Inspired by the famed play Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story is set in the mid-1950s on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. According to Wikipedia, this musical explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. The Sharks, who are migrants, and the Jets, who are white, vie for dominance of the neighborhood. The protagonist, Tony, a former member of the Jets and best friend of the gang’s leader, falls in love with Maria, sister to the Shark’s leader. And the story unfolds from there!
I’m not sure if we have that kind of drama near me but tons of territorial types live throughout our great City. We all have our particularities and preferences, just like some folks do in the ‘burbs. But in the City since space is at a premium, once you’re locked into a dry cleaner or shoemaker or drug store, you are loathe to change. We all create quite a commotion and fight for counter space or sidewalk space or blades of grass when any of those areas deemed by us to be “ours” are threatened by outsiders or interlopers or people who don’t know our unspoken rules. Even though the City is vast, we all feel a certain sense of home ownership in our neighborhoods and have real thoughts about those who live downtown or on the “other” side of the Park, depending on our reference point.
The Upper West Side has the reputation of being New York City’s cultural and intellectual hub. John Lennon used to live here! The area is also considered to be among one of the wealthiest neighborhoods. (I think that is true for every inch of the City now. Am I right??) My ‘hood has been featured in so many memorable films (You’ve Got Mail, When Harry Met Sally) and television shows because of its stunning architecture, diverse community, and swanky cultural life including opera, theater, ballet and music.
To me, it’s all that, plus it’s just where I live and I do love it. The backstory is that I selected this exact neighborhood when my son was entering elementary school. We were living in Chelsea, which I loved, but I wasn’t crazy about the public schools there. Moving to a spot so he could get a top education was my goal and that’s why I made the schlep uptown.
I’ve been a resident here for a long time… so I don’t think twice about cutting through the courtyard at Lincoln Center because it’s the fastest route from my house to Whole Foods… but I never take that landmark for granted. New York City always amazes me! Just the other day I had a nice sit down at Hearst Plaza to just relax and admire the reflecting pool in one of those complimentary Adirondack chairs. Sitting there dwarfed by the surrounding skyscrapers still fills me with excitement that I live in New York! I know I am so lucky.
And I always walk through Central Park to get to my dentist. I walk past tourists and runners, bikers, dog walkers and commuters. Whether the trees are in full bloom or losing their leaves, the Park is always a magnificent sight with fresh air and usually a musical of some kind as I make my way across town. Standing in the middle of the Park and seeing the spiky City skyline surrounding me, it’s always surreal.
I’m also fortunate to have a roof deck atop my building. Since we are located on the west most street in Manhattan we enjoy unobstructed views of the sunsets, George Washington Bridge, and the Hudson River. We always see a flurry of aircraft cruising by and boats and ferries in the harbor. And the breeze in the summer is a lifesaver, although in the cooler months it’s a whole different atmosphere up there! It’s so relaxing to have a great water view and still be enveloped by the City.
You might not have heard but the Upper West Side has gotten a whole bunch of new places. The streets are packed with locals and visitors from near and far lining up for PopUp Bagels, Kossar’s bialys and spreads, the great salads and burgers from the huge new Westville, and a NYC sushi favorite Sugarfish just opened with The Mermaid Inn for seafood soon to return. We even have a swanky Chanel fragrance outpost, and a Le Labo perfume store. And hold onto your hats but a huge double story Wegman’s is coming, too! I can’t wait.
My Upper West Side Story is a great love story. I moved into the neighborhood for my son but became a permanent resident because of all the wonderful offerings, cultural options, and delicious choices that surround me. For a fast getaway, I’m minutes from a tunnel or bridge (more on that next week!) and only twenty minutes from LaGuardia. And each time I leave, I’m thrilled for a change of scenery… but on my way back home, I’m reminded that I just LOVE New York.
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