NYC Locations--Which is Better?
 

Hello:

My husband, two sons, and I will be traveling to NYC in July. We have a choice between two different apartments--one is on 47th Street between 8th and 9th Avenue and the other is at 71st Street right at Riverside Drive. What are the advantages and disadvantages of these locations? Assuming that the apartments are "equal," which location would you choose and why?

Thank you.

47th St bet 8th an 9th--theater district with the busy-ness and associated higher prices for mediocre food if not careful. Great access to theater and some midtown sights. Pretty good subway connections to most parts of the city

71st St at Riverside--residential neighborhood with restaurants, shopping, and parks along the river, plenty of New Yorkers living their lives. Subway connections close by but fewer choices

How old ar ethe kids?

The Riverside drive is right near Central park, Museum of Nat'l Hist, (and a bunch of other museum) and I think would be better for a family. (It is upscale residential but with a lot of good inexpensive places to eat, many with sidewalk cafes.)

The other location is better for theater but IMHO will be much busier - to te point of frantic and have a ton more traffic.

It depends on how long you are there and what you want to see.

I'd stay at the 47th street location for most visits. 8th and 9th offer a lot of restaurant options and are significantly quieter than Broadway and 7th just short blocks away. There's a Food Emporium right there, a cyber cafe nearby (if you don't bring your laptop) and LOTS of subway options nearby.

I just got back from a 10 day stay at a home a bit further north than the 71st St location. Yes, it will be quieter and more residential, but the subway options are more limited and there will be more traveling back and forth and transfers.

My guess is that you would enjoy both, but I'd pick the one between 8th and 9th in Midtown.

Yes, what starrs said.

I love the area of 47th between 8th and 9th. I usually rent just two blocks north of there. But double check the apartment. I think I've seen some there that are fourth or fifth floor walk ups. Maybe that's fine for you, but you might want to know for sure. It's a lot of steps every time you want to pop out for a coffee or something.

And just so you know - in older buildings in NYC the apartments often have very high ceilings - 11 or 12 feet versus the usual 8 in new houses. So if you have to go up 4 or 5 flights of stairs - they can be VERY long.

And if the ceilings are high and the building is old, the air conditioning may not be sufficient.

I would pick the Midtown location also, but take Patrick's advice and check out the stair vs elevator situation first.

I think the key factor is the age of the kids. If they are smaller definitely do Riverside Drive. For teens or older wither location can work.