Growing up, I always imagined living here. New York has everything — world-class food, photography studios, museums, incredible shopping, and it’s walkable! Beyond that, its pulse, endless energy, and passion for life is what I’ve never felt anywhere else (and I’ve been to a lot of places). What surprises people, though, is that New York also offers something far less obvious: a real sense of community.
Despite its size, New York is made up of tightly woven neighborhoods. Each of these pockets create a kind of “village within the city” feel — a small-town experience in the middle of it all.
I moved to New York long before the pandemic. My first apartment was in Chelsea, then the West Village, and eventually, when I met my now-husband, we settled on the Upper East Side.
When the pandemic began, it crystalized for me that New York would be where I laid down roots. When others left, I stayed. We welcomed our first son. I saw neighbors looking out for each other. I’ll never forget how my building encouraged older neighbors to leave grocery lists outside their door so we could handle their shopping. Pretty soon it hit me; I wanted to commit to making New York my forever home. We laid down roots and bought a home.
I often say it, probably too often, but we hit the jackpot. Within weeks of moving in, our block association closed the street to plant flower boxes. Neighbors introduced themselves — to us, to our kids, even to our dog.
I also found that the neighborhood was filled with creatives: photographers, videographers, florists, and content creators of all types. As one myself, I found endless inspiration being surrounded by other creatives; they drove me to improve myself. My sense of identity beyond my roles as a wife and mother grew.
Little did I know what was to come. In mid-July, one of our neighbors warned us that the block takes Halloween VERY seriously. We started seeing signs right after Labor Day. A townhouse across the street began adding decorations every night – beginning with a spider web, quickly progressing to witches riding brooms below its windows. Businesses replaced their summer flowers with red and orange mums. A 12-foot skeleton appeared in front of another home. Not wanting to miss out, we decorated with pumpkins and skeletons. That first Halloween, we handed out 8,000 pieces of candy — and ran out before 6:30 p.m.
It was such a blast that we kept decorating. For the holidays that year, it was two nutcrackers playing music. It’s now turned into a year-round obsession. We added a flower arch above our front door. For Valentine’s Day, we covered our stoop in conversation hearts. We don’t let a season pass without a fun new floral design. I love the smiles it brings and how many people stop to take a photo or say thank you. It’s a small gesture that makes this big city feel more connected and has led to me meeting so many neighbors and feeling closer to the community.
I’ve thought a lot about what helps neighborhoods like ours hold onto that sense of community, especially in a transient place like New York. A big part of it is the businesses — some rooted in the neighborhood for generations yet fully in the now, with founders who use digital tools to stay connected and engaged, alongside newer spots adding to the neighborhood’s charm.
Two local staples that have shaped ours are Orwasher’s and Butterfield Market. Orwasher’s has been in the same storefront since 1916. Keith Cohen, owner and CEO, estimates they’ve made over 500 million loaves of bread. With lines out the door, they could easily move to a bigger location, but they don’t. I didn’t even think I liked scones until I started going there daily. Now, if they sell out of my favorite cinnamon scone before I arrive, I feel a pang of heartbreak.
Butterfield Market is a charming grocery.My kids love stopping at their walk-up ice cream window. Sure, it’s not the healthiest habit, but our nightly walks often end there anyway.
Butterfield Market has been part of the neighborhood since 1915 and is so uniquely integrated with the neighborhood. One of the partners, and CMO of Butterfield Market, Joelle Obsatz, grew up right upstairs. Joelle now gets to watch her children grow up there too! She puts it best, “It’s more than just a neighborhood — it’s families, friendships, and local businesses all supporting one another, generation after generation.”
But it’s not just about the old favorites. Newer businesses matter just as much. When I say I’m “grabbing a drink with the neighbors,” that could mean the family next door — or it could mean Alice McCarney and Deb Dedivanovic, the proprietors of AD Hair Studio, right across the street from my home. They’ve become part of our extended family. They even keep a fridge stocked with juice boxes and candy so our kids can stop by after school. They are long-time Upper East Siders but are relatively new to the block. They’ve had a salon for more than 20 years on the Upper East Side but only moved to the block two years ago.
Speaking of grabbing a drink, it often happens at the neighborhood’s newest addition, Nightly’s! Massimo Lusardi, the Founder/Owner of In Tune Hospitality opened Nightly’s last year but he’s been a neighborhood mainstay for more than 40 years. I love talking to Massimo since he has such a unique perspective. Massimo once told me, “It’s a true NYC neighborhood that hasn’t lost its sense of community regardless of the new development it’s seen in the past decade. It’s a lovely blend of pre-war buildings and modern high rises that share a common detail: they’re in an area that feels like home.!”
One of my favorite things to do is add my favorite neighborhood spots to a guide in Apple Maps and share it with my friends. That shared guide is my go-to when I think about where I’m heading out!
That’s what makes our neighborhood so special, it’s not just the beautiful brownstones or tree-lined streets. It’s the way people show up for each other, whether that means planting flowers, swapping ingredients, or sharing a stoop. It’s a mix of old-school traditions and new connections, all woven together by people who care.
So, “Why New York?” Because it’s where I found my people.