Saturday, November 14, 2015

"Where do you live in New York?" (Part 3)

In this installment, here are still more answers to the question "where do you live in New York?"

The Upper East Side, or UES.  There is some debate about the precise borders of the Upper East Side.  Since we live on the north side of 59th Street just east of Third Avenue, we might be termed cuspers, or even poseurs.  

If you ask a real estate agent, you will likely be told the UES covers 5th Avenue to the East River and 59th to 96th Streets (see first map below). So, we are safely within the UES albeit on the border. 

If you ask a group of East Siders, you will get many different answers.  In fact, their answers will tell you a lot about them, where they likely live and what their financial means probably are.  For example, if some tells you that the UES is the 70's and 80's from Fifth to Park, then you might be talking to a successful hedge fund manager or even old money.  A recent poll illustrates the disparity of what East Siders think, which is reflected in the second map below.
Conventional wisdom of real estate agents:  the UES = Fifth Avenue to the East River, 59th Street to 96th Street

From DNAinfo.com:  The different outlines on the map represent different definitions of the UES.  The most controversial border is the "Berlin Wall" at 96th Street. 
So, we might or might not actually live on the Upper East Side, depending on whom you ask.  It's no big deal for us, since we enjoy where we live whatever it is called.  (P.S.  We do not live next to or anywhere near old money.  We live in the sensible section of the UES.  Sensible is a relative term, of course.)   

Near the Roosevelt Island Tram.  Our building is just around the corner from the Roosevelt Island tram station, Manhattan side.  The tram crosses part of the East River, connecting Manhattan and Roosevelt Islands.   Many people know about the tram from films and theme parks.  Here are some photos.
Tram in flight over the East River

The tram from our apartment, approaching the Manhattan station
Our building seen from the tram as the tram approaches the Manhattan station.  (Our building is the orangish-brown tower near the center of the photo. If you look closely, you can spot Susan.)
We experienced a frightening incident while riding the tram.  (If you look closely, you can spot Susan.)

Image result for spider-man saving the tram
Thankfully, Spider-Man happened by, lowered the tram to a trash barge that was conveniently passing underneath and saved the day.  A happy ending to be sure.  Kong was captured and sent to a no-kill animal shelter in Brooklyn, still awaiting adoption.

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