Best Nabe for empty-nest couple in early 50s

The perfect hood sounds like a town in Westchester County. Visit and fio. You'll get great opinions here -- but you need to be in the midst of the human blood clot and figure out which zip code will work for you.

Thanks for the suggestion, but we are really thinking about being in Manhattan. If we are going to be in the city, we want the city experience.

Upper East

Search talk for "retired", there's a thread already, maybe slightly older than you.

East 50's is great - close to everything, quiet, lots of good values. The area around the 59th St Bridge can be a little loud, but lots of nice quiet streets with doorman buildings between 48th and 57th Sts and 3rd Ave and the river.

Pros:

Can walk to the theater and to work
20 min from LGA and 40 min from JFK
Lots of subways at 53rd and 59th
Lots of resturants and places to grab a drink
Great doctors and dentists within walking distance
Food shopping will improve when Whole Foods opens on 57th
Close to just about everything in Manhattan - no more than $20 in a cab gets you anywhere from here

Cons:

A little "businessy" because it is in midtown
Less character than UWS or even UES
Proximity to the UN can be a distraction a few times a year
Traffic on 1st and 2nd Aves
Parking is expensive - you are competing with well off people who drive to work for garage spaces

$5k per month would get you a great place in this neighborhood.

I would not live in midtown - very soulless. Walk around the east and west 60s, 70s, 80s. Probably the best for a new NYC couple - the park is a great resource.

"We also want to be fairly close to the subway for easy access to different places in the city. It looks like my office will be in Midtown East. We don't necessarily have to live in Midtown though."

Stick to the East Side, otherwise you'll be spending half your life in the dreaded west-to-east-back-to-west schlep. But stay as close as possible to the Lexington Avenue corridor, if you're hoping to be "fairly close" to the subway.

Otherwise, I'd recommend Brooklyn Heights. Perfect for your demographic, tons of restaurants, and it's one of the most attractive (if not THE most attractive) neighborhood in the city. And easy access to virtually every subway line in the city puts you just about anywhere within a matter of minutes.

I agree with Lanzz - east 50's puts you in easy access to theater, restaurants, museums, and shopping. You don't need schools, so why do UWS or UES, which are not really in easy access to all of that.

East of 2nd (or 1st) has some very lovely, charming streets, with lots of pre-war if that is your desire. And some very good values.

Others on this board have suggested Central Park South, which is one of the most non-NY neighborhoods I can think of. But is probably one of the best for a pied a terre in the city because of access to so much the city has to offer.

East 50's through East 70's. Close to all you want, plus museums, routes out of city if you drive, plus close to best hospitals and docs in NYC should you ever need that. You can walk everwhere, take many bus routes or subway, cabs are plentiful.

Another vote for Midtown East. Between First Ave and Sutton Place, South of 57th Street. Lot's of mom and pop stores on First Ave along with banks, supermarkets, movie theaters, and every other store you can think of for daily living. Lots of restaurants, diners and Pubs on First and Second Avenue. Bed Bath and Beyond, T.J. Maxx, Container Store, Home Depot, Whole Foods, Bloomingdales, and Saks all within a short walk.

>plus close to best hospitals and docs in NYC should you ever need that

Sounds depressing

>T.J. Maxx, Container Store

But NOW you are talking!!

I'll Throw in a vote for the Village/West Village. If you stay close to the E train at either West 4th or 14th you will have an easy commute to midtown east (at 53rd street E runs East into Queens and stops on on the avenues). Another option for you to explore.

@matt a lot of restaurants in Brooklyn Heights?

Keith Burkhardt
The Burkhardt group

">T.J. Maxx, Container Store

But NOW you are talking!!"

We know you're much to high class to shop in stores like that. Make me laugh. LOL!

Im sure you will hit 7700 posts today hbooger---keep plugging away!

midtown east.
It has everything you are looking for.
Walk to shopping, Central Park, MOMA, restaurants, bars, subways.
You can walk to work.
I recently moved from that area after living there for 13 years. Very safe and clean streets.
East 50's, west of second Ave.

