living in UN Plaza

I love 845 (Trump World Tower) and find the service truly exceptional. It's a very different experience than living on 13th though.

ali r.

I know some people who moved to 860-870 UN Plaza - some very large apartments there. Always did seem a little out of the way, but I don't think these people need to use the subway.

Re: Trump building - went to a party there some years ago - very high floor, 3 BR looking south and west. THE most unbelievable panoramic views of the city - but this was a corporate use apartment, so again, don't think they used the subway much.

On the plus side, there is this great Japanese bakery about 1 block north that makes real, fresh creampuffs all the time.

Ali, do you live there? Or just know the building?
Are there places to even buy groceries over there? I don't think I could do it (my husband could, he's less lazy). But I keep going back to the listings with crazy views and thinking, "maybe it wouldn't be so bad."

and you're right near the crosstown buses on 49th and 50th.

heisenberg
33 minutes ago
ignore this person
report abuse Would you live all the way over there? Do you?

Contemplating the tradeoff of having a truly badass apartment in an area that's half a mile from the subway...

just had to google map that. hard to believe is .5 miles to subway. wow. depending on your commute the 1st and 2nd ave limited service busses are pretty efficient.

the amish market is on third and 48th (i think) and is great. morton williams 49th/2nd

"I know some people who moved to 860-870 UN Plaza - some very large apartments there. Always did seem a little out of the way, but I don't think these people need to use the subway."

Exactly. I keep thinking it's the perfect place to live if you have a car and driver. We looked at an apartment in 860 that was the most insane - and nearly the most affordable - place we've seen yet. High maintenance, though.

I didn't know about the Japanese bakery. That's pretty cool.

And just look at the views from 39C at Trump - like you could reach out and touch the Chrysler Building!!
Might make it worthwhile to take the bus if you don't want to walk to the train.

The other difference is that 860-870 is coop, (and supposedly tough board) vs. Trump condo. Trump taxes are quite high because he lost his battle with the city over assessment.

jim - the Amish market is sort of far away from un plaza, as it is at 45th between 2nd and 3rd great market though)

Heisenberg -- I'm uncertain about your principles.

ph41
10 minutes ago
stop ignoring this person
report abuse jim - the Amish market is sort of far away from un plaza, as it is at 45th between 2nd and 3rd great market though)

Wonder if they deliver? I live east of 2nd ave but in the low east 50's and walk to work, and use the busses more than the trains unless I am going across town. Still boggling that that is a half mile to subway

jim - they do deliver, though I don't know if they have some sort of limited boundaries to do so.

"Heisenberg -- I'm uncertain about your principles."

Midtowner, I don't claim to have any. But how do you get that from my postings here?

Re: But how do you get that from my postings here?

in other words, you're uncertain.

midtowner, get back to work. The attorneys need you to finish your filing and the look up a case for them.

You know, those physics jokes just don't resonate anymore:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncertainty_principle

I wasn't casting aspersions, H.

heisenberg -- I don't live there. I live in the West 90s over near RSD.

I was, however, the third of four brokers on a TWT 3-BR (it's a long story, and probably best told off board) and so spent about a year in the neighborhood. (As opposed to the Village, where I did live a decade ago).

There's a farmer's market in the park in the summer, but as far as grocery stores, you're probably heading to the Food Emporium on Second Ave (and 51st, I think).

The UN renovation was problematic at the time, since these are essentially view apartments and they were being given something not terribly attractive to look at. I think that project is still on track to being done in the next couple of years, though.

ali r.
DG Neary Realty

Re: You know, those physics jokes just don't resonate anymore:

All the smart people here got it.

"Re: You know, those physics jokes just don't resonate anymore:

All the smart people here got it."

I should have gotten it -- considering it's a username I chose in honor of the show Breaking Bad. Drrr...(Hanging head in shame)

I swear, I'm normally smart. Ish.

The fact that you referred to an apartment as "truly badass" means you should be cut considerable slack.

Hey midtowner, have you gotten the ole penis working yet?

>"Re: You know, those physics jokes just don't resonate anymore:
All the smart people here got it."
I should have gotten it -- considering it's a username I chose in honor of the show Breaking Bad. Drrr...(Hanging head in shame)
I swear, I'm normally smart. Ish.

Seriously? I made the uncertainty joke on the first day you "appeared" here on SE.

