I know these two have wayyy different vibes but we really do like them both for different reasons and I work in both neighborhoods.
We‘re moving from Tribeca and are currently eyeing 2 apartments in these two areas. We have a 7 month old so school is on the horizon but not here yet. We just don’t know what to do...
Thoughts? In one respect, UES seems so much easier. Great schools, activities for kids, Central Park, grocery stores, clean, lots of families. West Village is obviously “cooler” with better restaurants, better access to transportation, etc.
Don’t forget there are a lot of wonderful schools downtown. My kids went to FPCNS and are at Grace Church now and we couldn’t be happier. PS 41 and 3 are some of the best publics in NYC.
We lived in WV for many years and had first DC there. Sounds like you have good apt options in both places, but for what we wanted (3 br w elevator), UES had many more options. We moved uptown kicking and screaming but have been SO happy and would never go back. There are good schools everywhere, but the UES has a huge concentration of the top preschools and ongoing schools. DCs are in great schools uptown and most of their classmates who started downtown moved uptown after a year or two. As much as I loved the WV, you could give me a townhouse in the WV and I wouldn't move there now. Live close to schools, you can go out downtown as much as you want!
I don‘t know how you could like both equally since they are so different, but if that’s the case I’d go with UES. I’m applying to K this year and not looking forward to commuting with my kid next year from downtown. Being close to school will save you so much time and make play dates a lot easier.
Life is short. If you can buy in the village you should. That said, think about how you like to spend your time and who you want to be around. For me it would be a no brainer.
GV
Are you buying or renting? If renting, flip a coin. You can always change your mind later :) If buying, UES. Better resale value opportunities, better schools overall (public and private), better park access, better bang for the buck in terms of apt size.
Why are you leaving Tribeca?? I know it's boring but it is sooooo easy with kids.
I would move to WV because I like it so much more. The public schools are great, the zoned middle school would be a super easy commute, the park access is phenomenal and it's kid-friendly without being brain dead or antiseptic.
We are considering leaving Tribeca once we know MS/HS placements and our first choice is to move somewhere within 5-8th Ave & Houston to 14th. Ideal subway access, ideal housing stock, ideal neighborhood.
We're on the border of WV/GV and we've loved raising our kid down here, so far. HOWEVER, depending on where she goes to K next year, we might make the move to UES just to be closer to school and most school friends (also way more bang for your buck, apt.-wise). You can always make the move later, if you want!
Restaurants are great but you can still go to them any time you like. i moved kicking and screaming to the UES and honestly love it. Kids are happy, life is easy, there are some good restaurants (our favorites are JoJo, Eastfields, Quality Eats, Seraphina, Sant Ambroeus, Le Charlot, Via Quadronno, Flora, Hutch and Waldo, the Bluestone Lane cafe, Emmy’s, and Bocado cafe if you’re looking for inspiration)
I would go West Village just because I really like a lot of restaurants downtown. I know that's silly. But if it doesn't matter for a work commute and you're happy either place - why not be downtown?
UES. You're a parent. You're not cool anymore. Make your life easy.