Hey Jim, what does your wife do on U.S. Independence Day? Clean the apartment?

oh, you two guys!

10 posts to a milestone, keep going!

You really seem to have a problem with Hispanics, and immigrants in general. Perhaps you should move to Arizona to be with like minded folks.

"East 50's, west of second Ave"

I think you meant EAST of Second Avenue.

Third Ave. is west of second ave. East 50's still on the East side , until you cross Fifth Ave., where it becomes west 50's.

First Ave. is east of Second Ave.The East River is east of First Ave.

Thank you for the idiotic geography lesson truth.

Now i can stop using the path of the sun for my east/west orientation.

Yea Close to Home Depot, thats a great reason to move to NYC.
Another post that should be on the thread . Stupid things brokers say.

& only reason to move to ME is if you cant afford to live any where else in Manhattan. ME is the last stop you'll make before the grave yard. You are still young for crying out loud, move to midtown east when you turn 80, then you'll fit in.

Yoi pick one fucking store you dont like in the mix and it invalidates it? You area piece of garbage brooks. And you know it.

where does a piece of garbage rank next to a piece of shit?

>Brooks- 50SPS (your favorite price chopper building) is not the entirety of the East 50's.
I don't live there and I still think it's near a lot that NY has to offer (and I am not 80, not even close)

Possibly you can't afford the pre-war classic 6 or 7 that you would like in the neighborhood.

And perhaps I can. Just because I feel that ME feels like a grave yard does not mean I can't afford it. It's the cheapest place in Manhatran.... For good reason

Cheaper than harlem? Yorkville? Les?

jim_hones10, there's really no need for you to address Truth in that tone.

jim: I was responding to RENY.
You're welcome for your idiotic response.

Now we know why so many out of towners look up while out on the street.
Their rental brokers give directions to apt. showings by checking their sundial watches.

>where does a piece of garbage rank next to a piece of shit?

Is that a philosophical question, or was there a practical implication that we need to address urgently? Such as: Jim's wife has to pick up the garbage in the house during the marriage, but does the agreement between Jim and her extend to her cleaning up Jim's shit? What about the baby's?

Yabba-dabba-doo-doo!

"Third Ave. is west of second ave. East 50's still on the East side , until you cross Fifth Ave., where it becomes west 50's.

First Ave. is east of Second Ave.The East River is east of First Ave."

So you're recommending that they move right into the heart of the business district as opposed to the residential area of Sutton Place which is EAST of Second Avenue. Great advice!

Brooksie can't afford to live in Manhattan, that is; until the market crashes and he scoops up all the deals at $200 a sqft. LOL!!!!!!!

Keep waiting it ain't happening not even in Midtown East. LOL!!

Check out Eastern Brooklyn (East New York, Brownsville, City Line, Cypress Hills), you can probably find some deals there, more in your price range........... Ha, Ha, Ha!!!!!!

Prices in ME are dropping like a knife. Don't worry, I'm not buying there no matter how cheap it gets. Just makes me laugh that when dopes like you see the value of their homes drop, they try to sell it by saying Home Depot is there. Me is a grave yard especially on Sutton and to the west to 1st. And anything on 56th, 57th and 1st has constant 59th street bridge traffic that is loud. There's a crossing guard there for Christ sake.
Additionally, 1st ave in ME reminds of the Bronx, with many vacant burnt out buildings.
If you are an empty nester and want to movie to Manhattan you don't want to move to ME. And saying theres a Home Depot there is only a good selling point if you are going to buy one of those vacant fixer uppers on 1st.

Yea, I looked to buy in the area then realized what a complete sh1t hole the area was with prices continuing to plummet ... No fUking way.

Brooks2
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And perhaps I can. Just because I feel that ME feels like a grave yard does not mean I can't afford it. It's the cheapest place in Manhatran.... For good reason

jim_hones10
about 14 hours ago
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Cheaper than harlem? Yorkville? Les?

Explain how it is cheaper than any of the other three neighborhoods I listed.

