choose btw 2 west side locations same psf

My choice is more emotional, the CPW Apt.in the low 70's. I don't like the feel of CPS it doesn't feel like a neighbor hood, it feels like you are in the business district. CPW in the 70's on the other hand I absolutely adore, must admit I am bias as I live on 73rd near CPW.

I understand intellectually that direct park views, especially the extreme vastness of green you get from CPS trumps oblique views, however location and South exposure would be more important to me (especially over North).
Investment wise I think the size of the apt. comes in to play, perhaps the CPS apt would come closer if it was a studio or 1 bedroom for that large segment of single guys wanting to be close to work, with the impressive view etc. Whereas I think most people looking for a 2 plus or family size apt would prefer the upper west side, especially with a CPW address.

Half of CPS will always smell like horse poop, with summer being especially pungent and NYC tourists are wonderful in small batches, but everyday on your doorstep....

apts are family size, one is a 7 room and the other is a 6.

I used to live on CPS. HATED it. Also, the hotels have all their linen/garbage trucks come in the middle of the night on 58th Street. Stay away.

Too many tourists.

What a lovely dilemma. I agree with the others -- I'd go with CPW in the 70s. Unless this is a pied-a-terre, in which case the hustle and bustle (and convenience) of CPS might be welcome.

UWS absolutely especially if there is a family involved. The only families CPS is friendly for are those from Iowa. I don't even know where it could be zoned for school? UWS? Hell's Kitchen? Bloomingdale's are?

>CPS apt with direct park views

Depends -- a lot -- on the cross street.

On a straight choice between locales with everything else equal CPW wins. CPS is a bizzare non nabe with all the hotels. The only upside is proximity to Petrossian's croissants. Which could also be a downside 15 lbs from now. On a side note there are some truly ugly buildings on CPS so if your comparing god awful post war to classic pre war...CPW wins again.

I don't really know the area, but I'm guessing Location-wise, possibly $$$-wise - CPS is more valuable. 5th avenue, TWC all bring up its value.
But neighborhood-wise, you'd probably like living on CPW better.

I don't think you'll go wrong either way, it's personal choice. Walk around both. Both will be great.

No way would I live on Central Park South; the horse crap smell is disgusting.

unit is btw 5th and 6th aves closer to 5th ave

Wow, so no one on this board would live on Central Park South over UWS?

First, consider most of us would be lucky to have the choice between these two apts.
You also didn't really give us much information so ppl are basing entirely on neighborhood.

But I will say don't underestimate the prestige of 5th avenue/CPS. That could be arguably one of the most valuable areas in manhattan.

the unit on CPS is larger (and therefore more expensive, but psf is same) the unit on CPW is smaller but could accomodate a family. CPS unit is a post war, the CPW is pre war and the building has a few more amenities (a gym and playroom). what I would like is the unit with more space to be in the CPW location, so i guess the real question is it better to have more space with a better view or less space with a better location. We live in mid-town west now and acutally like it, despite it being a busy and commercial area that has many hotels/tourists/but not the horses. the horse sh-t is a concern for me. why does bloomberg not get rid of that??

My vote is for the pre-war CPW with amenities and a little less space.

Personally if I had to live on CPS near Fifth I would probably murder a tourist on a weekly basis.

CPS is one of my least favorite streets in the entire city, horribly crowded, full of yukky hotels and I believe the phrase "horse poop" was used in one of the posts above, that is the first thing I think of when I hear CPS--this street is the worst--CPW hands down

notsure: i just saw your post on UB - gotcha!

i ran your dilemma by my husband. he would choose CPS w/ direct park views. I would choose CPW/70's, but i'm a location kind of gal. however, i think murray from sesame street tapes some scenes from the corner of CPS and 5th which is exciting for the whole family! as others mentioned, it's a lovely dilemma.

notsure - i just read your last post. if the location doesn't bother you and you have a family, i would select more space + more views.

NYC10023 - you have totally busted me!
UWSMOM - thanks. Your husband and mine are in agreement. You are correct, we don't live too far from there now and actually really like the conveniece of midtown living. Which surprised me. I lived for more than 10 years on the UWS (high 70s) which I also liked but I was single then and not having to walk far to go to a decent neighborhood bar was important. Anyway, tourists don't bother me or maybe I am used to them. Horse poop does, but you can't have everything + apt is not on a low floor. Thanks to all for the input, I am still "notsure" so maybe we will just keep looking. Plus, this just happened, our landlord reduced our rent! So hard to justify buying.

Yeah, I haven't been on UB in a long time, but went back there to post after the letters (private school K admissions).

I'm biased as a long-time UWSer. Everything I do is primarily centered around the UWS, not sure what living on CPS would get me - other than quicker access to the park for runs.

Hope your DC got the school you wanted!

Nah, complete and utter "shutout".

Sorry to hear that! Any WL? Or maybe you are zoned for a good public?

No WL, already in public K. Wondering if I should keep pursuing private options next year or give it a rest. Kid would benefit from smaller classes and more interesting curriculum. Only applied to 3 schools (just way too much going on with expecting #3, blablabla last year). We both spent significant amounts of time at private schools ourselves and benefited tremendously. Feels weird to "deny" kids private school. I better stop before this turns into UB.

Ah, bummer. I would try one more time, not sure how old your other kids are but maybe apply again when one of your younger kids is applying to K. I know someone that did that successfully. Heard it was hard for the "off years" this year as many schools overaccepted last year. Things will even out in time, keep at it. Good luck.

Yeah, we're lucky to have a public option that's decent. We went public over private initially because of the real possibility that we'd be shutout from zoned school if we didn't sent the eldest when we did. So at least, we're have a lock on the zoned school now. 30k+ isn't chump change and certainly buys a lot of enrichment (in theory).

CPS is terrible. Charmless, sticks like horse $h!^ and feels like midtown.