Help me enjoy the Upper West Side, aka my new home.
November 1, 2010 11:24 AM Subscribe
NYCFilter: Help me find local services in the upper west side
I just moved to the upper west side! Since I'm new to New York in general, I enjoy hearing all living tips, but here's the questions I would most like to get answers for:
- I need a cleaning service. Two bedroom apartment with two cats. How much can I expect to pay, and does anyone have any recommendations?
- I need to join a gym. Closeness has always been a priority in the past. I have seen a few gyms in the neighborhood of the 96th street stop, and would love to hear about recommendations on any or hidden gems I might have missed.
- I need a haircut. I've got short hair, and a pretty standard "guy's haircut" I guess. Nevertheless, I'm used to going to a pretty high quality hair professional, but NYC prices are ... taking a while to get used to. Can I get salon-like care for < $70?
- Should I commute to Brooklyn? 35 minutes on the subway seems like it's going to be much nicer than 35 minutes fighting traffic in a car, so I'm not too concerned. What's the chance I get a seat during rush hour at 96th street (8:45pm - 9:15am)?
- I used to climb in SF, and would love to do that some more here. Any recommendations?
This is around 101 and west end.
I just moved to the upper west side! Since I'm new to New York in general, I enjoy hearing all living tips, but here's the questions I would most like to get answers for:
- I need a cleaning service. Two bedroom apartment with two cats. How much can I expect to pay, and does anyone have any recommendations?
- I need to join a gym. Closeness has always been a priority in the past. I have seen a few gyms in the neighborhood of the 96th street stop, and would love to hear about recommendations on any or hidden gems I might have missed.
- I need a haircut. I've got short hair, and a pretty standard "guy's haircut" I guess. Nevertheless, I'm used to going to a pretty high quality hair professional, but NYC prices are ... taking a while to get used to. Can I get salon-like care for < $70?
- Should I commute to Brooklyn? 35 minutes on the subway seems like it's going to be much nicer than 35 minutes fighting traffic in a car, so I'm not too concerned. What's the chance I get a seat during rush hour at 96th street (8:45pm - 9:15am)?
- I used to climb in SF, and would love to do that some more here. Any recommendations?
This is around 101 and west end.
This is my gym, on West End between W. 96th and W. 97th. It is super, mostly because I like to swim and sit in the jacuzzi after a hard workout.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:34 AM on November 1, 2010
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:34 AM on November 1, 2010
- I need a cleaning service. Two bedroom apartment with two cats. How much can I expect to pay, and does anyone have any recommendations?
If your building has a notice board look there or ask a porter who they would reccomend. There are usually people who are known to the residents and building staff that you might want to go with.
- I need a haircut. I've got short hair, and a pretty standard "guy's haircut" I guess. Nevertheless, I'm used to going to a pretty high quality hair professional, but NYC prices are ... taking a while to get used to. Can I get salon-like care for <>
I go to Hoshi Coup on 108 it is around 45$
- Should I commute to Brooklyn? 35 minutes on the subway seems like it's going to be much nicer than 35 minutes fighting traffic in a car, so I'm not too concerned. What's the chance I get a seat during rush hour at 96th street (8:45pm - 9:15am)?
No chance of a seat, it also takes me more than 35 minutes to get from 96 to Wall street
posted by Ad hominem at 11:55 AM on November 1, 2010
If your building has a notice board look there or ask a porter who they would reccomend. There are usually people who are known to the residents and building staff that you might want to go with.
- I need a haircut. I've got short hair, and a pretty standard "guy's haircut" I guess. Nevertheless, I'm used to going to a pretty high quality hair professional, but NYC prices are ... taking a while to get used to. Can I get salon-like care for <>
I go to Hoshi Coup on 108 it is around 45$
- Should I commute to Brooklyn? 35 minutes on the subway seems like it's going to be much nicer than 35 minutes fighting traffic in a car, so I'm not too concerned. What's the chance I get a seat during rush hour at 96th street (8:45pm - 9:15am)?