If your wife wasn't stuck with you, which of those neighborhoods would she be living in?

Brooksie: "Additionally, 1st ave in ME reminds of the Bronx, with many vacant burnt out buildings. "

Give me some addresses of "Many vacant burnt out buildings" on First Avenue in the East 50's. You must be hallucinating again! LOL!

You be suprised how many people would love to have Home Depot within a few block walk of their front door, especially someone moving into a new apartment. But for Bon Vivants, like you, they can shop in Bloomingdales and Saks! LOL!

Have you noticed all the new stores and restaurants that recently opened within 10 blocks, Nealy's, The Smith, Bon Chon, Off The Wall Yogurt, Grata, Dopo Teatro East, Siros, Sprigs, Brabrant Belgian, Tony DiNapoli, 1 Bite Mediterranean, new and expanded Jubilee, additionally 3 new restaurants opening on 2nd Ave in the next month or two and another 2 on First Avenue, new high school, new grade school. And I'm sure you know a 59 Story building with 78,000 sqft of retail, in addition to Whole Foods, is going up on 2nd Avenue and 57th Street.

Sounds like a real "graveyard".!

Check out Brooklyn East, more your style. LOL!!

Go take a walk south down 1st have starting on 59th go to 49th, you'll see them all as you take your Southerly stroll.
Btw, I could have sworn Tony DiNapolis( if you think that is fine Italian cuisine that is a whole other story) is in the mid60s not in the 50s, but of course a REbroker never let's a little BS get in the way of utter BS they spout.

Isn't there a Smith in the LES? Great comparison. J hones can even tell you that.

And a lot of night live on 2nd ave in the mid 50s, attracts a crowd from the outer or b & t to the wee morning hours. Yea keep touting the night life, you are a fool

jim_hones10
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Brooks2
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And perhaps I can. Just because I feel that ME feels like a grave yard does not mean I can't afford it. It's the cheapest place in Manhatran.... For good reason

jim_hones10
about 14 hours ago
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Cheaper than harlem? Yorkville? Les?

Explain how it is cheaper than any of the other three neighborhoods I listed.

Care to address the bullshit in your statement above? Of course, brooks won't let a little thing like data get in the way of his making a false statement.

Meant, attracts a crowd from the Outer boroughs

Jim, does your daughter call your hired help "mommy"?

Yea I'd compare ME to the LES, Jim sounds to me that's why you like it there. Attracts a lot from the outer boroughs

Outer boros, or outer countries?

Brooks2
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Yea I'd compare ME to the LES, Jim sounds to me that's why you like it there. Attracts a lot from the outer boroughs

This isn't about my neighborhood preference. Your statement was "me is the cheapest place in manhattan" it is clearly not. so what the fuck are you talking about?

The Latin corner is in ME, isn't that where a former famous NY Giant shot himself? Night life is good though

"Go take a walk south down 1st have starting on 59th go to 49th, you'll see them all as you take your Southerly stroll."

Just as I thought, can't list one address. Ha... Ha... Ha.....!

It's not Smith, it's "The Smith", hotspot on the Lower Eastside, Midtown East and soon to be across the street from Lincoln Center. The Midtown East branch is mobbed day and night, try it some time. LOL!

I guess lots of builders build 59 story buildings in a "graveyard".

Check out Brooklyn East, it's in the "Outer Boroughs" (not boros) more your speed. LOL!

"The Latin CORNER is in ME, isn't that where a former famous NY Giant shot himself? Night life is good though"

ha...ha....ha....ha.....

The "LATIN CORNER" ??????

SO DUMB!!!!

What CORNER is that on??? LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Applogies, got the mame wrong on the "Latin.,, whatever" point is its mot a neightnirhood crowd, neithet does the Smith, The smith on the LES is mobbed too, but you are not touting that because you don't live there.
ME is a sh1t hole. Face it

Think it's 47th n 3rd btw, not sure you tell me

jim_hones10
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jim_hones10
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Brooks2
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And perhaps I can. Just because I feel that ME feels like a grave yard does not mean I can't afford it. It's the cheapest place in Manhatran.... For good reason

jim_hones10
about 14 hours ago
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Cheaper than harlem? Yorkville? Les?

