1 Ave, Murray Hill

1st Avenue in Murray Hill starts off exactly how you would expect an Avenue in Murray Hill to start off: just a bunch of big boring buildings. The buildings from 34th-36th are all just massive luxury apartment buildings that are hard to tell apart. The nice thing about them, however, is that for luxury buildings, they're not nearly as expensive as other neighborhoods would be for the exact same apartment. The not so nice thing is that the neighborhood is boring as all get out. And, there is a tiny park right at 36th, but it's just about the only green in the neighborhood and it's surrounded by noise and traffic so it's hardly idyllic. There's also a nice little public square across 36th with a cool fountain . . . that is less than idyllic because it's directly across the Avenue from the Queens Midtown Tunnel. The tunnel is hardly aesthetically pleasing and there is always so much traffic right around so you can't exactly enjoy a nice spring day.
The block at 38th is (surprise) big buildings! One side of the block is luxury apartment towers and the other side is taken up by office towers. It's this way pretty much all through the neighborhood. But, the blocks from 39th-41st are taken up by old, abandoned power buildings which actually helps out the cool of the neighborhood however creepy they may be. I'm pretty sure once they are torn down, the high rise, luxury buildings won't have nearly the charm that the rotting old power plant has, sadly.
The block at 41st is the only good block aside from the power plant, and it's equally as creepy. There's a small playground on the east side of the street and playgrounds always creep me out but that just may be my problem. And, across the street from the playground is a bizarre apartment complex called Tudor City. The area used to be called Dutch Hill (where all the drunkards lived) and when Tudor City went up in the 20's, the complex was meant to raise the neighborhood and even took into account that all of the factories and slaughterhouses were on the east side, so there are very few windows on any of the buildings that face east. How nice of them, huh? It kind of looks like an old timey door and it's equal parts scary, interesting, and depressing. I'm not sure what the units look like, and I can't decide if I want to know. But, I'm glad it's there. This neighborhood can use a little more color like Tudor City.
There's nothing to do pretty much in this entire neighborhood and 1st is no exception. There are no restaurants, bars, activities; there's no shopping and no energy. And, the traffic and noise aren't ideal. I would pass on this street unless you found a deal you just can't pass up . . . like free.

this street is really noisy and busy. It seems that it never sleeps. It's rich on shopping centers and boutiques, it is also good on eating out places... But I wouldn't recommend it as a place where to live or to work - unless you are the calmest person in the world!

East 34th Street was intended to be a residential block but over the years it has become a busy business district. It crosses with Park Avenue and brings in a ton of professional foot traffic. The NYU medical center keeps things lively, in a bad way, at all time sand the FDR and Tunnel Approach creates a great deal of traffic. While it's a great location central to all residents really have to be willing to give up peace to live in the area.

This is usually considered as the best area for exquisite dining or sweet bar hopping. The food here is unparalleled for quality, and each restaurant down the street is a must eat at, so you better hope you're hungry when you get there! And of course, if bars are more your types, hit some of them up. For any way of nourishing the body, this is pretty much the best street.

E 34 st is a major residential block in the city too bad it is way too busy with Midtown Tunnel traffic from 3rd Ave to the FDR. NYU medical is at the FDR making noise all hours of the night, awful traffic from the tunnel at all hours makes it hard to cross the street. Also not everyone knows that there is a heliport at the river, which can add to the noise. If you are looking at the Rivergate building it does offer alot of space for the price but a what cost given all the noise.