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Early 1990s on the Upper West Side: Transient hotel, the Apology Line, and a general cacophony

Early 1990s on the Upper West Side: Transient hotel, the Apology Line, and a general cacophony

1990s Early, FEATURED, Upper West Side

The walls were as thin as the saltines on which I spread Potted Meat Food Product for dinner. I was privy to every sound of one neighbor’s bed squeaking and creaking in response to his nocturnal movements. His incoherent mumblings almost made sense to me some nights. Another neighbor was an opera singer. He was a horrible opera singer.

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Eras | Neighborhoods

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Add your favorite NYC books

Lived in NYC, Now I Just Read About It...
Lived in NYC, Now I Just Read About It 1 member
If you ever lived in New York City, reading about the city in books has SO much more resonance. S...

NYC books we've read

Rules of Civility
Astonish Me
The Bonfire of the Vanities
Triburbia
A Visit from the Goon Squad
Three Junes
The Interestings
The Age of Innocence
The Goldfinch
The Glass Castle
Netherland
Falling Man


View this group on Goodreads »

Featured stories

  • Early 1970s in Soho: Memories (and smells) of Mercer Street

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  • 2014 in Manhattan: How is NYC worse today for newcomers (or oldtimers)?

  • Late 1960s in The Village: Escape from Queens, zeppole feasts, and rent control laws

  • 1960s on Macdougal Street: Cafe Wha?, Bob Dylan, Woody Allen, and Bruce Springsteen

Recent comments

  • 1stAptNYC on Calling all nostalgists: Join the #SaveNYC movement
  • Laura E Kelly on Early 1970s on the Upper East Side: Cheap rent, back-stabbing roomies, and guilty memories
  • Mike P. on Late 1980s in The Village: Armless mannequins, double futons, and strange old men
  • Passer_Solomon on 1980s in Astoria: Lookalike burglars, tough mice, and a generous Greek guy
  • Ron on Late 1970s Madonna: The smell of NYC, rape on a rooftop, and inspired by Frida Kahlo

Eras | Neighborhoods

1960s Early 1960s Late 1960s Mid 1970s Early 1970s Late 1970s Mid 1980s Early 1980s Late 1980s Mid 1990s Early 2000s Late 2010s Mid Astoria Celebrity Neighbor Chelsea Debbie Harry Downtown East Village ERA FEATURED Financial District Madonna NEIGHBORHOOD NYC REAL ESTATE Soho STORY The Village Tribeca Union Square Upper East Side Upper West Side Yorkville

Ah, memories

NYU • Saint Anthony's Feast • dubious privacy • mice • young man • stolen car • giant African bullfrog • music club • pugs • Matt Lauer • West End Avenue • lived in a closet • The Odeon • spinach-and-cheese ravioli • non-woodburning fireplace (NWBWF) • getting back deposit • saveNYC • Cafe Wha? • eviction • Astoria • John Guare • politicians • ladies of the night • "Manhattan" the movie • 2014 • Maxwell’s Plum • Yorkville • great view • gun • futon • As told to • garbage out window • lonely • celebrities • Bill de Blasio • pigeons • burglar • young woman • fire • Elaine’s • tiny • sleeping loft • roaches • opera-singing neighbor • pink bathroom • walkup • small claims court • Mafia • police • 1 BR

About

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Laura E. Kelly is the storyteller-in-chief of this site. Read about the genesis of the site and visit Contact to send in your story or ask a question.

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