As a 22 year old living in Manhattan, a neighborhood that doesn't quite stand out as "exciting" is the Upper West Side. Compared to its trendy cousin to the south, Hell's Kitchen, the UWS is composed mostly of older residents: families and retirees greatly outnumber partiers and college students. With the exception of Columbia's immediate surroundings, much of the UWS is what a lot of people would call "The retirement community of Manhattan."
This past summer I moved to 72nd street. I made a conscious decision to trade in late-night bars and loud streets for a studio within walking distance to both school and work. That didn't mean that I gave up looking for hidden gems in my new neighborhood. Here, I will share what I find. From delicious delivery to cheap drinks, I will share my experiences as a young adult in an old adult's neighborhood.
EDIT:
Let's be real here: living in my first real apartment is pretty cool. But you know what's not cool? Being a "commuter." As a college senior, nothing seemed cooler than living in my own apartment. Sweet parties! No roommate! MY OWN BATHROOM! You know what I never considered? The scarlet letter that is the "commuter" label. God, I miss free utilities. And don't even get me started on laundry.
Here, instead of being upbeat and making the best of it (my initial goal), I'm going to do what I do best: complain. Here you will see what sucks about living off-campus. Sure, I'll be able to find a few positives, but according to my life philosophy, the negatives will be easier to discover.
So, I give you the viewpoint of a single, senior college student, living alone on the Upper West Side. Enjoy?
