From “The Jeffersons” to “Gossip Girl,” there are plenty of television shows based on the Upper East Side that portray the neighborhood on our screens – and that has not been lost on people who live there.

Residents there said they have been called everything from “snooty” to “fancy,” and have been described as “wealthier people” or “walking around with a silver spoon in their mouth.”

While there is some truth to rumors, perception isn’t always reality, and history, in this case, proves it.

What You Need To Know

  • Television shows have portrayed the Upper East Side for decades

  • Residents said they see where there is truth in what viewers see, but that it's much more complex than that

  • Luxury apartments line the streets closer to Central Park, but the median rent in the neighborhood is lower compared to the borough's median rent

City documents show, for example, East 71st Street between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue used to be farmland. Old maps show a once very undeveloped area around Central Park — different from what people say nowadays.

Fifth, Madison and Park avenues are lined with luxury buildings, but most residents who spoke with NY1 said it’s unfair to lump in the entire neighborhood into one category.  

“More affordable than living downtown or any trendier places,” said Judy Lederer, who said she specifically moved to between Second and Third avenues because of the cheaper rent.

Generally, the further east you go, the more affordable it can be. That’s why the median rent on the Upper East Side is actually lower when compared to the entire borough of Manhattan.

“Honestly when I’m working with lower budgets, this is one of the first places I’m coming to,” said Sammy Zein, who is a realtor on the Upper East Side.

He said real estate agents know it. And so do renters: other areas are deemed hotter.

“We try to actually leave this area and go downtown,” Andrew Shamailov said.

But for the people NY1 met who spend time here, they said they love it.

“It’s beautiful,” Luis Montes said. 

“It’s quiet,” Francine Klagsbrun said.

“It’s spacious,” Lederer said.

It's bookended by two parks, Carl Schurz Park and Central Park. It is also home to the high-profile Second Avenue subway addition.

“It’s easy to get around,” Lindower said.

It's also where tourists come from all over the world to check out a stretch of institutions dubbed "Museum Mile." And the first Sunday each November, it is known for having one of the most electric stretches of the New York City Marathon.