The Observer takes a look at the growing number of born and bred UES twenty-somethings who are shunning a post-collegiate move to the city’s grittier, hipper neighborhoods for a move back to more familiar surroundings. Excerpt:
Ms. Cusick said her decision to stay put on the Upper East Side was based “entirely on location." Whether she’s going to work in midtown or downtown, the 6 train is “right there.” Having her parents close by has also proven convenient, she said.“I can go over for dinner," Ms. Cusick said, "the housekeeper comes over to clean for me, I can stop by and pick up a bottle of wine; I get to play with the dog, then return it. It’s nice.”
Lately, a lot of her high school friends have moved back uptown after getting SoHo, the Lower East Side, or Chelsea out of their system, she said.
“At a certain point, being downtown just looses its appeal," she said, "you wake up and its like waking up in the apartment you partied in the night before."
The piece also includes New York City Dwellers real estate broker Hassan Abadi offering his thoughts on the UES’ popularity among “the younger generation”, which he says is no longer the "last resort":
“About a year-and-a-half ago, the younger generation started asking to live on the Upper East Side and I would say it's getting to be as popular as Chelsea,” Mr. Abadi said. “If their budget allows they still usually want to go to below 23rd Street to NoHo, the East Village, or the Lower East Side. But the Upper East Side is no longer the neighborhood of last resort; that’s Midtown West, I’d say. Generally they don’t like the Upper West Side either, because it's too industrial, I think.”
The Local: More Kids Dating SoHo, Marrying Upper East Side [NY Observer]
So I guess I should have kept that horrible forth floor walk up that I had when I was 18? I actually thought that it was cool then.. at least I wasn't on Long Island. As I recall Upper East Side Manhattan real estate was pretty posh then... I guess it fell out of fashion...and like anything is coming back around.
Posted by: LuxGlenwood | April 25, 2008 at 02:27 PM
The Upper West Side is "too industrial"? Huh? Real estate agents really will say anything, even if it doesn't make sense.
I could do with fewer 20-somethings. Second Avenue fratboy pub crawl is losing its charm.
Posted by: Josh | February 17, 2008 at 02:04 AM