Real Estate
Is Manhattan the seniors’ paradise?
BY MARTHA WILKIE
Some say Manhattan is only for the
young or rich, but it’s also good
for older people — as long as they
have the means to live here.
An Upper East Sider who just turned
80 said she values the convenience.
“As an ‘elderly’ person there is no better
place to live,” she said. “Almost everything
I need is within a four-block radius:
grocery store, pharmacy, cleaners,
hardware store, bookstore — you name
it. And if I can’t get out, they deliver.”
And she loves her neighborhood.
“The people, children and dogs are
all familiar and make me feel connected
and secure,” she said. “And, of course,
there is the wonderful culture: movies,
theater, music, dance, libraries, museums
— and good public transportation.
And for a glorious walk in the country,
there is always Central Park!”
Agent Ina Torton manages a special
team, Next Move, dedicated to helping
seniors leaving their longtime homes
and fi nding new places to live, ones
well-suited to aging in place. Factors to
consider include wheelchair-accessible
entrances and A.D.A.-compliant bathrooms.
“Seniors move for different reasons,
such as downsizing or to be near their
children,” Torton explained. “Some
want to escape the suburbs and be in the
middle of the action. I’m a senior and
I wouldn’t live anywhere else. There’s
nothing like it!”
Buildings or neighborhoods can become
NORCs (Naturally Occurring
Retirement Communities) and get free
services from the city.
“Department for the Aging funds
supportive-services programs at dozens
of NORCs in the city, where residents
can access health and social services
where they live,” Torton noted. “Services
include health and wellness activities,
fi tness classes,
case-management assistance, help with
benefi ts and entitlements, educational
activities, outings and volunteer opportunities.”
Searching for suitable apartments is
diffi cult, although The New York Times
does have a “wheelchair accessible”
fi lter and the city maintains a list of
NORCs online.
In Morningside Heights, a spacious
studio in a NORC on La Salle St. has
a nice eat-in kitchen nook and is well
priced. $349,000.
(Brownstoner.com/listing/CORCORAN
5662616/100-la-salle-st-apt-21-
e-morningside-heights-ny-10027/)
A two-bedroom, two-bath East Harlem
rental has a doorman, elevator,
no steps to enter and a stall shower.
$3,995.
This Uptown NORC also sports
a spacious eat-in kitchen
nook.
Movin’ on up to an
East Harlem rental with no steps
up.
(Brownstoner.com/listing/CITIHABITATS
7018149/181-e-119th-stapt
8d-east-harlem-ny-10035/)
On the Upper East Side, a one-bedroom,
one-bath condo offers a gorgeous
terrace, doorman and concierge.
$798,000.
(Onemanhattanre.com/upper-eastside/
condo-for-sale/400-e-90th-st-6-
f/350332)
In Chelsea, a one-bedroom, one-bath
has a stall shower, doorman, elevator
washer/dryer, valet service and a loungelike
lobby where one can hang out and
chat with neighbors. $1.5 million.
(Brownstoner.com/listing/ELLIMAN
3785155/101-w-24th-st-apt-7bchelsea
ny-10001/)
A gorgeous terrace comes with this Upper East Side one-bedroom.
30 Month xx, 2019 CNW Schneps Media