"Great residential street but tons of city shops and restaurants around"
My boyfriend lives on W 68th between Columbus and Central Park West, so I spend a lot of time there and in the area. Between Columbus and CPW, the street is very residential, with buildings that are at most 10 stories high. There is a private school on the street, as well as a few upscale restaurants. As you move west, you'll find a Loews on the corner of Broadway, which is really convenient if you're a movie lover. Broadway, Columbus, and Amsterdam all have tons of restaurants and shops, so the street is great for those who want to feel like they're in a quiet residential neighborhood but still have all the amenities of the big city.