Turtle Bay

I have been here for a little over a year and I just love the atmosphere of this area in Midtown East. The beautiful townhouses and the superb tree lined streets make it a perfect oasis in the midst of the midtown lively vibe. All you need is at tour fingertips, from transportation to delicious restaurants and the quietness of parks all around you. Quite frankly, being neighbors to the UN is synonym of safety to me and those 2 weeks a year they get together for their GA have not been bad at all if you ask me! Maybe East 51st is a gem within a gem?

Some neighborhoods make you say Wow, and others seems like byways to get to other neighborhoods Turtle Bay is a byway for me. Although I think the United Nations is impressive as an institution and as a complex, the surrounding neighborhood doesn't do anything for me. Yes it has nice buildings (not gorgeous) and yes you can probably find a good buy here and there, but I would say if you walked West you'd find more excitement, more fun, more pizzazz. Of course it is quite close to Grand Central Station which is a plus, and you can find great eating and drinking places here. But that can be said for much of New York.

Salons are plentiful and the small eateries seem a bit too spaced apart for my liking but that's just me. Transportation is available and the area is relatively clean, but it just lacks something for me. You can of course walk over to the river should you want to take in some beautiful views. I would actually recommend that as that is definitely something I would head for down here. There's just not much here that catches my fancy. Perhaps if it was on the West Side it might attract my attention more. :-)

Turtle Bay is the area where the United Nations and the Chrysler Building is situated making it a frequent destination of tourists, groups, and the people that work here. Aside from the UN, many countries also have their diplomatic missions in the area and the neighborhood is always filled with the people who work there and the people who are waiting in line outside to get in.

Living here is quite expensive. There are some high rises with doormen, the works. You live right near the United Nations so the people walking around the neighborhood are usually well dressed and well-to-do. It's pretty safe but very crowded. And when the full United Nations assembly comes to town, forget it. The streets are jam packed, there is tight security everywhere, and parking is a dream.

It's a nice little area for tourists to check out. Parts of the United Nations territory are open to everyone and there are frequent tours of the inside. Very highly recommended. The Chrysler Building is a gem as are many of the nearby buildings.

All this being said, there is not much else here except a few restaurants. Not really a problem since you're right next door to Midtown Manhattan (and the fun crowds that has). Really, it's not a recommended location to live as it is always packed and the rents and prices are skyhigh. Nice place to visit and take a tour of the United Nations though.

While many people haven't heard of Turtle Bay, this neighborhood is home to two famous NYC landmarks: the UN Building and the Chrysler Building.

Obviously when the UN is in session, this neighborhood is teeming with diplomats, dignitaries, and security officers, which lead to horrible congestion on the streets and sidewalks. The benefit of having the UN in your backyard is the safety that comes with it--Turtle Bay may be one of the safest areas in Manhattan.

Apartments tend to be comfortable high-rises with marvelous views and amenities. The atmosphere is slightly more up-tempo than Midtown East proper, but not as hip or desirable as Murray Hill. Good apartment deals are possible as the UN makes most renters and buyers look elsewhere.

Restaurants are typically excellent so you can treat your visitors to meals worthy of international visits, however you’ll have to look elsewhere for bar scenes and nightlife.

Being so close to the water can make mornings and evenings especially cold during the winter months, but the breeze off the East River can be nice for morning runs in the summertime.

In general this is a nice, rarely sought after neighborhood that can be horribly crowded to only marginally crowded depending on UN activity.

At first glance, Turtle Bay is an incredibly appealing place to live: rows of classic New York brownstones lined with trees make for picturesque streets. However, those streets are often closed, thanks to the neighborhood’s claim to fame, the United Nations. The same institution that causes residents much inconvenience also gives the area great prestige and a constant flow of buzz and excitement – that is, if you’re into the whole international politics thing. Even if you’re not, some visits made here by world leaders are too good to not take note of, especially when those leaders are on the controversial side. It might not be as exciting as movie star-studded neighborhoods like Soho, but there is undeniably something to be said for being able to keep an eye out for Prime Ministers, Presidents and Commanders.

The mix of restaurants is reliable – nothing too exciting or experimental, but solid enough to keep visiting diplomats happy. For a high end steak meal, visit Ben & Jack’s Steakhouse, which you know is good simply because it was founded by the owners of Peter Luger’s. Or, go low-key and kick back at the Beer Bar with, obviously, a beer menu to please and casual bar food. And don’t leave Turtle Bay without visiting Tudor City, a hidden gem of Manhattan set on a slope over First Avenue. Climb the steps to check out this little community and visit the park to spend time in this quaint little getaway.

