By West Side Rag
In October, we asked newsletter subscribers why they read West Side Rag. We received nearly 400 responses, from people who have lived and worked on the Upper West Side for 50-plus years, newcomers learning the area, or folks that have moved away and like keeping tabs on their old neighborhood.
Readers told us they value the Rag for its hyperlocal news, especially at a time when communities across the country are losing local news outlets. They turn to us for openings and closings, transportation updates, civic affairs, and answers to what’s happening right on their block. They also appreciate the colorful essays, humor, and art from our talented roster of columnists whose work helps capture the unique character of the Upper West Side. Just as importantly, readers shared they value the role the Rag plays in connecting neighbors, celebrating local organizations, and strengthening the sense of community that makes the Upper West Side special.
As we continue our end-of-year donation campaign, we hope you’ll consider making a tax-deductible contribution so we can keep delivering local stories and a sense of community for years to come.
Here’s what some of our readers had to say on why they read the Rag:
I love the hyperlocal news about things happening right in my neighborhood. I’ve learned so much through the articles, and it’s really helped me feel like I’m part of the community since moving here in 2023. — Michelle
Because I consider the UWS like my backyard. It was the first neighborhood I fell in love with when I moved to NYC 40 years ago. — Lisa
I love the West Side Rag! It is so relevant to my life as an UWSer. I can’t tell you the number of times I have wondered something about my neighborhood and looked it up, only to find that the Rag had done a thorough and informative piece on that exact topic. I greatly appreciate all of the Rag’s content – the investigative-style pieces, the humor, art, and advice segments, the weekend event overviews, and the openings and closings beat. I am very appreciative of your work! I feel that I am better able to be an informed and engaged community member because of the West Side Rag. I think it’s one of if not the best local news source I’ve encountered. — Julia
Have lived on the UWS through 2 marriages, 3 dogs and 4 jobs. How could I not be in love with it? — Bruce
For news about or affecting the neighborhood; from crime reports to human-interest stories to openings & closings to interviews with candidates, I read it all! The Rag does a great job of making the UWS feel more like a community or even a small town within the city. The writing and reporting is high quality (far better than any small-town paper I’ve come across), and the content covers matters of local and personal interest. — Meredith
It seems that every day there are valuable “nuggets” of information. We have a friend who just bought on the UWS and we told her the first order of business is to subscribe to The Rag! — Anne
Love the WSR! My favorite email in my inbox every morning. — Ava
Don’t ever go out of business. Your passion for news that matters only to us on the UWS is important and palpable. Keep it going. — Tom
I love your voice, it’s incredibly fortunate to have such good writers looking into my neighborhood. — Audrey
Once a Native New Yorker, always a Native New Yorker. Also I meet many weekenders and day trippers here who live on the Upper West Side. They are surprised I know more about their neighborhood than they do. — Anonymous
I read it because I live on the Upper East Side and I find my own neighborhood very boring and snobby. I love to spend as much time as possible going to lunch and dinner on the west side and also movie theaters, Lincoln Center, and shopping. — Irene
I especially love the ‘feel good’ articles like the recent ones of cocktail bars on the UWS and the owls spotted atop buildings. Those are fun facts to know and I would never hear about them if it weren’t for WSR. — Sharon
Because I am a part of this community and the Rag helps bring us together. — Caroline
You can support the Rag with a tax-deductible donation by clicking here.
Thank you West Side Rag – just donated