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Mid 1980s on the Upper East Side: Dumping ground, dissed at Elaine’s, and an eviction

Mid 1980s on the Upper East Side: Dumping ground, dissed at Elaine’s, and an eviction

1980s Mid, STORY, Upper East Side, Yorkville

The young couple who sublet me the tiny, dark apartment cautioned me, “Don’t draw attention to yourself. The landlord can’t know that we left!” The wife even left her furniture in the place, and so I discreetly moved in my own stuff in small bags and suitcases, making many trips. And then…

Early 1980s in Yorkville: East River floaters, apathetic cops, and sachertorte

Early 1980s in Yorkville: East River floaters, apathetic cops, and sachertorte

1980s Early, STORY, Yorkville

We went away one weekend. I don’t remember where we went but I do remember we left the windows open so our apartment wouldn’t be too stifling when we got back. And I’ll never forget the sight we saw when we returned…

Late 1980s in The Village: Pungent vestibule puddles, roach garnishes, and letting go of things

Late 1980s in The Village: Pungent vestibule puddles, roach garnishes, and letting go of things

1980s Late, STORY, The Village

The mice, oh, those mice. They were true New Yorkers with a dry sense of humor, showing up at the most inopportune times. I lost more girlfriends that way.

Late 1970s Madonna: The smell of NYC, rape on a rooftop, and inspired by Frida Kahlo

Late 1970s Madonna: The smell of NYC, rape on a rooftop, and inspired by Frida Kahlo

1970s Late, 1980s Early, East Village, Madonna, The Village

Madonna’s story: “The tall buildings and the massive scale of New York took my breath away. I felt alive. But I was also freaked out by the smell of piss and vomit everywhere, especially in the entryway of my third-floor walk-up.”

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

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

1960s Late, STORY, The Village

My first apartment was so small I had to step outside to change my mind. The year was 1968. The apartment was on Sullivan Street, just above Little Italy, with a live poultry market around the corner.

New-York-Map-with-pins

Eras | Neighborhoods

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Lived in NYC, Now I Just Read About It...
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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


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Featured stories

  • Late 1970s on the Upper East Side: Laundry room plumbing, toaster fire, and only a “small gun”

  • Mid 1960s on the Upper West Side: Nice Catholic girls, lava lamps, and small claims court

  • Early 1980s on Union Square: Blackened planks and broken bags of soup

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

  • 1970s late & 1980s in The Village: Grad school, elevator men, and famous playwrights

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

police • Yorkville • Maxwell’s Plum • smells • loft • futon • young couple • lava lamp • saveNYC • mice • Bill de Blasio • lonely • upper east side • heat • gun • noisy • Elaine’s • 2014 • uptown • sausage and peppers • small claims court • Steinway Street • walk-up • As told to • spinach-and-cheese ravioli • Raffetto's • Woody Allen • tiny • roaches • dark • studio • real estate • music club • ladies of the night • elevator troubles • stolen car • railroad flat • Five Guys Named Moe • Empire State Building • celebrities • eviction • young man • 1 BR • Mafia • Occupy Wall Street • too hot • co-op • pink bathroom • lots of visitors • opera-singing neighbor

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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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