Turtle Bay is really a beautiful part of Manhattan. It’s an absolute delight to find Turtle Bay after a long walk through the rigors of Midtown.

Yes, the UN is there as well as many consulates. This doesn’t really affect long-term residents much, except when they close the streets when the General Assembly meets. Then it’s really a pain, but something you get used to after a while.

There are ugly places as well, but many of the buildings are truly beautiful brownstones and lovely apartment buildings. And the most beautiful thing about Turtle Bay is all the trees. Streets are lines with them. And they aren’t the straggly, withering saplings found in many Manhattan neighborhoods. No, these trees are solid and healthy, changing to crisp golden tones in the autumn and charming soft greens in the spring. Unlike so many places in New York, there’s a touch of unexpected nature here. I can’t even be mad at the less attractive residential structures because the little gardens and charming foliage lend even harsh stone facades a sense of grace.

Turtle Bay is also near all the conveniences of Midtown. There’s the great access to transportation, the stores open in the middle of the night, the restaurants and the bars. But Turtle Bay has far fewer tourists and much less noise. There’s the river as well, with a cool view of the derelict hospital on the southern end of Roosevelt Island.

Turtle Bay is a sub section of the Midtown East neighborhood and its boundaries extend roughly from 43rd street to 53rd from the East River to Lexington Avenue. The United Nations Plaza is located within the neighborhood of Turtle Bay on 1st Avenue between 42nd and 48th streets. Surrounding the UN, are several consulates and the diplomatic missions of various countries as a result of which the neighborhood is an extremely safe, high security zone.

Located within the confines of Turtle Bay is yet another mini-neighborhood which is known as Tudor City Place. This self contained neighborhood which has its own post office, hotel and park has been built atop a granite cliff that overlooks First Avenue and can be accessed by walking uphill on a slope from Second Avenue or by climbing up the steps which lie within the Ralph Bunche Park located on First Avenue and 42nd street. Tudor City consists of 12 co-op buildings which were built in Tudor style by the Fred French company which transformed the former squatters village area located between 41st and 43rd street and First and Second Avenue into a pristine , green neighborhood which is today home to approximately 5000 people.

The rest of Turtle Bay is peppered with several high rise buildings of which perhaps the most well known is the opulent and super luxurious Trump World Tower which is located on 48th Street and First Avenue. Apart from apartment buildings and diplomatic residences, the area is also home to several good restaurants and bars like Megu, Zarela, Smith and Wollensky, Verro Wine Bar, Turtle Bay Grill and Lounge, Sutton Place, Calico Jack’s Cantina which are usually packed to the gills with revelers on weekend nights.

The only downside of living in this safe and secure area is that residents are often inconvenienced with road closures and traffic diversions when the U.N. is in session. For instance when Colonel Gadaffi of Libya attended the 54th session of the U.N. General Assembly in September 2009 , he was accommodated in a residential building located on 48th Street between First and Second Avenues. The other residents of the building then experienced great hardship as they were subjected to intense security measures for the entire duration of the controversial leader's stay.

The neighborhood of Turtle Bay extends from 43rd to 53rd Streets, and along the East River from Lexington Avenue. The forty acre area once known as Turtle Bay Farm has evolved into an urban landscape and the United Nations now stands where the actual bay once was. There are many landmarks from the past remaining in Turtle Bay and add to the neighborhoods colorful history.

Grocery stores in Turtle Bay include Ceriello of Manhattan, Boi to Go, and The Amish Market - all within walking distance. Also nearby are some fairly decent restaurants like Keats Restaurant, Palm Too, Grifone Restaurant. Schools in the area include Cornell’s Alumni Affairs Office, The Beekman School, the Kabbalah Learning Center, and many more.

Libraries and bookstores, café’s and movie theaters provide entertainment during the cold winter New York season. Turtle Bay is on its way to becoming a great community with much more to be developed.

This is Midtown Manhattan – tall buildings and (relatively) clean streets with bustling traffic. Midtown is certainly not completely overrun by tourists, especially in a neighborhood like Turtle Bay, which is a bit off to the side and close to the East River and FDR Dr. This neighborhood resembles its neighbor, Sutton Place, in that it features picturesque (and expensive) historical townhouses. If you’re just wandering, you won’t find a whole lot of trend-setting action, but you might feel like you’re in the New York you’ve always seen in movies with happy endings. The usual pubs and delis exist here, but as far as recommended eateries for your vacation – seek them elsewhere.