And...back to the text:
Ali, Jim and ph41, thanks for the useful input.
I wonder what life will be like over there once the 2nd ave subway is done. Higher real estate values, that's for sure.

There's Fresh Direct - everything delivered right to your apt. dooor....who needs supermarkets!!!

But that's 20 years away.

Matsonjones, I assume you mean the subway (not fresh direct). Is that true? I've been reading that it's due to be completed in 2016, but more likely in 2018. Are those pie-in-the-sky estimates?

Just passed through the area on my way home tonight and went into the Morton's Suoermarket on 2nd & 51st (ish?) have to say I really wished that was closer to Sutton. Surely beats Dagostinos.

heisenberg: I really think those dates are untenable.

fhsack
14 minutes ago
ignore this person
report abuse Just passed through the area on my way home tonight and went into the Morton's Suoermarket on 2nd & 51st (ish?) have to say I really wished that was closer to Sutton. Surely beats Dagostinos.

delivery is always an option.

As for second avenue subway, phase 1 will end at 63rd street (and run up to 92nd or so) and will become an extension of the Q. That is supposed to be done in the next 5 years or so. Phase 2 runs up to 125th street (again, as the Q line). I could be wrong, but I don't think there is funding for that yet. Phase 3 runs down to Houston (at which time the second avenue subway will be called the T and will be its own line) and I know there isn't funding for that. Phase 4 runs to Hanover Square and obviously isn't funded. Thus, heisenberg, to answer your question, the second avenue subway probably at least 20 years away from being near the trump building.

downtown, that's handy info. Thank you for filling me in (and dashing my dreams).

heisenberg, are you that averse to walking, or finding other means of transportation?

Don't live in Trump, but have been in the hood for about 20 years. Look, it's not SoHo or the UWS, but there are places for groceries/produce and everything you need to live your life. Busses are convenient, but GCT is only an 8 minute walk. The Japanese bakery is the Choux Factory, and you're also close to Sparks, Pietro's, Nanni, Tal Bagels, Yama, and more.

Spartacus, thanks - that's good to know.

Jim, I walk everywhere. But I'm spoiled by always having lived right near everything. Subway down the block, supermarket on the corner, favorite restaurants in walking distance, home in a place where people want to come over. My main issue is winter. That's when I need convenience most, or I don't leave the house. I hate the cold.

Heisenberg - make your home your home. IMHO, if people don't want to come over, then they're not your friends, and probably shouldn't be invited to your home.

BTW, I lived in Chicago for a number of years - re: the cold, a hat is KEY.

ph41, what do you hear from the people who moved to 860/870? Those are the buildings we're looking at.
Anyone else know people living there?

heisenberg - don't know if your situation is comparable. The two couples I know who moved there had sold expensive houses in the suburbs (part of change of lifestyle, kids grown, etc.). Both bought larger apartments (at least 3 Br's) and renovated (which I am told is not an easy process in the building). Both also bought view apartments. I will say that my first reaction upon hearing where they had bought was that they bought value (didn't buy 5th or Park, or CPW, which both could have afforded), large space, views, and a more modern feel than where they had been living before.

Both seem to like it a lot, but as I mentioned earlier, I don't think they use the subway (and GCT is definitely more than an 8 minute walk. There are other stops much closer).
I really think that in those buildings you go for the space and views. Particularly views (though the Macy's 4th of July fireworks have been moved to the West side which is a bummer).

it's a great neighborhood--one block east , on 1st ave you have everything you need--grocery stores,dry cleaners, restaurants, drugstores, the vanderbilt y is on 47th and 2nd ave-- the only down side (and this isn't that terrible), but when the UN hosts its annual session with the world's terrorists in september, the traffic is murder--

GCT is 8 minutes for me...add another minute or 2 from Trump, and maybe plus another 5 from 860-870. The E at 53rd and 3rd might save you a couple of minutes from there. The UN opening every September is a circus. This year, for the first time since I've been there, we had to show ID to get on the block while they were in session. Also for UN Week, I think you'd have to access the buildings' driveway and garage from the FDR, since cars can't cross to the West side of First Ave. from 46th.

Love the hood. Lived here for 15 years. Subway isn't so far...for anyeone in halfway decent physica condition. Plenty of places to buy food, etc. Great views.