CHELSEACRAMER

An upscale residential street, 5th Ave is home to notable museums making it a tourist draw. Walk along this avenue and you may even get to watch a taping of the hit show "Gossip Girl". Have lunch on the steps of the Met or buy a painting on the street near the Guggenheim. Closer to Central Park South, there are many vendors selling everything from artwork to books and CDs.

West End Ave is where home buyers go if they are looking for an apartment with a lot of square footage. It is a residential street but not as sought after as the nearby Riverside Drive so co-ops will go for a little less. Families flock to this area to find apartments with more than one bedroom that will not break the bank. Not as busy as Broadway, it is a good street for fast city walking if you don't want to get slowed up by tourists.

If you want to live in Manhattan but need to find a cheap place to rent, share, or buy, check out Manhattan Avenue. Made up mostly of walk-up buildings, this is what can be considered to be a n up and coming residential area. The good news....you can get in on the ground floor and have a great investment property as the neighborhood continues to improve. With its proximity to transportation and Central Park, this street has great potential.

If you are sightseeing on Central Park West and get hungry, take a turn on West 72nd St. Central Park West is mostly residential and the other avenues offer dining but at a higher price. If you are looking for fast Chinese food, Mexican, a Subway restaurant, they are all on this buzzing street. Along with delis, health food stores, and small markets, this is the place to go for a quick bite.

I once looked at an apartment on this street and couldn't believe that a car could actually drive down it! Very narrow! A short street with cobble stones still visible it is a bumpy ride. What you will find on this street are men with boxes of "hot" designer handbags hiding out from cops and the entrance to the one residential apartment building on the street. May be a good place to live if you work downtown but too precarious for me.

With cobblestone streets and the smell of fresh fish in the air, true seafarers will love this unique street in Manhattan. Located near the popular South Street Seaport, Old Slip is less walked by tourists and is a great place to see remnants of "old Manhattan". Museums, pubs, and of course seafood restaurants are all nearby.

You may not think of going all the way to the East River or near a major highway for a relaxing day, but FDR Drive has a great walking area and park so you can exercise and get a great tan in the summer. Jog by the water and watch the boats or go with friends and have a picnic in a scenic location that is mostly free of tourists.

You will be greeted by doormen as you walk along the sidewalk on Riverside Drive. Gawk at the unbelievable lobbies of some of the highest priced co-ops in the city. Imagine yourself living in a penthouse overlooking the river and watching the boats sailing by. Or, walk on the park side and take a picnic lunch to eat on a bench or bring your kids to one of the playgrounds. In the summer, the grassy hill by the water will be covered with young adults tanning and reading the paper.

If you want to experience the goth scene in New York City, St. Marks Place is a must. Buy some exotic leatherwear, get something pierced, get a tattoo, and then recover in one of the local bars. There are many sidewalk retailers selling jewelry sunglasses, and other trinkets. Before you leave, you must have a bite to eat at the automat! Walk up to any of the cubby holes, drop in a few coins and have a fun bite to eat any time of the day or night. I would highly recommend the macaroni and cheese croquettes!

Frequented mostly by Columbia University students, many aren't aware of the unique cafes and shops that are popping up further east on 110th Street closer to Central Park. With the renovation of Frederic Douglas Circle, new businesses are flocking to this area that is changing for the better. Check out the trendy little cafe below Towers on the Park close to Central Park West. Shop at the gourmet grocery store on the south side of the street while you are there.