Let’s put it this way; if we were to write about why you shouldn’t move to the Upper East Side, you’d likely be staring at a blank page.

Trying to highlight everything this legendary slice of New York City offers is like trying to buy cheap, front-row tickets to “Hamilton”; it’s impossible.

But some of the Upper East Side’s most magnetic traits stand above the rest, driving the desirability of one of the Big Apple’s most coveted neighborhoods. 

The blinding luxury of Park Avenue, the glamor of Madison Avenue’s high fashion, Central Park right at your doorstep; the list goes on and on. But amidst the affluence, there’s an unmistakable air of authentic New York City, and the Upper East Side streets create a residential experience that can satisfy almost any buyer.

Below, the team from Prevu Real Estate will give you a private tour of this iconic area and showcase the top reasons to live on the Upper East Side.

Reasons to live on the Upper East Side

• Pre-war architecture at its finest

• Easy access to Central Park & Carl Shurz Park

• Museum Mile & Madison Avenue

• Pockets of unique neighborhoods

• Accessible commuting

• Unrivaled food scene

Pre-war architecture at its finest

Both the Upper East Side and its twin to the West are famed for their pre-war architecture. 

The buildings that line Park Avenue, Lexington, and the famed Museum Mile are considered by many to be the pinnacle of pre-war New York City architecture.

These high-rises feature exclusive co-op layouts, such as the Classic 6 and Junior 4, where high ceilings, unprecedented (for NYC standards) square footage, and immaculate design characterize a historical era of NYC luxury.

“The Classic 6 is one of the most sought-after layouts because of its flexibility,” said Sara Gladstone, an Upper East Side expert for Prevu Real Estate. “The so-called “maid’s room” gives buyers a lot of versatility to design their home as they see fit, and the Classic 6s on the Upper East Side are incredibly unique.” 

But on the Upper East Side, pre-war isn’t always synonymous with multi-million dollar price tags. 

Slip out of the extravagance of Park Avenue and head further east towards the river; there, you will discover a side of the Upper East that isn’t just glitz and glamour. Still as desirable as any coveted NYC real estate, the pre-war homes here range from charming studios to low-key one-bedrooms, all benefiting from everything the Upper East Side has to offer.

Easy access to Central Park and Carl Schurz Park

Park Avenue may have Central Park on its doorstep but settle closer to the East River, and you can access Carl Shurz Park. The riverside gem is a unique bonus to anyone residing close to York Avenue, offering dog runs, stunning views of Queens and Brooklyn, and pockets of green space.

Plus, if you ever want to explore NYC’s verdant centerpiece, just hop on a bus, and you should be there in about seven minutes.

A recreational paradise in the middle of a concrete jungle, Central Park isn’t only a vast, green space; it’s also a cultural hotspot. SummerStage, Rumsey Playfield, and Shakespeare in the Park’s Delacorte Theater bring outdoor recreation and world-class entertainment under one (open-air) roof. 

But arguably the best part of all? Central Park can be enjoyed year-round.

Summer ushers in picnics and group yoga on the Great Lawn, but winter brings the park’s ice skating rinks to life. The Lasker Rink and Wollman Rink sit at the northern and southern tips of Central Park, respectively, making outdoor ice skating accessible no matter which side of the park you’re on.   

Museum Mile & Madison Avenue

Every NYC neighborhood has its unique calling cards, whether it’s Midtown’s Times Square or the Upper West Side’s Lincoln Center. The Upper East Side’s are some of the most famous in the world. 

Hollywood classics were filmed on the streets of Madison and Fifth Avenue for their exuberant display of high-end fashion. No matter how much of a hardened New Yorker you are, Madison Avenue and the neighboring Museum Mile can make a tourist out of anyone.

You don’t need to go shopping to enjoy the innovative storefronts that bear the names of renowned designers and jewelers. Madison Avenue has always been as much a spectacle as it is a unique shopping destination. 