Explain how it is cheaper than any of the other three neighborhoods I listed.

Care to address the bullshit in your statement above? Of course, brooks won't let a little thing like data get in the way of his making a false statement.

"APPLOGIES, got the MAME wrong on the "Latin.,, whatever" point is ITS MOTt a NEIGHTNIRHOOD crowd, NEITHET does the Smith, The smith on the LES is mobbed too, but you are not touting that because you don't live there.
ME is a SH1T hole. Face it"

Lost your spell check or just flustered?? Ha...Ha.. HA...!

"ME is a sh1t hole." Don't be so hard on yourself! LOL!

"Think it's 47th n 3rd btw, not sure you tell me"

I think the "LATIN CORNER" is in Spanish Harlem. LOL! LOL!

Still waiting for that list of "burnt out buildingS" on 1st Avenue. I might want to buy one! HA..HA..HA!!

Jim, does your wife feel out of place in midtown east?

Nope, its in midtown east, where Placico Buress accidentally shot himself asshole!

Look it up for your self

jim_hones10
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jim_hones10
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Brooks2
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And perhaps I can. Just because I feel that ME feels like a grave yard does not mean I can't afford it. It's the cheapest place in Manhatran.... For good reason

jim_hones10
about 14 hours ago
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Cheaper than harlem? Yorkville? Les?

Explain how it is cheaper than any of the other three neighborhoods I listed.

Care to address the bullshit in your statement above? Of course, brooks won't let a little thing like data get in the way of his making a false statement.

How does any of this change the above? Can you validate this statement?

RENY: I was referring to the location of my former apt. in midtown east.

and, no, I still would not "mean east" of Second Ave.
The OP wants to be near shopping, low-key bars and the subway.
The shopping east of second ave? Not that good until you get up to Bed, Bath & Beyond.
Otherwise some small stores/delis but not much.
Home Depot is on Third Ave. and The Container Store is on Lexington Ave. Mostly big and/or heavy items that would not be pleasant to shlepp to First Ave. or Sutton Place, especially in the hot weather or rain and snow. If you have the items delivered, what difference does it make how close it is to home. You could purchase the items in the Home Depot and Container stores downtown and have them delivered for the same charge.
The subways are on Third Ave.

The bars on Second Ave. are a zoo for 20-30-somethings. Not low-key.

Midtown East never felt like a graveyard to me or to anyone visiting me there. That's because I have a social life.

Note to OP: I'm the same age as you.

So Spanish Harlem now includes ME? You live there you tell me lol'

Jim, does your wife feel out of place in midtown east?

"Placico Buress accidentally shot himself asshole!"

I didn't know that's where he shot himself, I thought it was in his leg. LOL! LOL!

Brooksie you're making a fool of yourself!!! Ha....Ha....Ha.....!

No I think you are lol.

"Otherwise some small stores/delis but not much.
Home Depot is on Third Ave. and The Container Store is on Lexington Ave."

Don't forget the banks, dry cleaners, supermarkets, Duane Reades, all the stores you need on a day to day basis, while the big box stores are a short walk away from the residential area between 2nd and Sutton. Thats my preference but to each his own.

Truth
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RENY: I was referring to the location of my former apt. in midtown east.

and, no, I still would not "mean east" of Second Ave.
The OP wants to be near shopping, low-key bars and the subway.
The shopping east of second ave? Not that good until you get up to Bed, Bath & Beyond.
Otherwise some small stores/delis but not much.
Home Depot is on Third Ave. and The Container Store is on Lexington Ave. Mostly big and/or heavy items that would not be pleasant to shlepp to First Ave. or Sutton Place, especially in the hot weather or rain and snow. If you have the items delivered, what difference does it make how close it is to home. You could purchase the items in the Home Depot and Container stores downtown and have them delivered for the same charge.
The subways are on Third Ave.

