Nestled between Central Park and the East River, the Upper East Side comprises two square miles of some of the most expensive real estate in the US, as well as the nation’s highest concentration of individual wealth. While it is similar in many ways to the Upper West Side (which is considered more culturally diverse and arty), the Upper East Side is seen as more conservative and politically motivated. XXX L 4 XXX Accommodation Mansions and enormous pre-war homes are part of everyday life for the fabulously wealthy residents of the Upper East Side. If you go east of Lexington you can still find some fairly reasonable townhouses and co-ops. It’s worth noting, however, that if you do find a reasonably priced home, it will probably be a ‘fixer-upper’. The area along Central Park has a collection of tall apartment buildings and formerly private mansions of old New York families. Most homes were built between 1900 and 1930 and have doormen, working fireplaces, patios and terraces. It also features plenty of luxurious serviced apartments that serve as temporary housing for the wealthy. XXX L 4 XXX Shopping & Amenities Two words: Fifth Avenue. The street buzzes with the sound of thousands of cash registers and it’s where you’ll find the flagship stores of some of the world’s most famous brands. Madison Avenue rivals sections of Fifth Avenue in terms of shopping. Presided over by legendary department store Barneys (p.358), Madison Avenue offers thousands of ways to part with your money. XXX L 4 XXX Entertainment & Leisure The Upper East Side has no shortage of cultural institutions, including ‘Museum Mile’, which is home to the Guggenheim (p.220), the Met (p.221) and the Jewish Museum (p.221). Excellent restaurants such as Daniel (p.388) and Café Boulud (p.387) live here. XXX L 4 XXX Health Nearby hospitals include Lenox Hill Hospital (www.lenoxhillhospital.org) and New York Presbyterian (www.nyp.org). Alternatively, Mount Sinai Medical Center, on 100th Street, is close enough (www.mountsinai.org). XXX L 4 XXX Education This area is also known for an exhaustive list of some of the most elite schools in the nation, including the nationally recognised Regis (www.regis-nyc.org). XXX L 4 XXX Traffic & Public Transport It’s easy to get around the area on foot or by bicycle, and of course you’ll find plenty of yellow cabs looking for tipping passengers. Trains to the Upper East Side include 4, 5, and 6. Trains to Central Park include A, C, B, D, R, N and 9. XXX L 4 XXX Safety & Annoyances Overcrowding, particularly on Madison Avenue and along Museum Mile during touristy times of the year. Watch out for the accompanying pick-pockets and bag-snatchers. The proximity to Central Park and all the great shopping make this area a tourist magnet, and expect plenty of congestion over the holidays or in summer.