As New York City’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani prepares to transition into the iconic Gracie Mansion, some residents of the Upper East Side are making it clear that his reception might not be entirely warm. Mamdani, alongside his wife, artist Rama Duwaji, plans to move from their $2,300-a-month apartment in Queens to the historic residence following his inauguration in January. The $100 million mansion is nestled within 11 acres of Carl Schurz Park in Manhattan’s Yorkville neighborhood, part of the Upper East Side—a district that largely voted against Mamdani in favor of Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo’s appeal in this affluent area was bolstered by his pro-Israel stance and strict crime policies.

Adam Beckerman, a 66-year-old resident, expressed his discontent with Mamdani’s political perspectives to The New York Times. “He is an entitled, ignorant, anti-capitalist, anti-Westernist ideologue,” Beckerman commented, further stating he has his guard up regarding the incoming mayor. Meanwhile, Carly Etzin, a 29-year-old local, noted that while overt hostility might not be apparent, the voting patterns highlighted the neighborhood’s preference for Cuomo, who secured the area by a significant margin of 24 points. The Upper East Side, known for its opulence and as the setting for “Gossip Girl,” boasts homes averaging $1.6 million, reflecting its residents’ expectations and values.

The election outcome has stirred anxiety among members of prominent local parenting groups, including Moms of the Upper East Side (MUES) and UES Mommas on Facebook. Discussions within these circles reveal a sense of unease, with families contemplating relocation and expressing concerns over safety and community harmony. Robin Reiter, a 49-year-old mother and active member of these groups, explained to the Daily Mail that the fear surrounding Mamdani’s socialist and progressive ideology isn’t mere hysteria. Reiter, who identifies as Jewish, highlighted that a New York Magazine article exacerbated tensions by depicting the concerned mothers as overly emotional in light of Mamdani’s victory.

While many residents have concerns about Mamdani moving to the neighborhood, many others are looking forward to welcoming him. Restaurateur Abdul Elenani, who has hosted Mamdani at his establishments, opened a location of Palestinian restaurant, Al Badawi, three blocks from the mansion, earlier this year. A spokesman for his restaurant group told The New York Times they hope the mayor and his wife will frequent their business. ‘Wouldn’t it be cool to, like, cater for him and bring that spice that he needs to his life,’ she said. ‘He’s a spicy man.’ The sizeable Gracie Mansion is in stark contrast with the one-bedroom apartment Mamdani and Duwaji have shared for years. Built in 1799, the historic Federal-style mansion is owned by the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, and has served as the city’s mayor’s home since 1942.

Its interior – a blend of 18th and 19th-century features with modern touches – may soon be decorated with Duwaji’s modern artwork. ‘We will miss much about our home in Astoria,’ Mamdani wrote in a detailed Instagram statement announcing his move. ‘Cooking dinner side by side in our kitchen, sharing a sleepy elevator ride with our neighbors in the evening, hearing music and laughter vibrate through the walls of the apartment.’

He said the decision to hand over their beloved apartment to another New Yorker and move into the extravagant mayor’s mansion ultimately came down to his family’s safety. But the soon-to-be NYC leader assured that he will not abandon his roots when he leaves Astoria. ‘My priority, always, is serving the people who call this city home,’ wrote Mamdani, who moved to NYC from Uganda at age seven. ‘I will be a mayor for the line cooks on Steinway, for the children swinging at Dutch Kills Playground, for the bus riders waiting for the Q101. While I may no longer live in Astoria, Astoria will always live inside me and the work I do,’ he added.