The Central Upper West Side offers tree-lined brownstone blocks, excellent schools, and easy access to both Central and Riverside Parks. A quintessential Manhattan family neighborhood.
The Central Upper West Side offers tree-lined brownstone blocks, excellent schools, and easy access to both Central and Riverside Parks. A quintessential Manhattan family neighborhood.
Did you know?
The brownstones along West 73rd-74th Streets were built so quickly in the 1880s that the area was nicknamed "The Dakota Wilderness" after the then-remote Dakota apartment building.
Neighborhood Stats
Who’s your neighbor?
Housing cost
Family scores
Show 5 moreShow fewer
What families should know
Personalize
Get an agentic neighborhood analysis — including safety and cost of living — tailored to your priorities, family size, budget, and commute.
Analyze for My FamilyLiving here
The Upper West Side delivers serious park cred — Riverside Park is the crown jewel running along the Hudson, with a deep bench of playgrounds scattered throughout. Kids gravitate toward the dinosaur-themed play structure and the Hippo Playground, both perennial favorites that have been maintained for years. For families who need real green space to decompress, this is exactly the right zip code.
Schools & early education
The Upper West Side offers a deep bench of educational options, split almost evenly between public and private with one charter in the mix. Zoned public schools like P.S. 087 William Sherman and P.S. 075 Emily Dickinson anchor the neighborhood, while families also gravitate toward private institutions including Dwight School on Central Park West and Columbia Grammar & Prep on West 93rd. Success Academy Charter provides a public charter alternative. The diversity means you're navigating everything from traditional neighborhood zoned schools to specialized private academies — a real spread of philosophies and tuition levels.
Compare with nearby neighborhoods
Best schools in Upper West Side (Central)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Upper West Side (Central) a good neighborhood for families?
- Upper West Side (Central) scores 54/100 for families on Motley — near the middle of the pack citywide. The Family Fit score blends safety, schools, parks, cost of living, and community.
- Is Upper West Side (Central) safe?
- Upper West Side (Central) scores 24/100 on safety — toward the lower end citywide. We build the score from NYPD complaint data, normalized by population.
- How are the schools in Upper West Side (Central)?
- Upper West Side (Central) has 42 schools mapped inside its boundary and scores 97/100 for schools — ahead of most NYC neighborhoods.
- Is Upper West Side (Central) affordable?
- Upper West Side (Central) scores 5/100 for affordability on Motley — among the pricier parts of the city.
- Which borough is Upper West Side (Central) in?
- Upper West Side (Central) is a neighborhood in Manhattan, New York City.
Want personalized insights for your family?
Sign in to get an agentic neighborhood analysis — including safety and cost of living — tailored to your priorities, family size, budget, and commute.