No chance of a seat, it also takes me more than 35 minutes to get from 96 to Wall street
posted by Ad hominem at 11:55 AM on November 1, 2010
I have no commentary on the UWS, but oh my god do not drive anywhere in the New York City area, especially in Manhattan, on weekday mornings. The subway's crowded jungle of exposed armpits is far more preferable to (shudder) driving above ground during rush hour.
I know most people rely on cars in SF, but owning a car in Manhattan is usually an expensive luxury that, if you can afford it, will still probably be used on weekends only.
posted by zoomorphic at 11:59 AM on November 1, 2010 [2 favorites]
I know most people rely on cars in SF, but owning a car in Manhattan is usually an expensive luxury that, if you can afford it, will still probably be used on weekends only.
posted by zoomorphic at 11:59 AM on November 1, 2010 [2 favorites]
A few thoughts having commuted from the UWS (116th St. stop on the 1 train) to Midtown: Almost no chance of you getting a seat, especially if you're taking the 2/3. Also, don't see how you would get to Brooklyn in 35 minutes. The 1/2/3 had constant delays over the summer. If your question is actually "Should I commute to Brooklyn?" the answer is no, that would be an annoying commute and not one I would want to make on a daily basis. If your question is "Will commuting to Brooklyn be miserable?" the answer is also no, you will survive, but it will probably take more than 35 minutes and you will stand up most of the time except on those rare occasions you can grab a seat. The 2/3 is packed.
posted by good day merlock at 12:15 PM on November 1, 2010
posted by good day merlock at 12:15 PM on November 1, 2010
Gym: Reebok Sports Club (67th and Columbus). Pricey but nice, and the walk down is a good warmup. It does have a climbing/bouldering wall, of course nothing like a proper climbing gym.
Haircut: Julie at Jude and Me Salon (112th and Broadway). $42/cut.
Commute: Likely longer than 35 minutes to Brooklyn during rush hour. Probably won't get a seat on a 1. The C will be less crowded if you don't mind walking over.
posted by casaubon at 12:17 PM on November 1, 2010
Haircut: Julie at Jude and Me Salon (112th and Broadway). $42/cut.
Commute: Likely longer than 35 minutes to Brooklyn during rush hour. Probably won't get a seat on a 1. The C will be less crowded if you don't mind walking over.
posted by casaubon at 12:17 PM on November 1, 2010
Visit....
www.yelp.com.
Plug in your address and it will help you find highly rated goods and services in your area.
It is how I found many of my favorite things in my area.
posted by Studiogeek at 12:46 PM on November 1, 2010
www.yelp.com.
Plug in your address and it will help you find highly rated goods and services in your area.
It is how I found many of my favorite things in my area.
posted by Studiogeek at 12:46 PM on November 1, 2010
Don't count on getting a seat on the subway at that time of the morning, although you'll sometimes get a chance to snag a seat at 42nd street when half the commuters transfer to other trains.
I recently drove a Zipcar (you should get a membership!) from the UWS to Brooklyn at 11 a.m. and it took 45 minutes. During rush hour? I'd imagine it could take over an hour and a half. 35-45 minutes is about right when you're on the 2/3 going from 96th St. to the Atlantic terminal.
I have a friend who's happy at the 96th Street Sports Club NY, but she says classes are too crowded.
Don't ever waste your time or money eating at Mama Mexico. If you're looking for a great grocery store, skip Gristedes and D'Agostino's and walk up to 110 & Broadway to check out Westside Market. Lots of cheese samples there, too! Fairway is fantastic, but not as close as Westside, and there's a new Trader Joe's near 72nd St. TJ's is only one express stop from 96th St. You also have a a couple of fairly good organic food markets between 101st and 96th on the west side of Broadway.
posted by HotPatatta at 1:05 PM on November 1, 2010
I recently drove a Zipcar (you should get a membership!) from the UWS to Brooklyn at 11 a.m. and it took 45 minutes. During rush hour? I'd imagine it could take over an hour and a half. 35-45 minutes is about right when you're on the 2/3 going from 96th St. to the Atlantic terminal.