The bars on Second Ave. are a zoo for 20-30-somethings. Not low-key.

Midtown East never felt like a graveyard to me or to anyone visiting me there. That's because I have a social life.

Note to OP: I'm the same age as you.

Not even Truth is buying your nonsense Brooksie.

How many of those 20 something's actually live there?

And the OP is 50 something not 20

Brooks2
6 minutes ago
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How many of those 20 something's actually live there?

a ton of them. it's a very densely populated residential area, retard.

Amazing how my simple question degenerated to this.

if the bars are wild with 20-somethings, what does it matter if they live around there?
When the OP wants to relax at a low-key bar it's not happening low-key on Second Ave.

jim: I don't buy nonsense. I will, however, check it out for free.

Jim, tell us more about your hot housekeeper.

as if banks, dry-cleaners, Dags, Duane Reades are in short supply elsewhere in Manhattan.

The OP didn't list : living around 20-somethings.
They're married, in their early 50's.

They want a Best Nabe -- not a Babe Nest.

"as if banks, dry-cleaners, Dags, Duane Reades are in short supply elsewhere in Manhattan."

The point was most people want the convenience stores near their homes and not the big box stores, those most prefer to have a few blocks away not to mention all of the office buildings west of Second Avenue. The best part of living near Sutton is that you are in a residential enclave but have quick access to all Manhattan has to offer withing a short walk, not to mention a quick escape out of the city via the 59th Street Bridge. As I said to each his own.

7705! What is your time line for hitting 8K posts? It's a hot summer, a fat lazy piece of shit like you is probably going to be sitting in your air conditioned rat hole of an aparment all day. Assuredly you will get it before August 1st.

and you'll be counting down all the way. very helpful.

are you still cackling?

The one low key bar I can think of that caters to the older set-or, more accurately, the nearly departed
-only one place comes to mind: The Townhouse Bar on East 58th Street.

It's low key, all right-in the 6 feet under sense of the term, "laid out" if you will, like a funeral home.eeeven

One quick glance inside (that is, if you dare), & you'll immediately know why.

The clientele, in various states of dementia &/or decomposition, either sit at the front bar in a near catatonic state, while others who may simply be going through their last twitches "sing" by the piano in the back area, aka the embalming room.o

As far as the aforementioned front group goes, the only thing that can rouse them from their reverie is the occasional unsuspecting twink who stumbles in.

You have never seen so many heads turn in unison, with a very audible crack as they do so. How they don't snap their vertebrae is nothing short of a medical miracle.

They do feature weekly specials. A very popular one is "Dependsday Wednesdays", where everyone is encouraged to bring their own bedpan, which are banged like tamborines by the piano in a singalong that makes Roseanne sound like Maria Callas.

The 1st patron to void from excitement wins an exotic Fibercon cocktail-just one of the many drink specials featured.

Of course, given the composition of this drink, it only causes even more voiding, which in turn causes the winner to win yet again (&
again & again), eliciting jealousy & bitterness from the others not so fortunate.

They actually have a disclaimer out front, stating any resemblance between them & Frank E. Campbell is purely coincidental.

Now that you know all this...by all means-er..."suit up" & "go" have a wonderful time there!

God, so many pure evil people on this board.

walpurgis: early 50's age is "nearly departed"?

Never been to the Townhouse.
Never had a problem finding a low-key bar lounge in walking distance of where I lived.

jason: They got to change their evil ways.

Jim, do you understand when your housekeeper counts? Or is it not worth it to speak her language given that this is only a temporary arrangement until the requisite time passes before she can divorce you but still keep the citizenship?

oye como va!

Cruznmore: Welcome to se discussions where even the most well-intentioned question is up for raging debate.
Good luck with your move.

walpurgis just spotted at Hooters doing the watusi with his nubile server.

Truth: Of course not...hell no! And it better not be-as I'm in that very age range myself!

Just trying to inject a little humor (not botox) into the conversation; what I was attempting to point out was the complete antithesis of the usual 20-something venue.