But if raucous crowds hypnotized by name brands really aren’t your thing, just head one block east to 5th Avenue. 

Museum Mile stretches 22 blocks, from 110th St. to 82nd St., and is arguably the Avenue’s most iconic strip. 

The famous museums you’ll find here, from the Guggenheim Museum to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, are centerpieces of NYC’s cultural and celebrity scene. Renowned exhibitions, from Da Vinci to Van Gogh to Basquiat, Frick’s Fifth Avenue Garden, and the star-studded Met Gala are all on the menu for Upper East Siders.     

Unique neighborhoods on the UES

• Yorkville

• Carnegie Hill

• Lenox Hill

Yorkville

Stretching from 79th St. to 96th St. between 3rd Ave. and the FDR Drive, Yorkville should check every major item on a homebuyer’s list. Almost every other block has new restaurants or coffee shops to discover, some of which are nestled between prime examples of the UES’s pre-war architecture.

Anyone yearning for a residential pace should feel right at home in Yorkville. It’s just far enough from the congestion of Museum Mile and Fifth Avenue and is nearly insulated from the noisy FDR Drive thanks to Carl Schurz Park. 

Carnegie Hill

Few neighborhoods in Manhattan can match the elegance and sheer luxury of Carnegie Hill. Overlooking the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir and sprawled over Park, Madison, and Lexington Avenue, this tiny stretch of old-world opulence is one of the most coveted areas in the city.

Settle here, and Museum Mile’s top cultural institutions will be on your front porch, while Central Park will host your daily exercise or outdoor routine. Though known for its luxurious mansions and townhouses, Carnegie Hill is also practical.

Third Avenue is a go-to for restaurants and cafes, Lexington Avenue hosts many shops and bookstores, and East 86th provides access to the Q express train.  

Lenox Hill

Arguably the beating heart of the Upper East Side, Lenox Hill is also one of the largest neighborhoods in New York City.

Spanning eight avenues, including Fifth Avenue and York Avenue, Lenox Hill serves as a link between the Upper East Side’s classy residential airs and the corporate hustle and bustle you’ll find as you head below East 60th St.

A sea of shopping options, including the legendary Bloomingdale’s on Lexington and 59th, and countless eateries that range from Michelin-starred to local pub define how eclectic this evergreen neighborhood is.

Accessible commuting

Turn back the clock to 2017, and this section wouldn’t be here. But after the Q express line finally opened on 2nd Avenue, the Upper East Side could finally boast about convenient commuting options.

Before the 2nd Avenue line, Upper East Siders had to settle for the Lexington Avenue green lines, the 4, 5, and 6. Though they would connect commuters to Grand Central and Harlem, the green lines were notoriously unreliable and didn’t feature a convenient express train. 

Today, the Q allows for much faster connections to the rest of the city, especially for residents living along 1st and York Avenues.

Unrivaled food and entertainment scene

In the shadow of such monumental attractions as Museum Mile and Fifth Avenue, it can be easy to overlook how rich the Upper East Side’s cultural scene can be.

The Park Avenue Armory, a titan of art installations, avant-garde theatre, and community involvement, is a cornerstone of the area’s entertainment. Unique exhibits and theater productions choose the Armory for its diverse and flexible space, and some of the city’s must-see events are often held there.

As for the dining, the Upper East Side can be a mecca of sorts. 

Amid the giants like J.G. Melon and Smith & Wollensky are numerous locales that constantly redefine the Upper East’s evergreen food scene.

Head to JoJo’s by Jean-Georges for brunch inside an upscale townhouse; take the Q train north to 86th St. for authentic German fare and craft beer at Heidelberg’s; or satisfy your sweet tooth at the Sweet Shop NYC, a classic candy shop that whips up custom milkshakes.

Interested in buying an apartment in the Upper East Side? Browse listings and see how much you can save with Prevu’s Smart Buyer Rebate.