Waterside Plaza offers the best of both worlds for Manhattan families: a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of NYC without leaving the city limits, but that's just the half of it. The apartments themselves are incredibly tempting; there are 1,400 of them in multiple styles, including really nice two- and three- bedroom layouts that are perfectly sized for families, and even a couple of two-level townhouses with private entrances. Each of the apartments I visited had seriously sizable living spaces with room for a real dining table. A girl can dream about entertaining in a space like this, although I know with my gang the room would probably see more play dates than dinner parties. What really drew me in, though, were the views; there isn't a bad one in the house! Thanks to Waterside's riverfront location and the unique architecture of the four towers, each apartment either has an unobstructed water view or the gorgeous Manhattan skyline right outside the window. I was ready to sell my co-op and move in on the spot!

As a busy NYC mom I need the convenience of a full-service building and appreciate the round-the-clock doormen, concierge, parking, shuttle services, on-site storage and the slew of luxury amenities at Waterside. In Karyn's post last month we only scratched the surface of what Waterside Plaza offers, including the two-acre outdoor space where my son and I often hit the playgrounds, the party and play space, as well as shopping and dining options. But there are several other perks our earlier post didn't cover, like the full-fledged fitness center packed with everything you need for a workout, including a gorgeous, sunlit atrium that houses an indoor pool. My son and I have been members of the pool for years, and the thought of just hopping on the elevator when we want to swim, versus trekking over on the M34A bus, is pretty enticing. Cyclists take note: Apartments come with bike storage, which comes in handy as the complex is along the bike path and adjacent to the family favorite biking destination, Stuyvesant Cove. Plus, Waterside Plaza is zoned for one of NYC's best public grammar schools and is close to many top parochial and private schools (and both UNIS and the British International School are on site!)

Got a car? Waterside has a 24-hour attended parking garage with car wash available. Don't have a car? Zipcar rentals are available onsite. Either way, hitting the road seems pretty convenient.

Final conclusion? Nice place to visit, but I sure would want to live there.

This post was sponsored by Waterside Plaza, but the opinions are those solely of the author.