Occupying the blocks where the elegance of Central Park West, the iconic residential Upper West Side and the picturesque academic environs of Morningside Heights intersect, Manhattan Valley offers elements of each–for a slightly lower price.

Home to a community of loyal residents long before real estate boom years brought waves of “next big thing” hype to seemingly every block, Manhattan Valley is one of the city’s lesser-known micro-neighborhoods. Savvy brokers steer their clients toward this pleasantly diverse neighborhood stretching from Broadway to Central Park and from 96th Street to 110th Street; though apartment prices have risen steadily with those of surrounding areas, this small Upper West Side annex of sorts remains a better value.

Elegant 19th-century townhouses on side streets and tall, classic NYC apartment towers along wide, tree-lined avenues have been lovingly maintained or restored, giving the neighborhood a feeling of having changed very little with the turbulent end of the 20th century. One exception: The late 1990s saw major retail growth along Columbus Avenue, where popular destination stores like Whole Foods, Urban Outfitters and Brooklyn Industries now join familiar chains like Sephora and TJ Maxx.

The neighborhood’s first 21st century residential addition was the condo conversion of the landmarked former New York Cancer Hospital at 455 Central Park West, where a 28-story tower featuring a pool and parking was added. The sleek, modern towers and glass curtain walls of Ariel East and West brought more new residents, as did Columbus Square, a five-building rental complex.

Manhattan Valley is bounded by Riverside Park on the west and Central Park on the east. The Peter Norton Symphony Space is an important cultural venue, and Lincoln Center is a short distance to the south. A year-round farmers market at 97th Street and Amsterdam Avenue is another neighborhood favorite.

Great Manhattan Valley apartment buildings: 455 Central Park West, 467 Central Park West, 545 West 110th Street, Ariel East (2628 Broadway) and West (2633 Broadway), Straus Park Condominium at 2770 Broadway.