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This double wide block may be one of the best kept secrets in all upper Manhattan. With set back buildings, many trees, light, air, wild life, a live theater, two art galleries and a private security force make this unlike almost any other block in Manhattan. Being only 1 block long, from 2nd Ave. to 1st makes it less prone to traffic. There is also one very unique loft building on the block.

In many ways East Harlem reminds me of the way New York used to be. Working class, less hustle and bustle, still many indie shops and restaurants, less traffic, easier to park, much more affordable and most of all, it's close to some of the most prime real estate in the world. Having lived here for almost 4 years (coming from the Upper East side) we just recently purchased a loft condo that below 96th street would have cost several million dollars, for less than the cost of a tiny 1 bedroom anywhere else. We moved here to have a large space in Manhattan, and it has improved the quality of our life, even if we do have to travel a little bit to enjoy the best of NYC.

While there are a number of project type buildings around, we quickly found out that the ones surrounding us are actually well kept middle income co-ops (with their own security force). The tenants all seem to have decent jobs, are quite pleasant and many have extremely nice cars which they park in their $30-$90 parking spots. And living across from those buildings does have its benefits, being a double wide street across from set back buildings, many trees, lawns, squirrels and birds.

We have found the people in our building and community to be extremely friendly with a great sense of looking out for one another, and mutual respect. Many of the lower income people in the neighborhood are working families (with many Mexican families) who are lovely, and whose value systems are just like anyone else's; live and let live. I have come home from the 110th street 6 train station or my parking garage near that station ($250 for indoor parking in a brand new building!!!) at 3AM and have never felt the slightest bit vulnerable (though I am a guy). There is a heavy Police presence in the area as well - just don't speed driving up First Avenue at night!

There are new restaurants opening all the time, fantastic shopping at nearby Costco and Target (with 4 more stories being added to that shopping Plaza), a few very good supermarkets (though plenty of poor ones) and some fantastic french bakeries (La Tropezienne). And with the Select Service busses running express stops up and down 1st and 2nd Avenues, it only takes a few minutes to be on 86th street.

Sometimes we feel like we are cheating the system - a very large apartment at a reasonable price, right next door to the "rest" of Manhattan. Will it ever evolve to the density of the Upper East side? No, but we're fine with that, and evidently so are some of our neighbors who have very healthy incomes and could live in other areas if they wished to.