megagirl

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. :-)

Yorkville runs from 72nd Street to 96th Street along the East Side. It's lovely to go up this way and just stroll around. There are lots of doctors offices up here, but a lot of professionals also live here. The apartments are generally large and because the more easterly ones mean more of a walking distance to the train, you can often find good bargains the more east you go.

The buildings here have character though and some areas are spellbinding. There are trees scattered about, a rarity in some parts of the city. Lovely little enclaves of shops can be found. I always recommend however walking the avenues since this is where most of the foot traffic is, and hence, most of the good shops. You just can't go wrong. The well-to-do live here but so do hardworking middle class people who have scraped and saved to live here.

There are lovely buildings with doormen and elevators but many people who live more easterly live in pre-war walkups. These apartments may have more space but they also may require walking up 4 or more sets of stairs! If you have a good heart and don't mind sweating then this may be the place for you to find a place to live.

Kips Bay is a small neighborhood on the East Side of Manhattan that runs from 23rd to 33rd Streets or thereabouts. Since it's the East Side we New Yorkers generalize by saying it's more stuffy as compared to the West Side. Shops are just more geared toward organic foods, sunglasses, boutiques and the like, whereas the West Side just seems more down-to-earth. But who can really say. It may just be the attitudes. This area is lovely -- this I can say. It's clean, nice to walk through, and generally pleasant to the eye. You can find some really nice apartments over here, although they may be a little pricey. There is a nice movie theater in the area so that's certainly a plus. Restaurants are plentiful and unlike other areas that are further uptown, Kips Bay is very reasonably priced.

You can find some fun bars, and if you walk to the river you can catch some great views especially on the Fourth of July when they do the fireworks.

This is not really a place for tourists in my view -- not enough to do, but it's a great place to visit if you have the time and have seen every other neighborhood in New York City.

I went to the Cloisters once in Inwood and that was a wonderful experience. It's funny for a New Yorker to take a train, and venture into upper Manhattan and find that the world doesn't end at Harlem but continues on. I have rarely taken the train up that way although I assumed the land continued on. The Cloisters is an old Monastery which has been preserved and actually is quite an oasis to visit. You should visit if you can. Friends who live in Inwood love it for the convenience in terms of apartment size. Apartments are bigger and affordable but you do have to take the train everyday (if you commute south) through Harlem. Not my favorite scenery.

Transportation is easy and convenient though, nevermind fast, and you are near one of the best universities in the world (Columbia University) so that can't be all bad. In terms of shopping and nightlife, Inwood offers great shopping but if you are looking for nightlife or anything more Manhattan like it's best to come downtown. Inwood has its benefits but nothing rivals lower Manhattan.

For places to eat, my friends like the Caribbean Hut and the Inwood Buffet. Look hard enough though and you can find culinary treats for all in this quaint part of Manhattan that offers great buys.

Most people associate Tribeca with one of its most notable residents -- Robert DeNiro, who started the Tribeca Film Festivals. Now that they are well known, people often flock here and admire the lovely cobblestone streets, such as Greenwich, Washington and Harrison Streets. Details like this make this neighborhood a lovely place to stroll through especially during the nicer months. Living here though is definitely for those who can afford it. Given the loft spaces, the rich often feel like they have the space they need both in square footage and in privacy. Transportation is easily accessible, and cabs abound. Things are very pricey in this area but if you are looking for bargains you can always venture in minutes to another part of town. It's best to stroll the streets, admire the architecture, the restaurants and bars, and absorb the personality that is solely Tribeca.

It can be a bit quiet here for some, so you may just want to stay for a short bit and mosey along, but you will definitely get some nice pictures.

Take note that traffic can be a monster in this area due to the proximity of the Holland Tunnel which takes commuters over to New Jersey, but if you don't mind a little bumper to bumper traffic (should you venture there by car) then no matter. You will have a blast of a time regardless.

Harlem begins somewhere around 110th Street or so and ends at about 155th Street. I have never gone all the way up but having lived up by Columbia University, I have ventured as far as 125th Street for some soul food at Sylvia's and experienced wonderful morsels of Southern cuisine.

