aweeks714

I have two experiences with Harlem. One as a resident at West 125th Street and Morningside Ave and another as a professional working at Frederick Douglass and the upper West 140s.

As a Resident on 125th street:

Pros =
-close to Columbia, so great for students. I walked to class.
-Near the ABCD train. The A and D are express, get to 59th street in 10 minutes.
-Cheap rent, pretty apartment, decent size
-Close to shopping like H&M, Old Navy, other cheap clothing stores
-Near the Apollo

Cons =
-dangerous and uncomfortable for women. I got cat-called every time I stepped out of my door walking on my street
-Far walk from the nearest grocery store
-dirty
-across from the projects
-person shot in front of my building.

So even though that area is definitely improving, if you are a Columbia student, live closer to Broadway and you will be fine. It is a completely different experience living near the 1 train.

Tourists will probably enjoy walking up and down 125th street. It is good for shopping and touring.

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Ok so now on to North Harlem near 145th street and Frederick Douglass/Adam Clayton Powell

Pros =
-proximity to ABCD express trains
-the Jackie Robinson park (just be careful esp at night - transgender woman murdered there, theft, etc)
-cheap rent
-large spaces
-cheap eating

Cons =
-cat calling
-not safe at night
-nowhere to eat besides chains
-unhealthy food options
-dirty
-the city never bothers to really plow when there is snow
-big hills means hard to walk!

I would be careful walking north of 150th street. The neighborhood isn't that great to live in. If you are going to live in Harlem I wouldn't necessarily recommend this area. Live closer to Broadway at 145th or on Edgecombe is nice.

I've lived in the UWS in the West 90's for two years and I really like it. My favorite part is the ease and access to both Central Park and Riverside Park, which are both beautiful. If you are a runner and enjoy the outdoors, the reservoir in Central Park is right next to you. We have a lot of great restaurants with diverse food options. There are a lot of dog runs and the UWS is very pet friendly with many shops and stores offering water bowls outside of their store fronts for the pups.

If you live on an avenue (Broadway, Amsterdam, Columbus) it will be pretty loud. I live in between Columbus and Amsterdam and it's very quiet at night.

There isn't much nightlife here. There is a stretch of bars on Amsterdam in the West 80's that cater to Columbia students/alumni and have beer pong and things like that. There aren't any clubs or dancing places up here. However, the subway is pretty convenient with the 123 line here and then the BC accessible via Central Park West.

And lastly, the apartments are very tiny and the rent is very high. However, to live in Manhattan that is pretty standard. Restaurants can be pretty pricey as well.