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Upper West Side

Upper West Side

$1,744,861 Average Value
$1,719 Average Price per Sq Ft
404 Homes For Sale

Cinematic elegance with family-friendly charm

The Upper West Side, or UWS, has been filmed and photographed perhaps more than any other neighborhood in Manhattan. From John Lennon and Yoko Ono in the now-immortalized Dakota building to popular sitcoms like “Seinfeld,” the neighborhood has long fascinated the public. But outside of its pop culture references, the UWS maintains a community-centric, unassuming elegance. “The UWS still feels like a neighborhood with people who’ve lived in the city a long time. You get a wonderful diversity of people from all ethnicities, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds. Whether it’s professors at Columbia or chefs, it’s a real community,” says Robert Varvara, a top-producing real estate salesperson with Compass. “And to me, it’s the least transient neighborhood in NYC.”

Zabar's Bakery is a New York City institution.
Zabar's Bakery is a New York City institution.
The Dakota is one of the many famous condos in the Upper West Side area.
The Dakota is one of the many famous condos in the Upper West Side area.
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Lovingly restored prewar co-ops and ultra-luxe residences

The neighborhood’s wide streets and broad sidewalks are lined with historical landmarks and Revivalist, Art Deco, and Beaux-Arts styles. “There’s a mix of rentals and a lot of well-preserved, prewar co-ops from architects like Emery Roth and Clinton & Russell,” adds Varvara. “You certainly have newer condo developments mixed in, but unlike the rest of NYC, it really blends in with the architecture.” He notes that buyers tend to love the prewar style in the UWS for its grander rooms, floor plans, and original features, but depending on the condition, renovations can be extremely expensive. Condos and co-ops typically range between $700,000 to $3.5 million, but properties with park or river views will cost a premium. Some studio condos can start as low as $400,000, and one-bedroom co-ops in prewar brownstones might list just under $500,000. Newer developments — like the Charlotte, a Passive House Institute-certified building at 470 Columbus Avenue and the newly restored Gothic-style residences at 555 West End Avenue — are priced significantly higher, extending into the $6 to $18 million range. The most coveted properties are those with either park or Hudson River views. Nowadays, inventory with either perk is fairly rare and gets snapped up quickly.

The Charlotte Building is a new development in the Upper West Side.
The Charlotte Building is a new development in the Upper West Side.
Art Deco architecture can be seen throughout the Upper West Side.
Art Deco architecture can be seen throughout the Upper West Side.
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A short walk to Central Park and the Hudson River

To the east of the neighborhood lies Central Park West, Manhattan's largest green space. This 843-acre park was designed in the 1850s by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, two of the most notable names in landscape architecture of their time. Upper West Side residents have some of the best access to the park. They can bike past the Central Park Carousel, sail model boats at Conservatory Water or picnic on the Great Lawn before a summer concert. Riverside Park runs along the western border of the community. This 4-mile-long park includes sports fields, playgrounds and miles of paved trails for exercising along the Hudson River.

Central Park Lake is right next to the Upper West Side to give visitors easy access.
Central Park Lake is right next to the Upper West Side to give visitors easy access.
Upper West Side residents can relax and take in the sunset over the Hudson River.
Upper West Side residents can relax and take in the sunset over the Hudson River.
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World-class museums and cultural offerings

From theater and comedy shows at the landmarked Beacon Theatre to Puccini at the nearby Metropolitan Opera, the Upper West Side is famous for its art and cultural offerings. Children and adults alike can spend the day exploring the American Museum of Natural History or stargazing at the Hayden Planetarium. Some families purchase memberships to the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, where kids splash in a huge water table, create their own art and interact with a variety of themed exhibits.

Upper West Side's Beacon Theatre offers many different shows for locals to enjoy.
Upper West Side's Beacon Theatre offers many different shows for locals to enjoy.
The Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is on the Upper West Side and is extremely famous.
The Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is on the Upper West Side and is extremely famous.
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Accessible dining, delis, and grocery stores

People don't necessarily move to the Upper West Side for its dining options. “The restaurant scene is not going to be overly expensive or fancy like other parts of Manhattan. It’s much more down-to- earth and humble,” says Varvara. Popular, old-school Jewish delis include Barney Greengrass and Pastrami Queen. Zabar’s is another neighborhood staple, with a nova salmon counter and freshly baked bagels. The Michelin Guide praises the Singaporean-style offerings at Wau and the modern Greek-style cuisine from Eléa. There are several large grocery stores in the community, including Westside Market NYC, Whole Foods and Fairway, as well as some gourmet and specialty markets, like Citarella. The Shops at Columbus Circle, near the southwestern corner of Central Park, is an indoor mall with Momofuku's Bang Bar and shops such as Swarovski and Williams Sonoma. On Sundays, artisans and antiques dealers bring their wares to the Grand Bazaar NYC, which takes place at the corner of West 77th Street and Columbus Avenue.

