Could someone recommend a good residential area in Manhattan?

Question

I'm an Australian man moving to NYC on a two year contract working mid town. I have two small children 5&6, so schools are an issue.

Answer 1

In Mahattan there are no actual "residential areas" -- especially midtown. Your only bet is to find a large enough apartment to accomodate your children and yourself. You might get lucky with a two bedroom apartment if you choose to live midtown.

I understand this is going to be a very drastic relocation but living in Manhattan can get expensive. A one-bedroom midtown can very well be above $2000/month for rent... and those are in good buildings with security in the front and excellent mail services.

If you were you, I'd recommend somewhere outside of Manhattan. It is not true that Brooklyn and Queens are not safe. But if you want to keep your wallet fatter and your kids in a more "residential area" with schools they can very well get picked up by a bus by (not use the train), I would take a one-hour or less commute into Manhattan from one of those places. Check out Brooklyn for sure and look at the apartments on www.newyork.craigslist.org (click on brooklyn on the top to see) and you'll get an idea. Schools tend to be more excessible in Brooklyn from the homes unlike Manhattan and believe it or not, the train ride is quite relaxing sometimes. Gives you some "me time" -- Good luck! E-mail at [e-mail] if you have any more questions.

Answer 2

Almost all of NYC is residential. If you are thinking about schools for your kids and don't want the hassel of private schools you probably would want to look on the upper east side. You want to make sure that the apartment is in school district 6, it is about the best distrist for public schools. Also, it is an area where there are a lot of high rise apartments going up, a lot of them are rentals, which is what you are probably going to want, not to buy. Most of NY has turned into Coop's and there aren't that many rentals around these days.

Answer 3

Upper West Side, Upper East Side, Tribeca, Battery Park City, Gramercy Park, Murray Hill, Roosevelt Island (island in the middle of East River between Manhattan and Queens - convenient to Manhattan), Clinton (also known as Midtown West).

Answer 4

If you're spending this much money (and, wow, I'm jealous), you are not going to end up in a "troubled" neighborhood. I could be wrong, but it seems to me that the UES would be a bit more uptight than the other areas you mentioned. The UWS might be nice for you. I think you should go, look at some places, and then walk around the neighborhood to get a feel for it. I'll bet when you find the right place, you'll just know it. Good luck!! You're going to love it!

Answer 5

The Upper West Side is a great place to raise kids. There are good schools, excellent shopping, the Children's Museum and lots of kid friendly restaurants.

Here is today's Craig's List for New York apartments to give you some idea of what New York City rents are like. Good luck.
http://newyork.craigslist.org/aap/

Answer 6

I wonder if you had any other choices than New York. The only city in the US I'd avoid more is LA. Since you're going there, I'd look online for a real estate agent. They will be able to point you in the right direction. As for schools, you should send your kids to a private school. They have the best educational systems in the country. The public school system is worse than a lot of third world countries.

Answer 7

You Aussies are special and when Hilliary and I move back, send me a note and I will let you have the Lincoln bedroom for a night. How's that for an answer, eh? Don't forget to click the star before you go out. Thank you in advance.

Answer 8

Budget will also be an issue. NYC can be wickedly expensive.