ariel vs. linden vs. harrison

We live right near the Ariel towers and love the neighborhood (have a 2 year old). The playgrounds at Riverside park are great and you are close to CP also. We used to live a block from where the Harrison is and liked that neighborhood too (pre-kids days though). I think that area of the UWS (70's) gets too crazy on the weekends with tourists and I actually prefer the Ariel area because it is not as congested. It is also a much more diverse area, which we like. I am told that there are some good pre-schools and k-garten's, but our little one is not that old yet. Can't go wrong either place. Good luck.

There's also 200 West End Ave, Avery, Element, 10 West End Ave and I think one or two more.

IMHO, you really can't go wrong on the UWS with kids. I prefer being closer to Lincoln Center myself.

Linden at 78th will not be built and ready for occupancy until early 2010. Harrison 76th will be ready by early 2009. Ariel at 99th and 100th will be ready by early 2008, but only the $3 million+ apartments are left. The Upper West Side rocks, but just be prepared for paying $2,000 per square foot and $2 per month per square foot in maintenance and RE taxes. The most desireable area of the UWS has migrated north to the West 80s and even the West 90s. The West 60s are now an extension of Time Square, Midtown, and tourist land. Even the West 70s are getting to crowded and noisy. West 80s and West 90s are calmer, quieter, more family oriented, and more for locals. If you want to save some money, look in the West 100s, West 110s, and even in the areas of Harlem that are just north of Central Park (south of West 123rd Street). Good luck!

OP here. Thank you all for the advice. Very helpful.

http://corcoran.com/property/latestlistings.aspx?Region=NYC&FP=NL&SRType=S

still a bunch of cheaper apt in ariel available