Another place that I have gone to visit is the Apollo Theater which is where Luther Vandross was discovered although as I hear it he was booed his first time out. Harlem used to be a music hot spot for jazz and was really hopping back in the day. Rents are affordable but safety and crime are still big concerns. Of course, there are some really wonderful doorman buildings about but you have to look a bit to find something that really suits your needs in an area you feel secure in. The lower portion of Harlem is nice as it's by Columbia University which offers everyone a nice venue to visit. It's campus is not to be missed. Shopping in Harlem offers lots of bargains but you won't find many high end goods. The best shopping avenue is 125th Street I hear.

The area is accessible by both train (which goes above ground once it's at 125th Street) and buses of course that run along Broadway and Columbus. Great restaurants abound though. They may be on the small side, but you can get great deals on food, and often they are gotten in places you will want to flock back to.

Some places have an air about them that makes you want to stay. This is one of those places. The West Village extends from 14th Street down to Houston along the West Side and is comprised of a bunch of small angular streets that are lovely to stroll along. Great in the summer time, the West Village just oozes small town, edgy, artsyness. Two of my favorite streets to walk down are Bleecker and Commerce and when you go you will see why. They are just pretty, cozy streets that offer distractions for the eye. This is a lovely place to go with a special someone if you want to just walk and talk, and share a brilliant experience with. The Cornelia Street Cafe is here at West 4th and Bleecker. You will simply adore its food, as well as the musical and poetry shows they hold in their very packed, shoulder to shoulder seated space downstairs. You want to see how close New Yorkers are willing to sit, go visit and view one of their shows. I loved it! Saw a jazz show and sat up front -- so close to the stage I am sure the saxophonist was blowing my bangs as he played but I never had a better time!

West Village is easy to get to, clean and so full of personality. Don't pass it up especially if you love food and drinks. They have the best of both worlds!

NoHo is a centrally located neighborhood in Manhattan which begins at Houston Street and runs North to 14th Street. It's only a few blocks wide but is comprised mostly of really expensive loft apartment buildings. It's a very artsy, ritsy area which can be enjoyed for what it is -- a great place to stroll, but for the average person it is a not so great place to shop. Prices are just way over the average person's head. The area is as Green as you can get. New businesses in this area really strive to be Green and to meet the expectation of their residents which are mostly professionals who have been working hard all their lives and have stored up quite a bit of savings. They can afford to spend the extra money on Green materials and they like to see it in the businesses they patronize such as yoga studios and the like.

Great places to eat at are Great Jones and Il Bucco. It's a great place to stroll through in the summer. Each part of Manhattan has its own personality and NoHo is of no exception.

Transportation is great here so if you are lucky enough to find digs here you will find it easy to get around. The area is very well maintained and you will feel safe and at ease when walking around here at night. Just be careful when venturing outside this particular area. NoHo offers tourists a respite from the craziness of uptown so if you need a break from the hustle and bustle spend a day here and rejuvenate.

The best thing about Murray Hill is that it's so close to a lot and yet it has it's own quiet demeanor. Running from about 42nd to 34th Street on the East Side, you can find quite a number of quaint apartments in pre-war walkups, or even lovely condos in hi-rises with doormen. The area accommodates a lot of tastes and also is close to some very business epicenter which includes Grand Central Station. If you are interested in adopting pets, you will also be close to the Bide a Wee pet shelter, and there are tons of shopping to be had along Fifth Avenue and the other avenues as well. The area is fairly well known for its cafes and shake shops. There are also a number of shops that cater to tourists so you can find places that sell cameras and other types of electronics here. The Empire State Building is also within walking distrance from this area, and although it's not as exciting as being in Rockefeller Center uptown, the Empire State Building still retains its charm, and being as tall as it is you will still enjoy the panoramic views at the top.

If you are looking for "fun fun" then consider a short walk across town to the West side where things are more affordable and where there is a lot more variety with respect to shops and things to do, especially in Times Square, which is the epicenter for tourists and shoppers.

Murray Hill is quiet relatively speaking so those looking for a more low key NY experience will like it here. Those seeking a party atmosphere will be disappointed.

The Meatpacking District to me was always some place I passed in the car on my way to other parts of town. One can tell you are in the Meatpacking District because it still looks very much like a place where this type of activity would take place. The buildings are all very factory-like looking, some with bays for trucks to pull in, where they used to load and unload their goods. Nowadays though the area is becoming a whole new scene with upscale type bars and restaurants. The prices at some of these places are off the charts and its the "in" thing to be seen there paying over $15 for a cocktail or exorbitant prices for a meal. But just like other parts of NY is the experience that most want, and if you want an eclectic one, then this is the place to be.

