The Upper West Side is a very livable neighborhood with something for everyone.
The Upper West Side has a low violent crime rate and a below average property crime rate for New York City.
The Upper West Side (UWS) is one of Manhattan's largest neighborhoods, running the entire length of Central Park (50 blocks in all!). This is one of the city's calmer neighborhoods It's got plenty going on along its avenues, but its leafy side streets tend to be almost entirely residential.
It's also surrounded by two of the city's most scenic green spaces. On the east of the neighborhood you've got the iconic 840 acre Central Park with miles of walking and running paths, an ice rink in winter, concerts in summer, the Central Park Zoo, woodlands and ponds, a public pool, restaurants, and plenty of green space to play Frisbee or just lay in the sun. On the west, bordering the Hudson River, is Riverside Park, which offers 330 acres of biking, walking, and running, a marina, dog runs, sports fields, playgrounds, a skate park, and the Boat Basin Café – a great place to have a beer at sunset.
At the southern edge of the neighborhood is Columbus Circle, a transit hub which also has a mall, restaurants, and hotel in the Time Warner Center. Heading north into the core of the neighborhood, most shopping, restaurants, and bars tend to be located on Amsterdam or Columbus Avenues. You'll find a range of chain stores and unique boutiques for retail options, and laid back diners to celebrity chef spots for dining.
When it comes to the arts, you're close to all the music and performances at Lincoln Center and the mesmerizing American Museum of Natural History.
Everyday conveniences like pharmacies and grocery stores are never far away. There are also dozens of schools for children of all ages.
All of this adds up to a great neighborhood for young professionals and families alike and it's one of Manhattan's most beloved areas.
The Upper West Side is bordered on the north by Morningside Heights and Harlem, on the east by Central Park, on the south by Hell's Kitchen, and on the west by the Hudson River.
Commute:
Wall Street: 7.7 miles / 25-60 minutes by car / 30-35 minutes by transit
Rockefeller Center: 2.5 miles / 15-30 minutes by car / 20 minutes by transit / 20 minutes by foot
Jersey City: 11.5 miles / 35-70 minutes by car / 50 minutes by transit
Upper West Side LOCAL schools
Upper West Side Local Flavor 
This incredible museum is an explorer's dream, featuring artifacts and animals from all over the world and geological scale. This is a place to take your kids and wander around for hours.
A world class venue for the arts, Lincoln Center hosts musical and theater events throughout the year.
This is a cozy neighborhood bakery where a steady stream of loyal regulars stand side by side with tourists, eager to taste the legendary baked goods.
A legendary spot known for its inexpensive, high-quality hot dogs. The "papaya" in the name refers to the papaya fruit drink sold at the establishment.
Award-winning Greek cuisine at reasonable prices, with appetizers all under ten dollars and main courses at just ten to eighteen dollars.
Delicious cream puffs. 'Nuff said.
A romantic spot that's become the place to go before and after the movies for dinner, or to enjoy a great dessert and an expertly-made cappuccino. This restaurant has made its own cameos in movies like You've Got Mail.
New York's famous Upper West Side gourmet emporium, specializing in the finest coffee, smoked fish, caviar, cheese, deli meats, kitchen equipment and housewares.
Photo Credits: Thanks to @SteveIsaacs, @EliasFriedman, @TheTurducken, @AndrewHyde, @skeddyinNYC, @Sarah_Ackerman, @mukund76, @BillieGraceWard, @Olaf, @jpop219, @abbymmack, @macchinanyc, @chicagobeermuscles, @juliealexandria00, @thenewyorker, @teeteeinthecity, @machiii0216, @alisajeaniepete, @borelli.leo, @lagrai, @alizgandr, @bigmrsfoodie, @whitney_yang_hp, @dogsoftheuws, @jamkins56, @ericedunn, @handehtn, and @julsmonti for your great photos of this neighborhood!
