Kips Bay NYC: Between Work and Play

Kips Bay NYC is an oasis of quiet along the East River. Kips Bay runs from E 14th Street to E 38th Street and from the East River to Lexington Avenue and 1st Avenue. This highly residential neighborhood affords residents cool breezes during sultry evenings and pedestrian and bike-friendly environs.

Kips Bay is Close to Everything

Residents love the proximity of Kips Bay to other enticing neighborhoods. Gramercy Park, Murray Hill, the Flatiron District, Alphabet City, the East Village, Midtown and Midtown East all border the neighborhood. Residents recommendations include “Walk to Gramercy Park and Union Square, stroll down Fifth Avenue for some shopping or enjoy the bars and jazz clubs of Greenwich village…Everything is so close and you will save a lot of money in taxis and transportation.” When you live in Kips Bay you are a short walk from famous New York Landmarks such as:

• The Chrysler Building- This art-deco building was once the tallest skyscraper in NYC. In less than a year it was quickly superseded by the Empire State building in 1931. It is a remarkable building and stands out as part of the NYC skyline.
• Gramercy Park- One of 2 private parks in the city. Only residents around the park who pay an annual fee possess a key.
• The United Nations- You will see vehicles for ambassadors as you walk throughout the city. Here is where they go to work and make decisions impacting international affairs.
• Rockefeller Plaza- The home to a huge ice-skating rink and the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
• St. Patrick’s Cathedral- Opened to the public in 1858, this landmark is a Roman Catholic Church with Neo-Gothic style architecture. It encompasses an entire city block from 50th and 51st streets to Madison and Fifth Avenue. Walk inside to appreciate the stunning stained-glass windows.
• Saks Fifth Avenue- For the ultimate high-end boutiques and specialty stores bring your charge card and splurge.
• Times Square- Where the heart of NYC resides. Feel the energy but slow down for the tourists. It has become more pedestrian friendly to make way for visitors to sit down and enjoy a quick bite and laugh with friends.

For frequent travelers or for those impromptu drives and holidays, the Kips Bay area hugs FDR Drive and includes the entrance to the Queens Midtown Tunnel. This means for those lucky drivers or Uber users, JFK, a major international airport, is only 25 minutes away. LaGuardia airport is only 20 minutes by car. Take advantage of all New York state offers. Enjoy a drive or a long weekend at some of the famous beaches on Long Island. During the summer, take the Jitney or LIRR for the laid-back no-car allowed vibes of Fire Island. Or for more upscale shops and beaches as mentioned in Conde Naste and compared internationally, drive out to the Hamptons with their million-dollar homes. Kips Bay allows you to enjoy a Broadway show or Madison Square concert in minutes one weekend and explore Mother Nature the next.

What Is It Like Inside Kips Bay?

The following information regarding the demographics of Kips Bay is based on the 2015 census. The population of Kips Bay stands at 39,743 with the median household income at $93,538, approximately 23K more than that of New York ($70,074). The median age of residents is 34 years with 52.1 percent of people married, 20.2 percent married with kids, 10.5 percent single parents, and 17.2 percent single. In fact, as compared to the New York Metro area, the percent of those married is 3% higher. If you are a couple looking to socialize with other couples in the neighborhood, considering having children or already do, you will be in good company in Kips Bay. Kips Bay has the feeling of a real community. This is great for newcomers to Manhattan where being in the midst of so many strangers can sometimes feel isolating. The area is viewed as unpretentious and friendly. Kips Bay at first didn’t have much of an identity and is seen by realtors as a “sleeper.” Though prices for real estate have risen, Kips Bay is still lower than other areas in Manhattan. This has been an asset for residents who tend to stay and settle in.

Kips Bay is home to a number of hospitals and a well-known college. Along this, the Bellevue Hospital Center and the Veterans Administration Hospital, and the Mount Sinai-N.Y.U. Medical Center can be found. The extensive Baruch College Academic Complex, the largest urban public university in the United States and one of ten CUNY (The City University of New York) colleges, is between 24th and 25th streets. Are you a foodie? To tickle the tastebuds, visit Little India, also known as Curry Hill. This pocket of Indian restaurants found from Lexington and intersecting streets in the 20s, offers different types of Indian cuisine from various parts of India. Chote Nawab on 112 Lexington Avenue, has fairly priced lunch specials with consistently good reviews. Customers can’t go wrong with the Chicken tikka and garlic Naan. Go a little further afield, 3 blocks west of Lexington Avenue, and visit Korea Town for some exotic grocery shopping. Han Ah Reum Supermarket, on 25 W 32nd Street, fits the bill when you want to stock up. These streets are full of ethnic restaurants, karaoke clubs, and bars. NYC is all about diversity. Kips Bay is not the East Village or Tribeca and that is a good thing. Move in and create roots with a community that is as down-to-earth as you are. Enjoy being close to it all but able to step aside and catch your breath while making the most of your NYC home.