Differences between living in Chinatown and Upper East Side
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When people say they are living the American dream, New York is the city that first comes to mind. This is probably where the true meaning of the melting pot is understood. For some, New York is the main challenge and the first step where they will taste their life and their ambitions. The city that never sleeps offers diversity and a chance for anyone who wants to live that dream. People often want to start this dream in Manhattan, the center of economic and cultural life. Manhattan real estate is one of the most expensive in the world, so choosing the right neighborhood has many challenges. We will now try to introduce you to the main differences between living in Chinatown and Upper East Side. These two neighborhoods have many differences, but what unites them is that they are both in Manhattan.
There are plenty of differences between living in Chinatown and Upper East Side
New York itself is a symbol of diversity. In this city, in addition to the diversity of people from different nations, you will have neighborhoods with a completely different look. From the urban aspect to the lifestyle of the people who live in these places, to the price of real estate. Chinatown and the Upper East Side are two neighborhoods that differ in many ways, but they are part of New York and give it a distinctive character. Before you decide where you want to move make sure to look at the movers NYC cost. This way you will know how much the relocation to one of these fabulous neighborhoods will cost you.
Upper East Side
Upper East Side extends east from Central Park, from Fifth Avenue to the East River, and north from 59th Street to 110th Street, where it borders East Harlem. Within these boundaries are three neighborhoods: Carnegie Hill, Lenox Hill, and Yorkville.
It is a luxurious neighborhood with a rich heritage. Some of the most famous American families have come from the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The Kennedys, Rockefellers, Roosevelts, and Carnegies had their homes in this classy neighborhood. Here you will find a more relaxed way of life. When you move with reliable Upper East Side movers to this neighborhood, you’ll be living in a place with exciting historical and cultural heritage, as well as plenty of green space. In fact, this chic neighborhood has everything you need. Local markets, luxury stores, excellent restaurants, fitness centers, cinemas as well as some of the most famous museums are located here.
Chinatown
Lower Manhattan is an exciting cultural heritage. What was once a small enclave around Pell, Doyers, and Mott streets has grown considerably in recent decades. Chinatown stretches from the Lower East Side to the east, Tribeca to the west, Little Italy to the north, and the Civic Center to the south. It is home to the largest group of Chinese in the Western Hemisphere. When you walk through the streets of Chinatown, you feel as if you have stepped onto another continent.
You’ll find many stalls selling exotic food on Mott and Grand streets. Some of the best restaurants are in Chinatown, from Chinese to Indonesian, Thai, Vietnamese, and Hong Kong cuisine. You’ll encounter bustling sidewalks where residents are from newcomers to locals who have lived in this area for generations. However, as more and more Chinese move to other municipalities, the population is diversifying.
What is your lifestyle?
If you’re considering moving your new home with the help of professional movers in NYC to the Upper East Side, one of the things that attracted you was probably the lifestyle. Lifestyle is the determining factor when choosing which neighborhood to live in. The Upper East Side and Chinatown have very different styles of living.
The crowdedness of the neighborhood and the frequency of daily life is one of the main differences between living in Chinatown and Upper East Side
If you’ve been to Chinatown with reliable local movers NYC, you know you haven’t chosen a quiet neighborhood. Here, you’ll encounter an exciting daily rhythm. A tight-knit neighborhood with an exciting array of local markets and stores is what impresses at first glance. True lovers of Asian cuisine will find their little paradise here. You will find the most diverse offer of Asian cuisine in the restaurants and on the street.
Today, Chinatown consists of two distinct parts, west, and east. The western part is home to the older generations of residents who arrived in the mid-twentieth century. The eastern part is inhabited by newcomers from the immigrant community. On the other hand, this neighborhood is surrounded by expensive neighborhoods like the Lower East Side, Soho, NoHo, and Tribeca. It is still densely populated with a mix of residential and commercial buildings.
Living next door to Central Park
The Upper East Side is considered an upscale neighborhood where you will find evidence of this characterization along its spacious avenues. Carnegie Hall is one such example. There is also Madison Avenue, 5th Avenue and Park Avenue, which are home to luxury buildings with distinctive doormen. On the other hand, there are quiet streets with typical stone houses. Like one of the ones, Carrie Bradshaw lives in.
The Upper East Side also offers an exciting urban lifestyle with many great bars, cafes, restaurants, and large green spaces. Central Park can become your playground and a place to spend quality time in outdoor activities. Central Park will offer you many contents:
- Cycling
- Various outdoor recreational activities: yoga, fitness classes, running, organized marathons
- Concerts
- Central Park Zoo
- Fishing
These are just a few of the many things that this unique green space has to offer.
Commuting needs
If you have successfully moved to Chinatown with the professional help of Chinatown movers, you surely know that you have easy access to public transportation. This well-placed neighborhood offers its residents easy transportation to other parts of the city. Several subway lines run around Canal Street. The Manhattan Bridge also connects Chinatown to downtown Brooklyn. It’s also safe to bike here, as there are several bike paths in Chinatown. The city recently installed two city bike stations in the neighborhood, on Division St and Bowery as well as Forsyth St and Canal St.