I have a friend who's happy at the 96th Street Sports Club NY, but she says classes are too crowded.
Don't ever waste your time or money eating at Mama Mexico. If you're looking for a great grocery store, skip Gristedes and D'Agostino's and walk up to 110 & Broadway to check out Westside Market. Lots of cheese samples there, too! Fairway is fantastic, but not as close as Westside, and there's a new Trader Joe's near 72nd St. TJ's is only one express stop from 96th St. You also have a a couple of fairly good organic food markets between 101st and 96th on the west side of Broadway.
posted by HotPatatta at 1:05 PM on November 1, 2010
You moved to the Upper West Side so that you could commute to a job in Brooklyn?
Honey, you shouldn't commute to Brooklyn. You should MOVE to Brooklyn.
OK, now I'll stop mouthing off and answer your question.
Yelp is great for all your "which gym is closest/most convenient?" or "what cleaning service do people in the neighborhood like?" questions. My favorite way to dig out this stuff is to find a reviewer I like and then see if they have a "My Neighborhood Favorites" list they've made up.
Agree about Mama Mexico - it blows. Don't eat there.
I tend not to prefer getting my haircut in or near my neighborhood - I just go with a salon I like, regardless of location. If location comes into it, I typically prefer to choose a neighborhood that is fun to spend a Saturday wandering in. There's something about haircuts that makes a natural field trip/fun day out in the city - though I sense you are a guy so you may not have romantic notions about haircuts.
posted by Sara C. at 7:23 PM on November 1, 2010 [2 favorites]
Honey, you shouldn't commute to Brooklyn. You should MOVE to Brooklyn.
OK, now I'll stop mouthing off and answer your question.
Yelp is great for all your "which gym is closest/most convenient?" or "what cleaning service do people in the neighborhood like?" questions. My favorite way to dig out this stuff is to find a reviewer I like and then see if they have a "My Neighborhood Favorites" list they've made up.
Agree about Mama Mexico - it blows. Don't eat there.
I tend not to prefer getting my haircut in or near my neighborhood - I just go with a salon I like, regardless of location. If location comes into it, I typically prefer to choose a neighborhood that is fun to spend a Saturday wandering in. There's something about haircuts that makes a natural field trip/fun day out in the city - though I sense you are a guy so you may not have romantic notions about haircuts.
posted by Sara C. at 7:23 PM on November 1, 2010 [2 favorites]
Noche Mexicana at 102 and Amsterdam is ten times the restaurant Mama Mexico is at half the price and no obnoxious Mariachis. Try the pumpkin flower quesadilla or the shrimp diablo or the superb mole sauce.
Best haircut in your hood is Juanito's at 104 and Bway, for $12. Great Dominican barbershop, old school. Why anyone pays more than $20 for a men's haircut eludes me. It is not rocket science. It's a craft. I've been going there for ten years. All the barbers are good. Long wait sometimes. They are meticulous.
A seat at rush hour at 96th on the 2/3?
Good luck with that.
posted by fourcheesemac at 8:23 PM on November 1, 2010
Best haircut in your hood is Juanito's at 104 and Bway, for $12. Great Dominican barbershop, old school. Why anyone pays more than $20 for a men's haircut eludes me. It is not rocket science. It's a craft. I've been going there for ten years. All the barbers are good. Long wait sometimes. They are meticulous.
A seat at rush hour at 96th on the 2/3?
Good luck with that.
posted by fourcheesemac at 8:23 PM on November 1, 2010
You're also around the corner from a legendary slice at Sal and Carmines, 103 and Bway.
posted by fourcheesemac at 8:25 PM on November 1, 2010
posted by fourcheesemac at 8:25 PM on November 1, 2010
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My wife used to commute from 110th St. to Brooklyn (transferring from the 1 to the 2/3 at . She says you won't be able to get a seat during rush hour. She usually got to sit down when all the business folks got off the train at Wall Street. But of course, far better than driving, I'd say.
posted by rustcellar at 11:31 AM on November 1, 2010