View of the Higher West Facet
Are you pondering of shifting to the Higher West Facet of Manhattan?
New York’s Higher West Facet has been my residence since 2009. I’ve seen the neighborhood change since I started residing right here, and undoubtedly, like all different areas of the town, it’ll proceed to evolve. For probably the most half, I discuss why I really like my neighborhood and the way proud I’m to be a West Sider. And general, it’s lovely and a simple place to stay. However I really feel compelled to share the elements that I don’t like, so you may make an informed resolution if this nabe is in your brief listing. Under are the not-so-great issues it is best to know earlier than shifting to the Higher West Facet.
There’s a focus of chain shops.
Admittedly, comfort comes into play. Not having to schlep to a different borough, over the bridge, or underneath a tunnel to Jersey actually does make the town extra livable, and I can promise you that New Yorkers store Goal and Pottery Barn too. Nevertheless, when the cityscape of a neighborhood begins to lose its character as a result of indie shops are pressured to shut their doorways as a result of exorbitant hire will increase, and the one companies that may afford to pay $100k a month are the chains and massive packing containers, one thing’s obtained to offer. Sadly, the Higher West has a lot of chains that aren’t going anyplace anytime quickly.
And…approach too many banks.
You’ll by no means run out of locations to maintain your cash on the Higher West.
DNAinfo wrote concerning the challenge approach again in 2012, when there have been 70 banks between 54th and 96th Road. (Unsure what the precise depend is now, however there are approach too many inside a number of blocks of my house.) The quantity isn’t getting smaller both. Ugh.
It’s not a meals vacation spot…however it’s getting higher.
On the subject of eating places, the neighborhood hasn’t caught as much as many different areas of Manhattan and Brooklyn, however it’s attempting. Native UWS favorites like Amelie, Cibo e Vino, Jacob’s Pickles, and Salumeria Rossi will hopefully proceed to thrive. With the closing of high culinary gamers like Ouest, Dovetail, Telepan, and Mermaid Inn, simply since I moved right here, the upscale restaurant scene gave the impression to be dwindling for a bit. However now we have a number of newer gamers resembling Dagon, Élea, and Miriam. That mentioned, for excellent high quality and worth, I usually desire to move downtown for a meal.
At occasions, the neighborhood will be too quiet.
Notably above 86th Road the place I stay, generally the streets are typically extremely quiet at evening and early within the morning. Residing in a busy metropolis like New York, discovering solitude will be difficult, however not a lot on the Higher West. In case you’re the last word metropolis dweller trying to stay within the thick of the motion, then this space of city in all probability isn’t for you. That mentioned, it’s refreshing to know that you could stay in Manhattan and aside from a number of sirens and day-to-day sounds, discover peace and quiet.
Discover peace and quiet within the 89th Road Neighborhood Backyard.
Sure longtime West Siders, who made the neighborhood cool, have moved on.
Some UWS residents outgrow their residences and depart for the suburbs after youngster quantity two is born, however numerous denizens have migrated throughout the river to Brooklyn or uptown to Washington Heights as effectively. The Higher West has lengthy been residence to artists, writers, musicians, and different inventive varieties, and though some nonetheless reside right here, many have flown the coop for extra sq. footage on the similar value, personal backyards, and as unhappy as it’s to say, extra soul. All that mentioned, a few of that inventive vitality has shifted, following former Higher West Siders to their subsequent residence.
In some sections, grocery shops are missing.
In case you stay near 72nd Road, you’re inside a fast stroll of Fairway, Dealer Joe’s (if you will get within the door), and Citarella. However for different West Siders who aren’t inside a stone’s throw of 72nd, grocery purchasing decisions are slim to none. The realm’s Meals Emporiums have closed their doorways leaving my neck of the woods and the Lincoln Heart space of city with few decisions for staples. There’s a Entire Meals at Columbus Circle (good by subway). Then there’s one other at 97th and Columbus and a Dealer Joe’s at 93rd and Columbus, however there’s no nice strategy to get to those shops from the place I stay, besides strolling for about 15 or 20 minutes or taking a taxi. Thank heavens for Zabar’s, which is simply a few 10-minute stroll for me.
The West Facet is darker and colder than the East Facet.
Nora Ephron mentioned it. “I’ll let you know one thing else I’ve seen concerning the East Facet: It’s sunnier, it truly is, I don’t know why, the sunshine is simply a lot lighter on the East Facet of city than the West. What’s extra, it’s undoubtedly hotter over right here in winter as a result of it’s farther from the frigid blasts of wind coming off the Hudson River.”
And, I’ve to let you know, as somebody who’s lived on the Higher East and Higher West, I believe Nora Ephron was proper. The winds will be depraved on the Higher West Facet, particularly the blocks between between West Finish Avenue and Riverside Drive. My answer is to keep away from strolling towards the Hudson River in January and February. However within the hotter months, it’s superb alongside the Hudson.
Riverside alongside the Hudson River
Regardless of the entire above, I nonetheless love my neighborhood.
Have a query about shifting to the Higher West Facet? Submit it within the feedback!
Additionally, Higher West above 86th Road. The 91st Road Backyard. And discover this a part of Central Park on the East Facet.