Some wonderful restaurants to check out are the Fatty Crab on Hudson Street, the Fig & Olive on 14th Street, and the Old Homestead Steakhouse on 9th Avenue. This area is not really for the stroller, but since you are close to the water you can always walk over and catch some equisite views of the river if you so choose.

If you're at the intersection of Broadway and 23rd Street you will notice a pretty small park where people go to sit, take retreat from their jobs at lunch time, or relax while taking a jaunt around town. This area is called Madison Square. It wasn't always this nice, but recent efforts have tried to keep the park in a much nicer state for residents to enjoy. This is not where the Madison Square Garden complex is located however. That's further uptown at 32nd Street. Rents down this way are much more affordable than further uptown, and eateries and groceries are much more affordable too. You can find some nice places to stroll if you have the time, but this area will not dazzle you like others. There are some businesses down here but they tend to be on the small side and the area is more known to be residential with some commerce woven in. It can feel a bit industrial in places. There are some lofts to be had but they will be much more expensive than the average apartment.

There is some good nightlight possibilities nearby with Gotham Comedy Club on 23rd Street and tons of little restaurants about. Transportation is also very convenient here, so you will be able to zip about to the rest of the city in no time especially if you hop on the train.

The Lower East Side is generally the area of Manhattan from Canal up through 14th Street. It includes such places Little Italy and Chinatown -- two of my favorite spots especially for eating authentic cuisine. Not the most pretty parts of the city, this area is generally known for great little cafes and restaurants. There's lots to do and you're always in close proximity of places like Washington Square Park, Bowlmor (a great bowling alley for adults) or the Tenement Museum, which gives you a great indepth view of the conditions immigrants lived under when moving to New York in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

There is great shopping to be had here especially along 14th Street, and comparatively speaking this is one of the more affordable areas. Close to transportation (trains and buses), you can shoot anywhere you want in the city and always come home on the express train since 14th and Canal are main stops.

If you are a bar drinker there are great bars to visit like Good Beer on 9th Street and Drop Off Service on Avenue A. If you like performance art the Nuyorican Cafe in Alphabet City is a must to visit. It's in-your-face poetry that is loud and fun to watch.

If you're the type of person that likes to be in the thick of it all, then Midtown is the place to be. This is where you will find Times Square and a bulk of the businesses that drive the commerce of the city. Large business buildings, theaters, tons of shops along the avenues, eateries, clubs -- you name it, it is all here and more. You could spend the whole day here just visiting the many different stores. Apartments are available but are extremely expensive especially the more central the location. The area is typically quite clean because of the prominence of tourists, and there are many hotels which afford a nice diversion. The Marriott in Times Square for instance features the only revolving restaurant and is a nice place to bring tourists who will appreciate the view! Other places that are fun to visit are the Toys R Us also in Times Square which features an indoor ferris wheel, and Caroline's on Broadway which is one of the oldest and most prominent comedy clubs in the country.

One can always find interesting places to eat along the side streets or visit a museum or two. The Metropolital Museum of Art is along 52nd Street and offers a great escape from the NY summer heat. Lots of transportation here as this is where tons of people come to work every day. Because of that, lunch specials in restaurants abound to draw commuters. Take note, that summers and Christmas time are quite busy. Radio City Music Hall is often busy with concerts but during Christmas it features its famous show with the rockettes.

If you can though make sure you visit the skating rink at Rockerfellar Center and stroll along Fifth Avenue if only for the window shopping.

While this is home to a lot of NY residents, this section of Manhattan is also home to many doctors. If you don't come here for the nightlife, then you are probably here for the museums or the doctors such as plastic surgeons. They abound here nestled in among the old beautiful doorman buildings, brownstowns and hi-rise condo buildings. This is a wonderful neighborhood to stroll through. Museums such as the Guggenheim and the Museum of Natural History are nearby so if you are looking for a great place to visit that is close to Central Park, this is a nice option. Boutique hotels also abound here, and you will pay a pretty penny to be near this area, which has nice eateries, bars and lounges. It's a quiet place at night, but there's something to be said about quiet in a big city like this. Buses run along the park going up and down, but trains are fewer on this side of town. So you might want to cab it if you find yourself in need of getting somewhere fast. Or catch a horse and buggy if you want down at 59th street if you have time to kill. This neighborhood is pricey but definitely worth a visit especially in summer! It's named after the renowned hospital in its midst, Lenox Hill Hospital.

