Previous residential buildings at 40 East End Avenue via Christopher Bride/PropertyShark

The luxurious yet comfortable Upper East Side has long been the most sought-after area for New Yorkers to call home. In the past, it may have been difficult to find vacant apartments or townhouses to buy or rent in that area, but lately, new developments have been springing up to give people more opportunities.

Each day more than 5 million commuters ride the 209 mile-long subway lines. But in a city as wide as New York, 209 miles is far from being enough. Hence the project for the new 2nd Ave subway track, that will add 8.5 miles. Even if it appears to be a drop in the water the addition will tremendously relieve the 4,5,6 lines. 

Probably the most upscale residential neighborhood in New York city, the Upper East Side is also one of the few that has been able to keep its essence throughout the years. Combining tradition with elegance and charm, it is a haven for families. As it spreads from the East River to Central Park, its residents will never run out of peaceful places to retreat from their upbeat routine.

It’s long been a rule of thumb that apartments in Uptown Manhattan, especially those around Central Park, see better asking prices than homes in Downtown Manhattan neighborhoods like Soho, Tribeca and Chelsea. But that rule seems to have been broken now—according to a new report in The Real Deal, the average asking price for a Downtown apartment in the last quarter of 2012 became $2,777 per square foot, nearly $100 more than the price per square foot for a similar unit in Uptown or Midtown Manhattan.

In the ever-evolving Manhattan real estate market, traditional open houses are becoming archaic. Some realtors have found innovative ways to subliminally advertise their listings to New Yorkers who are unaware of what the city’s busiest borough has to offer. The most popular of these marketing events are book readings by famous authors. These events provide realtors with a fresh perspective on how to market their listings.