"Shoppers are out of luck: Stores are practically nonexistent along Riverside Drive, although they bustle just a block or two away."
Sigh. And the subway doesn't stop on Riverside Drive either.
That's what living on a beautiful stretch of New York City means. No storefronts, relatively little pedestrian traffic and therefore cleaner streets and less noise.
These are not drawbacks.
Re "shoppers": They can have all the luck they want just two blocks away. And use their legs to get there.
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i think there was a time grant's tomb was considered passe - but DO go ..... beautiful building and quite an emotional tribute. a genuine monument
3
@t power
And despite Ulysses S. Grant's association with crooks -- probably because as an honorable man he really didn't recognize dishonor in others -- his legacy is a fine one, from winning the Civil War to ensuring, as far as he could, black people's civil rights.
Well, the South and its KKK sure taught him a lesson.
He died flat broke and in excruciating pain from cancer, but his autobiography, finished only days before he died, kept his wife from penury.
The people of New York City erected this monument to a man who always tried to do the right thing and in some places succeeded beyond probability. It is beautiful and poignant.
And now -- I can't help saying it -- we have a President Trump whose service to his country and to his fellow man has been nil. I don't believe he's ever even thought of such a thing.
7
Thanks for mentioning the Riverside Park Conservancy. To all those residents and wannabes of the area: please donate to the Conservancy! The parks department is only responsible for the lawns and hardscape (paths, stairs etc.) as well as trash removal and playgrounds. All of the greenery — gardens, shrubs, many trees — are planted and cared for by the hardworking Conservancy staff and many dedicated volunteers. (Tree care is shared.) The dog runs are also a Conservancy responsibility, and run by volunteers.
Riverside Park is the beloved "backyard" of the western Upper West Side. Please donate — and volunteer! — to keep it green and beautiful.
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"Lesser known"? To whom?? Look at the Wiki entry to find a whole lot of references to Riverside Drive, including several songs and plays that have it in the title.
9
I lived the first 6 years of my life on 115th and RSD. It was lovely.
3
I can afford a one bedroom apartment...in Queens.
4
Nice article, but since the Drive, like Mother Hudson herself, flows downward from Inwood to the UWS and onward to the sea, the sentence "From its source at West 72nd on the Upper West Side, to its mouth, at Dyckman Street in Inwood" sounds strange.
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@alocksley
Last I checked the Hudson was tidal and Riverside Drive a two way street.
1
Late 80s, two of the best years of my life; upper West Side for grad school at Columbia; ran Riverside Park every day and lived a short walk on 125th. Photos brought back sweet memories, but shame on Sotheby's ads for blocking the captions.
6
Morningside Heights was once called "the Athens of America." I lived on Riverside and 116th Street for 20 years. It was heaven.
Within a few blocks is Columbia University, with all its public opportunities,Barnard College with its many charms, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Jewish Theological Seminary, Union Theological Seminary, four schools between 110th and 115th Street, a public library -- all this with gorgeous views of the Hudson and a wonderful park just across the street. There's nothing quite like it in Manhattan -- or anywhere.
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My first apartment in NYC was on Riverside and 103rd... a studio looking over the water on the 4th floor. Trees in the summer and a river view in the winter. It was a glorious haven, and I wondered for years why so many people said that living in Manhattan was stressful. When, needing more space I moved to Columbus Circle, I understood why. The move made me appreciate even more the gifts of my riverfront spot... peaceful morning walks, smiling neighbors, singing birds, clean air, inspiring views, and nature (and the world) at my door and feet. Heaven.
13
As I read this lovely article about the beauties of Riverside Drive, my heart said “shush” developers are listening.
12
A memory. I lived in a rent controlled brownstone on RSDrive & 76th street for 19 years. The rent started at @$150/month; when I left the walk-up for an elevator building it had more than doubled ($350+)! Compared to many other UWS Manhattan neighborhoods, it was always quiet - no wailing sirens. The apartment faced the back yards of all the other brownstones, filled with gardens and trees; the branches of one tree were right outside my bedroom window, with birds sitting in them in the early mornings. Only problem was I had to walk to Broadway to do laundry; no machines in the building. There was a crime period, and the neighborhood association hired private security to patrol the area for about a year.
8
Riverside Drive, "lesser known" or "obscure"? Not by New Yorkers. I've lived in NYC all my life and for people like me Riverside Drive was the finest street in the city. My wife and I have the good luck to have lived on the Drive and to face the "lordly" Hudson these past forty years. The author of this piece cannot be a native New Yorker. The essay displays considerable ignorance of the neighborhood. It is true that the park was neglected for years and that at night it was a no-go area, but now as the picture in the story makes clear it is an absolute gem. And Broadway with its abundance of shops is two short blocks away, and the West Subway is the same short distance away.
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@John Richetti
"Stores are practically nonexistent along Riverside Drive, although they bustle just a block or two away."
Subway stops are "a short walk away."
So what exactly is your problem with the article??
3
I recently celebrated my 40th anniversary of living on Riverside Drive. So I know a bit about Manhattan and my neighborhood.
Of course, I may be ever-so-slightly biased but... I think my neighborhood, that includes the fabulous Riverside Park and the Henry Hudson River, is perfect.. for me... and probably anyone else who wants a park for a front yard and quick access to the subway.
If you can afford to live in NYC, I recommend it!
14
I was fortunate to live on or near Riverside Drive for most of the 13 years I lived in Manhattan. It was a lifesaver, to be able to watch the tides go in and out, to have a relatively fresh breeze. It provided easy transportation toward Midtown by bicycle or number 5 bus.
But not when the Dominican drug dealers hung out at night in the park, blasting their music and shooting guns 3-4 nights a week. They ruined my health completely. Sleep deprivation has serious consequences. I passed on a fantastic apartment in order to get out of Hamilton Heights, which I did, but in the long run, it meant having to leave New York whether I wanted to or not.
8
Riverside Drive is a lovely road with some of Manhattan's most beautiful architecture. The good news is one need not be wealthy to live there.
At time of publishing it may not have been available; a glance today at Streeteasy offers a studio in an HDFC co-op at #834 for $120K. HDFC buildings (including the storied Grinnell at #800) have an income ceiling for buyers, even though apartments in Grinnell may cost more than a million dollars.
There are Mitchell-Lama buildings at River View Towers (#626) and River Terrace (on Riverside Drive W. at 156-20/157-10 in Audubon Terrace). These co-ops have long waiting lists after which one may eventually score a 1-bedroom or larger apartment for just a few thousand dollars. These are also meant for moderate-income buyers. The latter has an impressive list of current/former residents including former NYC Mayor Dinkins, jazz composer Ron Carter, and neurologist Dr. Carolyn Brockington.
International House at #500 offers single-room occupancy available for graduate students and young professionals. Minimal amenity rooms are available from $1071/month.
13
My husband & I love our new home overlooking the Hudson & Riverside Park. Peter, a photographer, is documenting the traffic on the Hudson. He wants to produce a photo book illustrating the activity that we see every day. Utterly gorgeous. Hard to imagine we are living in New York City.
6
Baseball fields along riverside park are close to the public, If you want to play a game of catch, your out of luck. The fields are lock unless you get a permit.
4
Lived just off riverside for 8 years. Biggest regret I have is having left. Best place to live in Manhattan
17