Your Mandarin-Speaking Upper West Side Real Estate Agent
As a Mandarin-speaking real estate agent who has lived and worked on the Upper West Side for almost twenty years, this neighborhood truly feels like home.
When I first moved here, the corner of Broadway and 66th Street was home to a Barnes & Noble bookstore — the kind of place where you could lose yourself for hours. A few years later, it turned into Century 21, and now that space sits vacant, waiting for the next chapter. Just a few blocks up, the old Food Emporium on 68th became a home store and now stands empty too — showing how much the neighborhood continues to evolve.
But some of the changes have been great. The arrival of H Mart, my favorite Asian grocery store, was a huge win! Whether you’re craving tofu, kimchi, or that peach soda we all grew up with — H Mart has it all. And of course, Morton Williams is still our dependable neighborhood grocery, with a great hot food bar and fast checkouts (a real luxury in New York!).
Now that I have two young children, I’ve gotten to know every playground and kid-friendly corner in the neighborhood.
Central Park’s Adventure Playground (near 67th Street) is always a hit — with climbing towers, sprinklers, and sand play for little explorers.
If you head west, Little Engine Playground (160 Riverside Blvd) is a dream for toddlers — with a train structure to climb on, a cute sailboat, and misty sprinklers in the summer.
Matthew P. Sapolin Playground (on 70th between Amsterdam and West End) is another favorite when PS 199 isn’t in session — perfect for scooters and playdates.
And for open space, kids love riding scooters around Lincoln Center Plaza, where there’s always something happening — music, fountains, or just friendly neighbors out and about.
The Upper West Side is truly one of the most family-friendly neighborhoods in Manhattan. It stretches from 59th Street to 110th Street, bordered by Central Park to the east and the Hudson River to the west. Within it, you’ll find charming and distinct sections like Columbus Circle, Lincoln Square, Central Park West, and the elegant Riverside Drive and West End Avenue.
It’s a neighborhood that balances peaceful, tree-lined streets with easy access to everything — multiple subway lines, bus routes, and quick cab rides to anywhere in the city. Whether you’re commuting to work, heading to dinner, or exploring with your kids, getting around couldn’t be easier.
As someone who lives here, raises a family here, and helps clients find their homes here, I truly understand what makes this area special — and what families like yours are looking for in a home.
