I enjoyed this thread so I thought I would revive it (sorry to ruin bundaberg's thread killer stats).
I just saw this listing for a town house very close to where I live, but at a very, very different price point than my home. I walked by it both days this weekend - nothing too unique about it from the outside, but pretty incredible on the inside, particularly the pool. It faces out on Central Park, a few blocks up from the Museum of Natural History.
https://www.corcoran.com/homes-for-s...250/regionId=1
Beautiful home but (there's always a but) - in the picture of the kitchen, it appears to be only a 2 burner cook top. (Floor plans shows as 4 - hope that is right.) And the dining room is a floor above the kitchen but, I guess, the hired help have to worry about that. Family meals can be done in the kitchen.
Our pediatrician used to be in 241 CPW - they moved a block north to 86 and CPW when my son was still very young, around 2012. They had the ground floor - you actually had to go down a few steps which was a pain with a stroller. Which reminds me of something interesting about the townhouse - I clearly recall sitting in the pediatrician's office and feeling the subway going underneath (B/C trains). I assume that when they spent the money doing the renovation, something was done to insulate the townhouse from that, as the basement pool is likely not too far away from the subway track.
Good point about the two burners - I see that too. The kitchen is extremely nice but I do not like it as much as the rest of the house. And it is interesting that the dining room is upstairs - one would think they would put in a dumb waiter or something similar.
That's nice, but if I'm going to be coaxed from my homestead in Wake County, I'm really going to need a single family home. I have a thing against shared walls. I'm also a fan of ranch houses. Anything in that neighborhood that might fit the bill? I know I can't get over an acre like I have now, but maybe half an acre? Anything like that in NYC?
From that townhouse you can see the Met across the park in the winter when the trees are bare, you are a few hundred yards from the Museum of Natural History, a 10 minute subway ride to MSG and Broadway (I live nearby and I'm going to the game tomorrow night - I could theoretically walk if I was feeling ambitious), 20 minutes to Yankee Stadium, a block or two from some of the best pizza slices and bagels in the world, and a short walk from Zabar's and Barney Greengrass, among other food options. And there is a huge park across the street to meet all of your outdoor needs.
Different strokes for different folks - that's what makes life interesting and the world a fun place - there are different places to meet different people's needs. No need to be a hater.
I'm not a hater, I was just wondering if there are any single family homes in NYC. Other than the mayor's house of course. One of my property voyeurism indulgences is to see how close I can get to my home in other cities.
I'm a 15-20 minute drive from downtown Raleigh. Theoretically, from my house if you walk 20 minutes you can get to another 20 minute walk after which you'll be final 20 minute walk to get someplace. My house gets a 0 walkability score, a 0 mass transit score and a 13 for bikability. They are building a new Costco that will be an hour walk from my house, so that's very exciting. It will be the closest shopping to my house!
As far as I know, there are few if any non-attached residential houses in Manhattan - there are some that are historical sites, museums or schools, but I think that is about it, other than Gracie Mansion, which you mentioned.
In the other boroughs there are plenty. Queens has some great neighborhoods (such as Forest Hills, home to some DBR posters), in the Bronx Riverdale has beautiful homes, Brooklyn is famous for its brownstones (townhouses) but also has sections with nice single-family houses, and a large portion of Staten Island is single-family houses. Most of these areas are on our near public transit.
Note that I grew up in suburbia (NJ) and had an incredible childhood there and frequently consider moving back, but for now, we are very happy in Manhattan and have established roots here.