livitup

We are considering staying in an rental apartment near Turtle Bay in Manhattan this summer. Anyone done the apartment thing instead of a hotel? How was it, would you do it again?

bill_boy

I know Turtle Bay, very well. It's in the midtown east. I live very, very close to the area.

Where in Turtle Bay will you be staying?

livitup

East 52nd Street
Tell me all about that area...

bill_boy

Residential area with some bars and restaurants that cater mostly to after office hour workers,

monet77

But there also are supermarkets, drugstores, liquor stores, dry cleaners, etc. and it is very convenient to the subway at 53rd and 3rd Avenue. Lots of different kinds of restaurants - plus Chinese food, Japanese food, and pizza etc. for deivery if you are inclined to order in.

bill_boy

You pretty much just described almost all neighborhoods in Manhattan.

mclaurie

I never thought of east 52 st. as Turtle Bay--more Sutton Place, but evidently I was wrong and you're right. Here's a website with a map and info http://www.turtlebay-nyc.org/map.html#

I think it's an ideal location for a tourist visit b/c you're in midtown so within walking distance to many of the places you'd want to go (Rockefeller Center, Fifth Ave. shops, MOMA, the UN, Central Park) but you're presumably far enough east for the residential services you'll need like dry cleaning etc. There's also some nice small park space along the East River.

I know there's an apt. building on east 52 st b/w 1st ave. & the River that has some shortterm rentals. Here's a co. that rents them. You might like to compare to the prices you've gotten. I have no personal knowledge of them but I think someone who posted on Fodors a while ago went through this co. for an apt. in that building.
http://www.trpproperties.com/menuCompany.php
One of the fanciest buildings in the city, River House, is at the end of the block with lots of famous people.

If I were looking for negatives, I'd say the only downsides are, depending on how far east you are, you may be further from a subway stop and the area doesn't quite have the residential charm that some of the downtown areas might. You will likely find it quiet on summer weekends.

lizziea06

I would ask what is your age group and what are your interests? It's not a great neighborhood for dining, shopping, or going out, unless you are really into fratty Irish bars. It's far from the subway, although the E does stop at 3rd Ave. and 53rd (I think).

My best friend used to live on 52nd b/t 1st and the river. As a 23 year old, she was really bored in the neighborhood.

The plusses are proximity to the river, to tourist sites in midtown. It's a quiet, clean, and pretty neighborhood.

nytraveler

52nd St is not Turtle Bay - Turtle Bay is further south,

52nd St is midtown east - basically a business district until 3/2nd aveneues - then mostly upscale residential with all the usual service shops and some casuale restaurants. Not very exciting and nothing in particular to do - but perfectly safe and not too inconvenient. There are up and downtown buses and two subway lines - 53rd that goes into Queens and over to the west side and down - or the Lexington Ave line (51st) that goes north and south on the east side..

lizziea06

According to the Turtle Bay neighborhood association, East 52nd is indeed within its boundaries. On the north end, but still considered Turtle Bay.

http://www.turtlebay-nyc.org/

lisettemac

Zarela's! Delicious Mexican, lethal margs. That's my recommendation for you.

mclaurie

Oh, there's plenty of good dining, imo. Amma for Indian. Jubilee for moules frites, La Mangeoire, Our Place (Chinese), Rosa Mexicano also Mexican. But I agree with lizzie's assessment that it's not a particularly young area. Certainly safe. And yes, nytraveler, I thought the same, but saw it's considered part of Turtle Bay, at least by their association.

lizziea06

While it's not in Turtle Bay proper, Fusha at 1st Ave and 58th is great Asian fusion.