Of course there's everything else in between, & quite familiar winh them at that.

Back in December, a neighbor & I dined at La Mediterranee; in March, another neighbor introduced us to Irish Exit.

We had a great time in both places, & I know they're tons of others which always seem to be doing very well, with multi-aged crowds.

I live a little south of the Mason-Dixon line (Murray Hill/Kips Bay), where I'm very age concious walking my dogs on a Friday night down Third Avenue, lest the revelers think ol' gramps here is looking for action!

So I'm not quite ready for the Mausoleum club, & too old for post-frat insanity dives.

Geesh-Boy are the fifties a difficult age...

...& if I ever even ATTEMPTED the Watusi, with ANYONE-nubile or not-suffice it to say the place would clear out in record time-that is, of course, if it didn't get raided first!

"The Townhouse Bar on East 58th Street.

It's low key, all right-in the 6 feet under sense of the term, "laid out" if you will, like a funeral home.eeeven"

... all true, but I'm still glad it's around. The money's really good there.

Sure is...they even provide blank trust, will & power of attorney forms gratis on the console in the vestibule.

After all-preparation is key-& not just of the H variety!

cruznmore:"Amazing how my simple question degenerated to this."

When you see contributors with thousands of posts, you can pretty much disregard anything they say. They hang out on these boards and while the hours away causing conflict and give misleading and downright wrong information. Be particularly careful of Brooks2 and take anything he says with a grain of salt.

Here's an excerpt from an article in the New York Times about the Sutton Place area in Midtown East, although it goes back to 2003, it's hasn't changed much in these past 9 years, only for the better in my opinion.

"ELEANOR AND LEONARD GARBIN raised two children on a 14-acre property in Pound Ridge, a picturesque Westchester town on the Connecticut line. But when a three-year stint living in downtown Cincinnati convinced the two that they were city dwellers at heart, they embraced the convenience of a Manhattan co-op apartment just a few steps from the East River.

They have changed apartments in the 60-unit building, but the two Brooklyn natives have not looked back in the 22 years since they moved to Sutton Place, a tidy and somewhat out-of-the-way Manhattan enclave that runs from 53rd to 59th Streets between First Avenue and the East River.

''It's almost like living in Europe,'' said Mrs. Garbin, whose 13th floor two-bedroom apartment offers glimpses of the river and lots of light. ''There are little mom-and-pop stores, tailors, shoe repair places and cheese stores. I walk to the river and sit in the parks, and we have a garden in our building.''

Comparisons with blocks of London mews houses and Eaton Square abound around Sutton Place and Sutton Place South, the section of the street below 57th Street. The dozen or so town houses and numerous luxurious co-op apartment buildings on the thoroughfare, one of the borough's most prestigious addresses, as well as the east-west streets, have historically been home to luminaries of all stripes."

You can find the rest of the article at the link below:

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/15/realestate/if-you-re-thinking-living-sutton-place-prestigious-address-with-villagelike-feel.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm&gwh=82E68CEF7D529181489A5C511545AFF2

Go see it for your self then.

That's some creative writing. A+.

how about this statement: "it's the cheapest part of Manhattan"?

>how about this statement: "it's the cheapest part of Manhattan"?

You keep harping on your wife, we get it, she's good at cleaning too.

Brooksie: Should cruznmore listen to you, "the poster of B.S." or the New York Times, "The Paper Of Record"?? LOL!

what are you up to cuntburg, 17-18 posts today? you'll hit 8000 in no time flat at this pace. keep going boy!

Uno, Dos, Tres, what's next?

Why don't you buy rosetta stone? You are probably incapable of multi-tasking, so maybe you should stick to your 8000 post goal, achieve that, then focus on learning the basics of Spanish. Shame on you in our multi-cultural society that you haven't learned yet. But I guess when you waste all of your time on Streeteasy...

Hey RENY, that is my unbiased opinion. You live in 1st ave and you are a RE broker your opinion is clearly biased as well as j homes and ph41