Is Murray Hill the Next Hot Neighborhood?!
Murray Hill is a Manhattan neighborhood gem hiding in plain sight. I love it for its location + value—it is really easy to get anywhere in Manhattan because of its proximity to Grand Central—the 4/5/6 and 7 trains can transport you uptown, downtown and crosstown in a flash! Grand Central also houses MetroNorth trains in case you need a country get away to Connecticut or Upstate. My favorite transportation in the beloved Second Avenue bus that can get you downtown quickly while you stay above ground. And on beautiful summer days, hop onto the East River ferry to get to Brooklyn in style.
Where is it?
The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission has described Murray Hill's boundaries as “roughly 34th Street on the south, 40th Street on the north, Fifth Avenue on the west, and Third Avenue on the east.”
Photo courtesy of Google Maps
History
Murray Hill is named for an 18th century merchant Robert Murray who had moved to New York City from Philadelphia in 1753. He built a farm in the 1760s that occupied a great swath of what is known as Murray Hill today. His family took title after his death in the early 1800s and by the time the railroad was cut in 1833, Murray Hill became a destination for well heeled New York society. The neighborhood continued to develop in the mid 1800s and wealthy New Yorkers moved into Murray Hill brownstones. In the 1920s and 30s, many apartment buildings were constructed—these prewar and Art Deco cooperatives are still there today!
Park Avenue looking north toward East 38th Street 1895 Murray Hill NYC
Photo courtesy of oldnycphotos.com
Present Day
Murray Hill is a real New York nabe, chock full of Mom + Pop shops and local businesses. I appreciate that it is one of the few neighborhoods that has several classic diners—they are disappearing all over the country but you’d never know it here! Every amenity you can think of is a block or two away—grocers, dry cleaners, pet shops, hardware stores, gyms, cafes, and restaurants.
Photo courtesy of oldnycphotos.com
Housing Value
Murray Hill has many housing options that tend to more affordable than downtown or the west side. If you are considering a move that gives you a lot of bang for your buck AND is a flourishing neighborhood consider Murray Hill.
Want to make Murray Hill your next home?
View my listing at 303 E 37th St, Unit 3J .
Written by. Sumi Vatsa | (E) sumi@compass.com , (M) 646.284.0907
