Harlem?

[Anonymous]

Currently in chelsea and looking to make a move - and decided to take a look at south west harlem/ morningside heights. It seems cute and the prices are SO much better than mere blocks away that is formally the 'UES'. What am I missing? Is there something truly terrible about this area I would discover when moving? Feels more reasonable than BK, plus the fact you can be in midtown in no time.

[Anonymous]

Morningside Heights and Harlem are completely different neighborhoods.

[Anonymous]

And that area is more than "mere blocks away" from UES - do you mean UWS?

That area is very block by block. There are some great areas and decent deals. But also some lousy ones. I would do a lot of walking around the block to check out the neighborhood.

Also depends a lot on your school situation. Hard to say much unless you disclose rough ages of kids and what they are doing for school.

A lot factors into these decisions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And that area is more than "mere blocks away" from UES - do you mean UWS?

That area is very block by block. There are some great areas and decent deals. But also some lousy ones. I would do a lot of walking around the block to check out the neighborhood.

Also depends a lot on your school situation. Hard to say much unless you disclose rough ages of kids and what they are doing for school.

A lot factors into these decisions.

This is accurate. When we looked at Harlem, there was a void of decent, large stores. There's now a Whole Foods on 125th which probably helps. But it's something to check. And if you have kids who would be commuting, make sure the walk to the subway is safe - including if they'd be coming home after dark.

I know some folks who live in Harlem like it's the burbs - they drive everywhere and shop in big box stores in NJ. I really don't get the appeal of living in the city if you're going to live like that, but YMMV.

[Anonymous]

op - yes sorry UWS. Kids are 10 and 12 and in private (we are likely changing their school soon anyway so can factor geography into choice). The big thing for us is that we both work in the city so burbs aren't an option and bk is so far from most schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:op - yes sorry UWS. Kids are 10 and 12 and in private (we are likely changing their school soon anyway so can factor geography into choice). The big thing for us is that we both work in the city so burbs aren't an option and bk is so far from most schools

Morningside Heights is very family-friendly. There are four k-8 schools between 110th and 114th streets, so there a ton of kids your children's ages in the neighborhood, often walking to and from school or hanging out on their own. Columbia University offers a ton of opportunities for kids, from day camp to swim lessons and a lot of other enrichment.

Harlem is huge and varies from block-to-block as mentioned above. But I think it would be a harder place to live. I definitely endorse walking around the area you are considering at different times of day. Note the convenience of grocery stores, drug stores and parks. Note the maintenance of the sidewalks and the nearby buildings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:op - yes sorry UWS. Kids are 10 and 12 and in private (we are likely changing their school soon anyway so can factor geography into choice). The big thing for us is that we both work in the city so burbs aren't an option and bk is so far from most schools

Your kids are too young to be running around on their own, but consider when they are in high school and doing late sports, meeting friends at the movies, etc. Again, there are better and worse areas of Harlem, you just need to do your due diligence. And NEVER go into Morningside Park at night. NEVER.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:op - yes sorry UWS. Kids are 10 and 12 and in private (we are likely changing their school soon anyway so can factor geography into choice). The big thing for us is that we both work in the city so burbs aren't an option and bk is so far from most schools

Your kids are too young to be running around on their own, but consider when they are in high school and doing late sports, meeting friends at the movies, etc. Again, there are better and worse areas of Harlem, you just need to do your due diligence. And NEVER go into Morningside Park at night. NEVER.

Honestly, you're best staying out of Morningside Park at any time of day or night, unless you're part of a large group, but you can live a safe and fulfilling life in Morningside Heights without ever stepping foot into Morningside Park.

[Anonymous]

I was up in Harlem the other day and I don't think I would be happy living there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:op - yes sorry UWS. Kids are 10 and 12 and in private (we are likely changing their school soon anyway so can factor geography into choice). The big thing for us is that we both work in the city so burbs aren't an option and bk is so far from most schools

Your kids are too young to be running around on their own, but consider when they are in high school and doing late sports, meeting friends at the movies, etc. Again, there are better and worse areas of Harlem, you just need to do your due diligence. And NEVER go into Morningside Park at night. NEVER.

Honestly, you're best staying out of Morningside Park at any time of day or night, unless you're part of a large group, but you can live a safe and fulfilling life in Morningside Heights without ever stepping foot into Morningside Park.

I live across the street from the park, and I think it is perfectly fine to visit during the day. Lots of students, families, tourists, dog walkers and people trying to get to the B/C on 116th (like me today). The entire park has been renovated. The playgrounds, basketball courts and baseball fields are gorgeous. The flowers and flowering trees this time of year are stunning. I do agree that after dark is no good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was up in Harlem the other day and I don't think I would be happy living there.

Me either, but people who love it LOVE it and never shut up about how great it is.

[Anonymous]

op - ok this is why this forum is useful. I did go and explore and saw a couple places right on or by morningside park that seemed great. But now you are saying it's sketchy? Tell me more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:op - ok this is why this forum is useful. I did go and explore and saw a couple places right on or by morningside park that seemed great. But now you are saying it's sketchy? Tell me more.

Are you looking at Morningside Park from Morningside Drive or Morningside Avenue?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:op - ok this is why this forum is useful. I did go and explore and saw a couple places right on or by morningside park that seemed great. But now you are saying it's sketchy? Tell me more.

Are you looking at Morningside Park from Morningside Drive or Morningside Avenue?

i dont know? Have not got that granular

[Anonymous]

I live in Morningside with a child in preschool. It's a nice area, I'm rolling my eyes a bit at the "Morningside Park scary" comments here. We live on the Morningside Ave side (west) and it's fine. I wouldn't go in at night, but I also was not comfortable in Central Park at night when we lived in UWS proper. My kid goes into the playground at Morningside literally every single day. We're also close to Riverside and Sakura and have made a nice group of neighborhood buddies for my kid.

The zoned schools in Morningside are not great, and depending on where you live the grocery options are not great either. We do a Whole Foods order twice a week and it's fine but I miss being around the corner from TRader Joe's.

Rents are definitely more reasonable than many other parts of Manhattan.