The Fashion District has never been my favorite place to visit. It's just ho hum. Yes, you can find some very interesting shops there if you are into design. Materials, buttons, ribbons, rugs, furs, etc. abound here, but they are typically in shops targeting businesses not consumers. Wholesale is typically their game here so tourists might find it very off putting, boring and a waste of time. You can walk along the main avenues of Broadway and find interesting shops and places to eat, but overall the area is really geared toward business and nothing else. Those looking for housing would be better off looking in another area as this area is quite pricey. There are not a lot of grocery shops that are affordable here so you would probably be miserable.

Good thing is Manhattan is so walkable you can walk several blocks in any direction and typically find yourself in another neighborhood. Transportation abounds, the neighborhood is pretty safe, but there is little to do in form of entertainment. Street festivals can be found sprinkled about in the summer months along the avenues providing some relief from the otherwise boring nature of this neighborhood.

Anyone who wants to see a sign of life should walk along the main avenues instead of the side streets.

The Financial District offers tourists a lot of excitement. There is the New York Stock Exchange as well as lots of other landmarks to see, like the Federal Reserve Bank and the new World Trade Center Memorial. Great shopping is a must at Century 21 which is directly across the old World Trade Center site. The area itself is compact. There are a lot of little streets, some of which are very narrow and others that no longer allow cars down them. You can get a sense of the old New York by looking at these streets. Eateries abound and so do lunch specials considering the hoards of people that have to eat here everyday. But on the weekends, this place becomes very quiet. It's great for tourists who may want to roam around when there is less foot traffic. Everything is easy to get to because you're at the bottom of Manhattan and it's narrower. All the streets are named which makes it confusing. You can get disoriented and not know whether you are going east or west. Great venues nearby are the South Street Seaport which has a mall and a bunch of shops as well as ships that can be visited/boarded.

Area is very secure since attacks so you needn't worry about that. Lots of security and police abound.

Morningside Heights is a best kept secret for those who live uptown. Near Columbia University, it offers lots of apartments of various types which are rather spacious, but at a more affordable rate than downtown because of its proximity to Harlem. While the university and neighborhood is rather close to Harlem you wouldn't know it. Central Park is not far away and on the other side is Riverside Park (a glorious strip of a park with mature trees that runs all the way down to 79th street or thereabouts).

Morningside residents have a pick of a number of eclectic restaurants, cafes and bars that cater to the students from the university. Poetry readings and such may abound. The Cathedral of St John the Divine is a local church which any tourist should visit as it's massive and gorgeous. One should be careful about walking at night just because it's the city. You need to be careful wherever you are.

Apartments are a great buy here if you can afford them. Doormen buildings are preferred as they usually have elevators. Walkups will not only require toting yourself up stairs but usually won't have AC either. This is a lovely area. Be sure to walk the campus of Columbia University. It is not to be missed!

If you are lucky to get to New York and love music, Lincoln Square is definitely the place to visit, and if you are fortunate enough, live in. Beautiful condos and hi-rises line the river on the West Side, all within walking distance of The Metropolitan Opera House, Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center Theater and NYC Ballet. In the summer there is a lot of activity at Lincoln Center with the MidSummer Night Swing Festival where bands come to play live and everyone is encouraged to dance! You can also look to visit the Red Apple Circus which comes to perform regularly under the Big Top in Damrosch Park (part of the center). Along Broadway, a block or two away, one can find great places to eat when dining out with a loved one or just casual pickings if need be. There are boutiques as well as regular supermarket shopping, and the subway is conveniently nearby. This neighborhood is known for being hip and fashionable. It's kept very clean and the Julliard School (home to many budding musicians) is nearby. One can easily commute to all parts of the city from here, by foot, cab or train. Columbus Circle, which houses a brand new multi-floor mall, is also quite close. Tourists will find this a great place to absorb New York's nightlife and shopping. Residents find this a lovely and convenient place to live.