Fairway is a popular grocery store in the Upper West Side.
Fairway is a popular grocery store in the Upper West Side.
City Diner is preferred by locals who need family-friendly dining.
City Diner is preferred by locals who need family-friendly dining.
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Home to some of the city’s top schools

A number of public schools serve the community's many children. Some kids begin at P.S. 84 Lillian Weber, rated an A on Niche, while others attend A-rated P.S. 87 William Sherman. Middle schoolers can apply to their choice of area schools, including Lafayette Academy, an A-rated French-English dual immersion middle. P.S. 333 Manhattan School for Children scores an A-minus. Frank McCourt High School, which is named after the Pulitzer Prize-winning author, also scores an A-minus. There are several renowned private schools in the neighborhood as well, such as the coed, Episcopal Trinity School, rated an A-plus for its kindergarten through 12th-grade education. With both Columbia University and Barnard College just a few blocks north of the Upper West Side, continued learning opportunities are also nearby.

PS 163 Alfred E Smith is a pre-k-5th grade public school in New York.
PS 163 Alfred E Smith is a pre-k-5th grade public school in New York.
Frank McCourt High School - School Murals
Frank McCourt High School - School Murals
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Close to express trains and crosstown buses

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority's 1, 2 and 3 trains move along Broadway, while further east, the A, B, C and D trains make stops along Central Park West. For drivers, the West Side Highway connects to both downtown Manhattan and farther north. A number of buses serve the area, including a few crosstown buses that run from West End Avenue all the way to First Avenue on the east side. LaGuardia Airport is about 8 miles east, and emergency care is available at Mount Sinai Morningside, on the corner of Amsterdam Avenue and West 114th Street.

The 2 and 3 express trains run directly into the Upper West Side.
The 2 and 3 express trains run directly into the Upper West Side.
Access to the B and C local trains are easy in the Upper West Side.
Access to the B and C local trains are easy in the Upper West Side.
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Holiday events in Manhattan

Though Rockefeller Center and Times Square are more than 1 mile south of the Upper West Side, residents of Manhattan can all expect more traffic around Christmas and New Year's due to the influx of tourism. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day traditionally starts at the corner of Columbus Avenue and West 72nd Street, which is at the southern edge of the community.

Amber Snider
Written By
Amber Snider
Leon Cato
Photography Contributed By
Leon Cato

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Laguardia

21 min drive

Subway

103 Street (1 Line)

Subway

96 Street (1,2,3 Line)

Subway

86 Street (1,2 Line)

Subway

79 Street (1,2 Line)

Subway

72 Street (1,2,3 Line)

Bus

Broadway & W 74 St

Bus

Riverside Dr & W 77 St

Bus

Broadway & W 92 St

Bus

Riverside Dr & W 74 St

Bus

Columbus Av & W 75 St

Bus

Central Pk W & W 86 St

Bus

Broadway & W 76 St

Reviews

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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Upper West Side US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 3 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 4
Larceny 2 4
Crime Score 2 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
10,185
Number of Homes for Sale
404
Median Year Built
1926
Months of Supply
4.80
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,623
Significantly above the national average
1,931
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,118
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,314
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
769
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
457
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
1,742

Open Houses

  • Thursday, Apr 9
    5 - 6:30pm

    905 W End Ave Unit 81, New York, NY 10025

    $3,250,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 2,290 Sq Ft
    • 905 W End Ave
    • Unit 81
    • New 1 day ago

    Rare Spring Offering: Classic Seven Pre-War Condo This coveted high floor 4 bedroom corner residence is move-in ready and offers 2,290 square feet of refined living space, seamlessly blending pre-war elegance with sophisticated modern upgrades. Equally compelling is the flexibility of condominium ownership, offering a more streamlined purchase process along with greater freedom for ownership

    Andrew Feiwel Compass

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  • Saturday, Apr 11
    12 - 2pm

    118 Riverside Dr Unit 7D, New York, NY 10024

    $2,690,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 118 Riverside Dr
    • Unit 7D
    • New 1 day ago

    Glorious park, river, and blue sky views stream through eight picture windows spanning nearly 60 feet of western exposure on Riverside Drive! If you've been waiting for an elegant pre-war home with grand scale rooms and show stopping views - you found it! At approximately 2,000 SF, this lovely apartment must be seen to be appreciated. The expansive loft-like living/dining room is a wow,

    Lynn Sullivan Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC

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  • Wednesday, Apr 8
    6 - 7:30pm

    334 W 87th St Unit PHA, New York, NY 10024

    $2,000,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 334 W 87th St
    • Unit PHA
    • New 3 days ago

    Perched atop a classic Upper West Side building on West 87th Street between West End Avenue and Riverside Drive, this beautifully renovated penthouse offers a rare combination of refined design, exceptional storage, and remarkable outdoor space. The residence is encircled by a stunning north facing terrace that spans the full perimeter of the home, creating a seamless connection between

    Mary Elizabeth ( Adelson Douglas Elliman Real Estate

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Condo Buildings

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
135
Median Rent
$5,630
Median Single Family Home Rent
$5,800
Median Townhouse Rent
$4,850
Median 3 Bedroom Townhouse Rent
$9,373
Median Condo Rent
$5,000
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$7,000

Demographics

Total Population
103,519
Median Age
47
Population Density
184 ppl/acre
Population under 18
17.3%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25.8%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$125,082
Significantly above the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$160,420

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
96.5%
College Graduates
81.4%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
46.8%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
69.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
50''
Average Winter Low Temperature
28°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
18''

Area Factors

Exceptionally friendly

Bike Score®

90 / 100

Exceptionally friendly

Walk Score®

100 / 100

Exceptionally friendly

Transit Score®

100 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Upper West Side