Moving to Upper West Side

The Upper West Side of Manhattan is one of the NYC neighborhoods that does not get nearly enough credit as it deserves. Most people are looking at other areas, overlooking this gem. To be completely honest, the region has some dark reputation stemming from the ’70s, which accounts for most of it. But those days are long gone and moving to Upper West Side might be one of the best decisions of your life. However, before you come to a decision you might want to know more about the area and find a good moving company to get you there. Best Movers NYC can help with the latter, and match you with an ideal moving partner for the occasion. But for now, let’s see what you might want to do before actually relocating to your new neighborhood.

Before moving to Upper West Side

Relocating to another place can be quite difficult. You need to know what you are getting yourself into, and that might take some time. Therefore, start as early as possible and:

• Research potential home locations
• Find a reliable moving company
• Prepare for the relocation process

By doing these things, you will put yourself in the most favorable position when the time to relocate actually comes. Furthermore, you will ensure that you are working with the best movers in Upper West Side, all but guaranteeing a smooth relocation process. When it comes to living in the area, you might want to know more about the pros and cons that come with it, as well.

Moving to Upper West Side – What to expect?

Every neighborhood is unique. They all have their fair share of advantages and drawbacks. What you need to do is figure out whether the unique mix that Upper West Side offers is right for you. You can ask your local movers in Manhattan for some inside information, to start with. But for the most part, simply keep on reading as we will cover most of the things you need to know.

Pros and cons of living in Upper West Side

Upper West Side has plenty of going for it. The community is great, Central Park is nearby, and there are a lot of unique bars to explore, to mention a few. But there are some drawbacks, such as all but nonexisting nightlife and absolutely exorbitant home prices. But let’s go into a bit more detail, so you can understand what is waiting for you.

Pros

Community, Cuisine, Arts

To start things off, the main draw of the Upper West Side lies in its people. The area is well-known for having a population that has a strong sense of community. This is a neighborhood that has managed to retain its residential atmosphere and unique charm in a commercialized setting. Moving to this area will cost you quite a bit lower than in most Manhattan neighborhoods. Furthermore, it features amazing culinary delights from all over the world. There’s a range of options right there in the neighborhood. The New York Bakery is in the area, as well as Levain’s Bakery renowned for its chocolate chip cookies. You will definitely not run out of options when the craving for some delicious food kicks in.

You can get your arts “fix” at the Lincoln Center, where you can enjoy numerous performances such as New York City Ballet, Metropolitan Opera, and many others. Or you can visit the American Museum of Natural History and gorge your eyes upon massive fossils. To put it simply, if you’ve never been to this place, you simply have to. It is absolutely amazing.

Bars, Central Park, Shopping

As mentioned previously, this area is home to some magnificent bars. If your idea of good fun is hanging out in a bar, shooting darts, playing board games, and similar, this might just be the place for you. The community in Upper West Side is much more “calm” than in other neighborhoods, and they enjoy their bars with a passion. You can always find someone to play billiard or other games with, and you can do so in a variety of places. And if you want to simply relax and walk your daily worries off, Central Park is nearby. Being so close to it, you can actually get to the park before most people have the chance to arrive. That gives you peace and quiet that most simply can’t get.

Lastly, there are some great shopping options in the neighborhood. You can get your culinary ingredients at Fairway Market-Upper West Side, and all the other groceries at Trader Joe’s. These are some of the most popular destinations not only in the neighborhood but in entire Manhattan.

Cons

Housing market

Before you make the decision to relocate, you might want to consider housing costs. There’s no way around it, buying, or even renting a home in Upper West Side is simply outrageous. For a standard one-bedroom apartment in Upper West Side, expect to pay around $2000 in rent.

Furthermore, if you think that this will get you a dryer and a washer inside the place, think again. Most of these apartments are in buildings that use communal washing machines and dryers. Most of the time, there is only one of each, as well. A studio with more amenities will set you back anywhere between $2500 and $3500 and upwards. Add to that the cost of hiring residential movers NYC and you are looking at a hefty investment. It is best to carefully consider your finances before moving to this neighborhood.

And if you want to buy a home, you better be prepared to spend around $300,000 – $350,000 for a decent studio in a co-op. If you want a one-bedroom apartment, that will set you back $500,000 and up. If anything might dissuade you from moving to Upper West Side, this is going to be it. But if you can manage to find a good deal, either on rent or a home, you will have successfully circumvented the most negative aspect of the neighborhood.

Nightlife options

Upper West Side does not have any party scene to talk about. Simple as that. If you are looking to “go wild” at the night in Upper West Side, you may want to consider your choice of neighborhood.