NYC DUers - indulge my fantasy, please!

[Bunny]

I've never even been to NYC, but if I ever win the lottery, I want to move there and buy a dee-luxe apartment in the sky. To that end, I buy lottery tickets, and I also look at realtors.com for places to live in Manhatten.

I think I've got it narrowed down to Upper East Side, Upper West Side, or Midtown. Maybe Tribeca, but I don't really want to live in a loft. Any other areas to consider? I've got two school-aged kids, so I want to be close to good schools. I want to be close to everything, I guess. Theater, restaurants, shopping, etc.

I imagine I'll need about 2 million bucks to get anything decent (remember, I'm winning the lottery so money is really no object).

So, what is the deal with trying to get into certain buildings? Like, do you have to be voted into anyplace that's decent, before you can buy it? Is that what a co-op is? Are most of the classy places that exclusive, or just a few of them?

What about doormen? Is a full-time doorman a necessity, and what exactly do they do? Just how important is having a nice view?

If you live in NYC, tell me more! Which area? Would you still live there if money were no object? Would you take cabs, or ride the subway? I want to know everything ;)

[soleft]

1. Grammercy Park or the Village are great for kids

My son has grown up in the Village, his grade school middle school and high school - all awesome! And they'll meet a better mix of people than either uppers - and forget about midtown. no one lives in midtown.

[Bunny]

2. Are the uppers too snobby?

I didn't realize no one lives in Midtown! I thought it was desirable. Thanks for the help!

[nostamj]

4. mid-town west is not bad

was called Hell's Kitchen when I lived there, now they prefer "Clinton"...

i loved living on the upper west side. but, lacking the $$$ for delux accommodations in the city, it is easier to live in Brooklyn and have Manhattan as a playground. park slope, brooklyn heights, cobble hill, carroll gardens, all nice neighborhoods.

of course, the only thing harder than winning the lottery is finding the 'perfect' NYC apartment.......

[Beetwasher]

5. Well, I'm an Upper E. Sider and I ain't snobby!

n/t

[soleft]

7. I may be moving to the upper east side this summer, so that's good to know

I can get over my preconceived ideas.

[thebigidea]

3. I wish I had the luxury of even turning down a loft!

yet another thing to miss about kaaaaleeefornia: cheap converted commercial/industrial space.

[BigDaddyLove]

6. As much as Manhattan is an amazing place.........

I don't think that even winning the lottery would prompt me to actually live there.

I'd much rather take the money needed to buy a nice apartment and buy a whole city block somewhere else that's cleaner and friendlier...and then visit now and again.