Ex-NYers Please Weigh In: Battery Park City vs Upper West Side archived

I lived in BPC in the early 90s and it hardly felt like you were in NYC at the time. It has since filled in very nicely. I lived in the UWS on 72nd and 85th streets in the mid 90s. Very neighborhoody and I would live there again in a hearbeat if I didn't have kids. I did not like it as much farther north though. This is over a decade ago though remember.

If I were to pick one today with a family and all I think I would pick BPC. But in empty nest mode I'd pick UWS.

I lived in Chelsea in the 80s and 90s, always dreaming of moving to the UWS. But having spent time more recently in the FiDi, I'd pick downtown in a heartbeat right now. The architecture is fascinating. It's easy to get anywhere in the city by subway. Parks right on the river and the Greenway offer lots of outdoor space. It has a less trampled feeling to me -- obviously it's not exactly undiscovered, but it doesn't feel as overpopulated or as crowded a destination. Nevertheless, there are plenty of fab restaurants and other services and interesting, very distinct neighborhoods nearby. And I saw lots of young families.

Jr, would you say you could find good dining, entertainment and other conveniences in BPC without having to cross westside highway into Tribeca?

Depending on what you're looking for, somewhat. The dining choices in the immediate area tend to be more casual than the destination restaurants around Franklin Street, and not many places seem to stay open late. I understand what you're saying -- West Street is kind of a barricade. And I should add that my experience does not include Battery Park City itself. And I'm coming at this from the point of view of somebody without small children.

Upper West Side and its not even close. BPC is not a neighborhood so much as a manufactured living space. You might have a more convenient time as far as a transportation hub goes but the UWS is far more real.

UWS has plenty of entertainment, conveniences, restaurants, shopping, parks, transportation of its own. There is no comparison to Central Park anywhere else. Riverside park is no slouch as far as recreation goes either.

If I had a choice I wouldnt waste a second on BPC.

Definitely the UWS. I lived there for 6 years and it is very much a family neighborhood with so much available right outside your door. You don't have that in BPC.

So far seems like the feedback is 50/50...unless I'm reading the first few posts incorrectly.

UWS. I lived there for eight years, and loved having access to Central Park and midtown.

BPC is OK to visit occasionally, but I couldn't picture myself living there, except maybe without children if I worked on Wall Street. Probably not even then, though -- it always felt a little soulless to me.

Night and Day.

Have you thought about taking a weekend stay in a hotel in each area to help you decide?

I went to school on the UWS and lived on the UWS. My wife works in BPC. I would say definitely UWS. If I were to move back to Manhattan that is where I would want to live (though I do miss the now gone less developed, rawer, days of the UWS)

UWS is a "real" place. I lived there for over 10 years and enjoy my return visits.
I agree with the observation that BPC is fine if you had no kids.
UWS will offer you a MUCH broader spectrum of family types, nationalities, and income levels. Columbia University is also an AMAZING resource for cultural enrichment and you will be near Bank Street College!

My instinct says UWS, but is a close call.

I agree with others that the primary factor is that UWS is a "real" neighborhood developed over time, probably more diversity in terms of people and architecture than BPC, while BPC is more manufactured. Hudson River Park is amazing, but Central Park is Central Park. My sense (based on very little other than a few conversations) is that BPC attracts people who want Tribeca but are priced out of it, and as Tribeca is one of the wealthiest and least diverse neighborhoods in the city, I'd guess you'd see those trends in BPC as well.

On flip side, as you mention, if newer construction is important, probably more inventory in BPC. And not all of UWS is charming and fits the UWS stereotype -- areas like northern Amsterdam Avenue, for example. As my kids got older, I'd like them to experience West and East Village, which technically are closer to BPC, but I guess both BPC and UWS have good access by subway to other areas.

So I'd say UWS by a narrow margin, probably a wider margin for myself as I like older architecture.

Upper West Side by a long shot. Schools, neighborhood, access to parks, a more residential feel.

Also, BPC may also be lend-lease - which in my mind is something to absolutely avoid. Not only are maintenance charges higher but you have uncertainty regarding the building's future. Please check with your realtor if this is the case.

Both are good neighborhoods.

Here are things I would consider.

1. Transportation: If you work downtown, BPC is better. You can walk. If you work in mid-town, UWS has better subway access. To get to most subways from BPC you have to cross the West Side highway.

2. School Overcrowding: Both have great schools, but UWS has serious overcrowding issues, especially where you are looking. I'm told by friends that PS 163 is a mess. Be careful. BPC has newer facilities and was planned better for schools, in my opinion.

