Moving to the Upper East Side: a practical guide
Housing and what it costs
This is apartment living, in some of the most expensive housing on ShulMap. Almost the whole Orthodox community lives in doorman buildings, co-ops and walk-ups, and co-op boards are a real part of buying here — expect a board package and an interview. Renting first is common. Blocks east of Lexington, toward York Avenue, generally cost less than those near the park. Figures change fast — use the apartment search above for live listings.
Picking a block
The shuls are spread out north to south, so pick the one you want to walk to first. Fifth Avenue Synagogue and the Edmond J. Safra Synagogue are in the low East 60s near the park; Park East Synagogue is on East 67th and The Altneu on East 70th; Kehilath Jeshurun is on East 85th; Congregation Orach Chaim is on Lexington in the 90s. Chabad of the Upper East Side, the Manhattan Sephardic Congregation and the Yorkville Synagogue are further east, in the 70s near First and York Avenues.
Kosher and daily life
Kosher restaurants and shops are scattered across the neighborhood rather than lined up on one street, and the West Side’s kosher strip is a crosstown bus away. Daily life works on foot and by subway — the Q train on Second Avenue and the 4, 5 and 6 on Lexington — and most families do not own a car. There are two mikvaos, at Chabad of the Upper East Side and at Fifth Avenue Synagogue.
Schools
Ramaz, the co-ed Modern Orthodox school, has its lower school on East 85th Street and its upper school on East 78th. The Rabbi Arthur Schneier Park East Day School on East 68th runs through eighth grade, and the Manhattan High School for Girls is on East 70th. Confirm current admissions and tuition directly with each school.
Who it fits
Established families and professionals who want Modern Orthodox community life inside Manhattan, a large institutional shul and a day school within walking distance. It suits people choosing the city on purpose; families who need a house and a yard usually look at Riverdale, the Five Towns or Bergen County instead.