On the other hand, living on the Upper East Side is very convenient because you won’t need to travel to get to some of New York’s tourist sites. If you’ve heard right, you can simply walk. You can easily walk to Central Park and the famous museums (Guggenheim Museum, Sotheby’s, The Jewish Museum). It will take you 45 minutes to walk from the Guggenheim to Times Square. Also in 2017, Upper East Side got three new subway stations as part of the 2nd Avenue subway project.
Parking
Street parking is very difficult to find in Chinatown. This is especially true when a sporting event is taking place at Capital One Arena. However, at least five parking garages are available. One of these garages is also located in the Capital One Arena. As for parking on the Upper East Side, it is plentiful, but finding a free spot can be a challenge. Parking is charged, but there are also areas where you can find parking spots free of charge. Parking meters cost about $8 for a few hours. Third Avenue and Madison Avenue have plenty of metered spots.
Housing prices
Real estate costs have skyrocketed in recent years. For example, in Chinatown, the average rent for a studio apartment is $2,400 and up. The rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $2,800 and up. Many older residential buildings have been demolished and new high-rise buildings have been built. On the other hand, the median rent on the Upper East Side is $3,000 and up.
To buy a home on the Upper East Side, keep in mind that the median price is about $1,500,000. Real estate in this area is some of the most expensive in New York City. Super luxury townhouses reach prices of $88,000,000. If you are in the process of preparing for a move, Manhattan moving and storage company can make your move safe and efficient.
Chinatown vs Upper East Side attractions
Both settlements have their own charm and attractions that make them authentic. The differences between living in Chinatown and Upper East Side are, among other things, what make them distinctive parts of New York.
What makes Chinatown a unique destination?
When you started packing with moving boxes NYC moving companies provided you with, you knew your life would be filled with exciting people and sights.
For a start, there are many street markets. The most popular are those on Temple street and Pagoda street. You will find an urban mix of excellent food offerings, on the other hand, religious temples await you. This area is extremely attractive to all visitors to Chinatown. One of the attractions is the NUS Baba House, built around 1890. The NUS (National University of Singapore) Baba House was actually the ancestral home of the Wee family. Interestingly, this house has remained architecturally intact and contains many porcelain antiques, furniture, and other works of art. You can visit this exhibition on the first two floors, while the third floor has been turned into a gallery.
One of the attractions is the Buddha’s tooth relic temple. This impressive four-story temple contains a 2-meter solid gold stupa that houses a sacred relic. Other attractions include the Sri Mariamman Temple, the Pinnacle@Duxton Skybridge, Singapore City Gallery, and the must-see Chinatown Street Market. Don’t forget to bargain at the market, but do it with a smile. You should get a good price.
Some of the great things the Upper East Side has to offer
UES is one of the most beautiful and prosperous neighborhoods in New York. You’ll find great restaurants and bars, shopping in chic boutiques, and rich cultural life. Some of the world’s most famous museums are located here. The Upper East Side is home to the fifth largest museum in the world, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, known as the MET. It was founded in 1870 and contains over 2 million works of art.
Here you can enjoy the exhibition of works from different epochs of the world. It is no wonder that it is the most visited museum in New York with more than 6 million visitors per year. But that’s not all, don’t miss the Guggenheim Museum (museum of abstract art), The Frick Collection (museum of Renaissance and early 20th century works), The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), American Museum of Natural History, The Jewish Museum. Once you put your items in the Manhattan storage, you will have plenty of time to visit all of them!
Enjoy the benefits of living near The Central Park
Living next to Central Park is one of the biggest advantages of living here. In the spring or summer, you can simply enjoy the lawn while reading a book or having a picnic with friends. You can also rent a rowboat and enjoy the lake around the Bow Bridge. You will also have an outdoor cultural life with many shows and cultural events. For the record, Shakespeare is playing in Central Park during the summer. Buy your ticket in time.
Final thoughts
Chinatown is a dense urban area full of restaurants, bars, cafes, grocery stores, and open-air markets. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into the Orient with all the spicy smells, the Mandarin language around you, and a vibrant daily pace. This neighborhood is also home to many young professionals. You’ll find a diverse community here. Compared to Manhattan standards, Chinatown is a more affordable place to live, but it’s certainly not cheap. If you are considering moving your home to Chinatown, you can always count on professional movers NYC has to offer. They will organize your relocation and move your belongings efficiently and safely.
On the other hand, the Upper East Side is known for its luxury real estate, designer boutiques, and proximity to Central Park. It is also possible to find more affordable apartments and a relaxed lifestyle on some of the tree-lined streets. A large number of community centers, as well as highly ranked schools and plenty of green space, will give you the feeling of living in a city apart.
As you can see there are many differences between living in Chinatown and Upper East Side, but what they have in common is the spirit of New York. No matter where you choose to relocate you will not make a mistake!
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