3. Kid Stuff: UWS wins. Central Park, kid spaces. BPC is not bad though. Check out the kids library...

4. Food: Both suck, so it's a draw. UWS may have more variety, but it's not that great. Of course, both blow MWSO away. The one thing about BPC is that you are very close to Tribeca, which has excellent restaurants.

5. People: In BPC you will generally meet financial type people and their families. Not always though. There are lots of other professionals who bought there too, and some artists. But you don't have long-term residents. UWS is more varied, but the days of Bohemia are long gone. It's mostly young and mid-life professionals. You have some artists, but they are generally older or connected to Lincoln Center. And you have lots of public housing projects right in the middle of the area you are looking at.

Overall, it depends on what you want. I'd chose UWS if I had to. But what about Brooklyn Heights. I would prefer Brooklyn Heights to UWS and BPC and I think it's the same price range.

If you keep a car in the city you may want to look at the parking options and costs and how close you are to the bridge/tunnel!
Otherwise you could find zip car locations.

I would do UWS hands-down; I've lived on the UWS and worked in BPC. To me, the UWS is quintessential NY - it's exactly what I think of when I think of NYC. Also, I'd definitely say go as far as 116th St. The nabes around Columbia are really nice now, and it's great to live in such a vibrant area. Columbia's campus is great, too. We lived at 108th and Broadway, so right in the center of the area into which you're thinking of moving. The area west of Broadway is definitely on the quieter side, if you'd prefer that. I would absolutely LOVE to move back to the UWS at some point! Also, I'm not sure if your child/ren would qualify, but look at some of the G&T options in the schools in the districts encompassed in that area. I've heard very good things about the programs, and they're not really publicized.

The reason I would go with BPC is because you don't feel like you are in the zoo of NYC.

Rock, to each his own. I worked in the WTC for many years and am pretty familiar with BPC. The promenade along the river is nice, but the whole area has the flavor of a planned community, although there was one place that was almost an exact duplicate of the foot of Remsen Street in Brooklyn Heights by the BH promenade.

Restaurants seem limited. The only one I remember was a mob owned place where the head of the carpenter's union was shot in the ass while protesting the use of non-union labor during the build out. We use to take out of town visitors there occasionally for the New York flavor. LOL

A couple of people I knew who lived in BPS complained about food shopping. There was only on small supermarket, although they did make pretty good sandwiches to take down to the promenade at lunch time. This may have changed since we moved to Water Street after 911.

Just my opinion.

I like the suggestion of Brooklyn Heights, or possibly Cobble Hill. Are you considering other-than-Manhattan?

UWS in a heartbeat. I was born and raised at 104 and West End, then lived in the nabe for 15 years (between 96 and 116) after college. I still miss it like whoa. Great neighborhood, tons of kids, much less touristy than below 96th Street (I lived at 78th and Columbus for three years, hated having to wait an hour for a seat at my local bar!), good food, excellent subway connections. Only place I would consider moving back to in NYC.

Thanks all. We went for a second look at an apartment we like on the UWS and walked around a little. We were up on 115 and RSD/Broadway - near the Columbia Univ main entrance. I really liked the vibe. Certainly more neighborhood-y like many posters mentioned. Also much more diverse - which is important to us.

So, assuming everything goes as planned, we might end up in a lovely pre-war apartment we saw (and loved).

Keep yer fingers crossed!

Congrats on your move. I know some great people at Corcoran if you need a referral.

My fingers are crossed. I am so jealous LOVE LOVE LOVE it up there!

Posted By: deborahgMy fingers are crossed. I am so jealous LOVE LOVE LOVE it up there!

Me, too! Good for you Hahaha - I would LOVE to live there again. 115th Street has lots of profs and grad students - it's a great, great area. I hope you get the apartment! Pls. keep us updated.

I grew up in exactly the kind of apartment you're probably looking at. Totally wonderful.

I am glad you are going to the UWS. Battery Park City is a hellhole with absoutely no culture or neighboorhood feel. I lived in both places (BPC as a corporate apartment when I was transferred back to NYC and UWS when I found my beautiful apartment.

It's mostly transient people (LOTS of expats) who don't really want to deal with "NY" or financial district people using it as work pied-a-terres - it's really just a big suburban-like complex. Avoid.

Posted By: deborahg(I lived at 78th and Columbus for three years

I was probably at "your" bar! Nanny Rose? I lived at 74th between Columbus and CPW from '83 until '93. (Rented in the New Millburn Hotel on 76th before that!)

HAHA Yes, you were! Bitch! We were at 113/Bway from 83-86; 78/Col from 86-89; then high tailed it back up to the high numbers to get away from all the tourist-yuppies!

LOVE the UWS. Rented there for years, once on 110th, once on 101st and CPW, and once on 94th near Bway. I am jealous, but I am wishing you the best.