This is one of the most famous areas in the city, if not the world. It is bordered by Central Park West, an avenue which runs for 51 blocks along Central Park’s west side, from 59th to 110th Street. Every time you have watched a movie featuring scenes of Central Park, with its supple greenery bordered by some of the most luxurious apartment buildings you can imagine – you are looking at the Upper West Side.

Accommodation

Its pre-war loft apartments, luxury condos and four-storey brownstones are an integral part of the city’s architectural character. Nearly all the accommodation in this area is on the fancy side – this is where Charlotte and Miranda (of Sex and the City) had their posh pads.

Shopping & Amenities

The area has plenty of good neighbourhood shopping, including a good collection of supermarkets, delis and pharmacies that are open around the clock.

Entertainment & Leisure

The focal point of this area is, of course, Central Park. This breathtaking haven reaches from Midtown to Harlem and provides millions of New Yorkers with a daily dose of natural beauty. When you are strolling over its rolling hills and past its ponds, over its bridges and through its gardens, you feel like you are no longer in the city but in a fanciful forest. The park features recreational activities for people of all ages and tastes, including the Central Park Zoo, ice skating rinks, and the Delacorte Theater, where Shakespeare is performed each summer. For more information on what the park has to offer, go to www.centralpark.com.

But there is much more to this area besides the park. The Upper West Side is also home to several historical and cultural institutions, including the world-famous Julliard School of Music, Grant’s Tomb, Lincoln Center, and Columbia University. The Upper West Side has typically been home to several famous artists, writers and dancers.

Some of the city’s most famous restaurants are found in the area, including Per Se, Jean Georges and Tavern on the Green.

Health

There are several healthcare facilities close to the Upper West Side. Lenox Hill Hospital is located at 100 East 77th Street (212 535 6273, www.lenoxhillhospital.org). New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center is located at 525 East 68th Street (www.nyp.org). Weill Cornell Medical Associates is located at 12 West 72nd Street, between Columbus Circle and Central Park West (212 746 7800, www.cornellphysicians.com).

Education

The two big names in Upper West Side education are the Juilliard School of Music (www.juilliard.edu) and Columbia University (www.columbia.edu). Both these institutions have educated people who have gone on to become rich and famous: Jamie Foxx, Kelsey Grammer and Robin Williams are all graduates of Juilliard, and Columbia counts Jack Kerouac, Madeleine Albright and Art Garfunkel among its many alumni. Being an area that is popular with families, there are also plenty of schools and pre-schools around.

Traffic & Public Transport

It’s a great area to walk around, with relatively quiet streets and good sidewalks. It’s also popular with cyclists, who can make use of an extensive network of cycle paths (although drivers using cycle paths as parking spaces can cause problems). Trains to the Upper West Side include: A, C, B, D, 1, 2 and 3.

Safety & Annoyances

This is a pretty ideal area to live in, and perhaps the biggest annoyance is not being able to afford it.