Manhattan is synonymous with the sets of popular sitcoms such as Friends, Gossip Girl, and Sex and the City. The Upper East Side of Manhattan is the ideal choice for recent grads as well as young professionals to live their dream life. Are you planning to move to this trendy neighborhood? Well, before making the big move, here’s your neighborhood guide covering all key info. Keep it handy for details on average rent and restaurants in the Upper East Side. Certainly, this neighborhood guide will make your search for rooms for rent in the Upper East Side, Manhattan much easier.

Where is the Upper East Side?

The Upper East Side, sometimes abbreviated UES, is a neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. It’s bounded by 96th Street to the north, the East River to the east, 59th Street to the south, and Central Park/Fifth Avenue to the west. Further, the region incorporates several smaller neighborhoods, including Lenox Hill, Carnegie Hill, and Yorkville.

Related: Living in NYC: Affordable Neighborhoods In Manhattan

Find Rooms For Rent in the Upper East Side, Manhattan

Although the Upper East Side is best known for its premium real estate, well-known prep schools, and luxury stores, this calm and sunny area also has cheap flats and comfortable rooms for rent. Also, the Upper East Side moves at a slower, more relaxed paced than other neighborhoods in Manhattan, so it will suit you if you’re a more laid-back type.

Upper East Side real estate, particularly townhouses and upscale doorman buildings on Fifth, Madison, and Park Avenue, are generally the types of housing you’ll find in the neighborhood.

Related: How To Find Cheap Apartments in New York? Manhattan Edition!

Average Rent in the Upper East Side

The Upper East Side is a good choice for youngsters and families as it’s filled with opportunities for a relaxed lifestyle. This neighborhood has a diverse population of individuals from various age groups and ways of life. Furthermore, you can easily find a roommate to help you save money on your basic living expenses.

Rooms for rent in the Upper East SideAverage Rent
1 Bedroom Apartment For Rent In Upper East Side $1,967
2 Bedroom Apartment For Rent In Upper East Side $2,826
3 Bedroom Apartment For Rent In Upper East Side $3,972

Is Upper East Side safe?

New York Habitat

If you’re looking for a safe neighborhood in Manhattan, you can’t go wrong with the Upper East Side. Compared to other neighborhoods in NYC, this area is a very safe place to live. Here are a few apps that provide useful neighborhood knowledge that make the process of finding rooms for rent in the Upper East Side hassle-free. Browse through them before your visit and get access to vital information — for free!

  • AreaVibes: This tool provides a liveability score based on the area’s zip code. The liveability score uses an algorithm to weigh amenities, cost of living, safety ratings, education, employment, housing, and weather.
  • Trulia: This site does a great job of helping you find the average rent in the Upper East Side, as well as restaurants to visit. It also gives you reviews from local residents, details on groceries, safety, and shopping. It’s an essential app to refer to while looking for rooms for rent in the Upper East Side, Manhattan.
  • Hotline Numbers: 911 and 311 are the two helpful numbers New York residents use to get info or for emergencies. Basically, 311 is a type of citizens’ hotline. You can call to report issues like abandoned vehicles, road repairs, noise complaints, and graffiti. By adding a second channel for citizens to report problems, 911 operators are free to address emergencies.

Related: Find Rooms for Rent in Manhattan, NY

Public Transit in the Upper East Side

1. Walkability

This neighborhood is the 20th most walkable neighborhood in NYC with a Walk Score of 99. It’s known as a pedestrian’s paradise! When you live here, your daily errands don’t require a car as you can easily get them done by foot.

2. Roads & Traffic

The Upper East Side can feel far away from the rest of the city, so you might be surprised by the beauty of this quiet neighborhood. The neighborhood’s north-south avenues are Fifth, Madison, Park, Lexington, Third, Second, First, York, and East End Avenues. The important east-west streets are 59th Street, 72nd Street, 79th Street, 86th Street, and 96th Street. Taxis represent a major component of the traffic stream and account for about 50% of the total traffic volume.

3. Nearby Train Stations

Being familiar with transit options can help save time while you’re looking for rooms for rent in the Upper East Side, Manhattan. The 4 Train – called the Lexington Avenue Express – is perhaps the most comprehensive option for access to Manhattan and Brooklyn. The Q train travels across Central Park and then makes a run directly through the center of Manhattan with stops along 28th, 23rd, Canal, and Prince Streets, to name a few.

Related: Traveling by NYC’s Transit System: A Guide To NYC’s Subway

4. Nearby Bus Stops

The bus lines M1, M101, M103, M15-SBS, and M98 are routes that pass through the Upper East Side neighborhood and will help you reach any destination around the city.

Restaurants in the Upper East Side

You’re bound to work up an appetite while you’re out and about looking for rooms for rent in the Upper East Side. So don’t forget to explore some of the many restaurants in the neighborhood. Here are our top picks for indulging in a wide range of cuisines while you’re exploring the city.

1. Daniel

A French meal here is one of the best fine dining experiences you can have in the city. Daniel is currently offering a new prix-fixe menu that focuses on food from the South Of France. We can safely say that hands down, this place is amongst the most exquisite restaurants in the Upper East Side.

2. Mission Ceviche

Mission Ceviche specializes in seafood and drinks, such as a typical white fish ceviche with a zesty leche de tigre and a variety of pisco sour variations. Its authentic touch makes it one of the greatest restaurants in the Upper East Side, if not all of Manhattan.

3. Casa Birria

If you’re looking for delicious birria, there aren’t many restaurants in Manhattan that can compare to this one. This cash-only truck serves some of the finest birria from noon to 9 p.m. It’s always parked on the intersection of 86th Street and 3rd Avenue.

Related: Fun Things To Do In Manhattan In A Single Weekend!

Parks in the Upper East Side

In addition to a variety of rooms for rent in the Upper East Side, the neighborhood offers attractive outdoor spaces. In this neighborhood you’ll find lots of gorgeous greenways for you to enjoy, overlooking the sights of the city.

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  • Central Park: If you enjoy exercising outdoors, you’ll have no shortage of options for running and biking in Manhattan’s famous (and massive!) Central Park.
  • Carl Schurz Park: Over on East End, you’ll find the lesser-known but equally beautiful Carl Schurz Park, an intimate space with dog runs and great views of the river.
  • St. Catherine’s Park: This is the perfect spot to unwind after a day’s search for rooms for rent in the Upper East Side.

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Museums in the Upper East Side

1. The Frick Collection

The permanent collections at this museum include world-class paintings, sculptures, and furniture by the likes of Rembrandt, Vermeer, Renoir, and even the French cabinetmaker Jean-Henri Riesener.

2. Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

Having museums near potential rooms for rent in the Upper East Side is a must if you’re an art lover! The first museum in the United States exclusively dedicated to design (both historic and current) was founded in 1897 by the Hewitt sisters. This museum provides interactive family activities on a regular basis that allow kids to experiment with design.

3. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

This museum displays the space’s unusual architecture, with its spiral ramp leading to a domed skylight. If you’re looking for museums on Upper East Side with contemporary art, this place won’t disappoint!

D’you know what else Roomi does outside of helping its readers find rooms for rent in the Upper East Side? With our ever-increasing lists of rooms and roommates across the world, we help you find your perfect match!