Keep looking and keep your options open.

evnyc is correct and its not just UES...many "2 bedrooms" are converted jr 4s. That may be a trade off you are willing to make, but I always thought it was awkward even looking at the 2nd bed as an office. Everyone has different priorities....

I just compare the prices between the "2br" and the unconverted 1brs in the same line. Almost invariably the converted jr4s insist that putting up a wall - a $500-$1000 project - means their property is somehow worth $50-$100k more than the exact same unconverted layout. It happens throughout the city but seems to be particularly concentrated on the UES, so I've just stopped looking there altogether.