Washington Heights

This neighborhood is certainly getting better each day. Tons of quality restaurants and places to shop. Rents are fair and Landlords are pleasant.

I have seen the neighborhood go from a a lower middle class family oriented, ethnically mixed neighborhood in the 60s, to a "third world" country in the 80s. Crime was cleaned up a bit thanks to Guiliani in the 90s, but you still have gangs, poor immigrants mostly from the Dominican Republic, (but lots of Mexicans moving in), noise, - cars blasting merengue music at all times. Only white college students who want to live here for a couple years are moving here for cheap rents. The don't last long. There is an attempt at gentrification, and rapacious landlords want to take it over but generally, it's not the place to raise healthy kids-- - the schools are tough. George Washington High School is tough and the only Catholic high school mother cabrinin closed. Schools are mostly immigrant population so if you're white kid, you'll feel left out ( though whites living in the Heights send their kids to schools away from the neighborhood for some strange reason). It's basically an inner city neighborhood with pockets of buildings tjat charge you an arm and a leg considering the inner city neighborhood you're in. There are of junk stores, dozens of people selling fruit on the street, food without a license, it's a disaster. The "Jewish sections" are now called "Hudson heights" in an attempt of real estate people to distance it from the inner city poverty of the rest of the Heights. (And don't buy that stupid musical either). Hipsters may think it's cool to move up here, but we WaHi smell gentrification usually resent them. Most move out soon anyway, they can't take it. They're just "blanquitos" searching for cheap manhattan apartments. The Heights has a fascinating history - -most immigrants are unaware of it; it played a huge role during the American revolution. I am writing a book on it. At one time there were more communists in the heights than anywhere else in the USA . By the urban decay of the 70s things changed with the "white flight" of the 70s and crack epidemic of the 80s affected the neighborhood. I was dying to get out - the noise, crime, cat calling, poverty, drug addiction, teenage pregnancy. Inner city life. Not healthy. But now the landlords are buying every piece of land they can to build condos. Many residents resent it. Though most of us born lament what it's become, and look forward to moving out to safer, healthier places to live, we resent gentrification. WaHi was always lower middle class, not impoverished as it is now, not for the rich!

The only people who think Washington heights is cool are real estate and yeshiva university or Columbia students from out of state who did not live the 50 years of urban decay that many of us did. It was like surviving a plane crash. It still dangerous at night- if you can sleep. Summertime is hell with people taking their radios to the sidewalks. Regeton, merengue blasting at all hours. Can't sleep for the noise. Car alarms. Gangs. Rats everywhere because there is garbage from food everywhere. Illegal fruit vendors and food vendors leave a feast for rats every night. Forget the cops- they're too busy fighting drug dealers to deal with things like noise. Dirty streets, many roach infested building especially the older ones. Bodegas with cats (I.e. Mice); Starbucks? In "Hudson Heights" and those who live by Colombia Presbyterian which took over that area through eminent domain.

181street is hell hole, overpopulated, illegal street vendors, noise...the #1 - train stop us a descent (literally) into another dangerous hell hole. Subway stop.

Despite what the real estate agents say, do what my dad always recommends: visit the area at night. Then you'll get a sense of WaHi.

This area is about to explode.

It's a pretty tempting area. Apartments are spacious and many of them recently renovated. Lots of students and artists types and moving up there (especially musicians who need room for instruments and recording equipment). I'm sure there are some dingy apartments, but it's fairly easy to land a beautiful apartment at a good price--just be sure it's not above a bar or nightclub.

The parks and history of the area are also alluring, with greenery and historic sites and venerated businesses like Coogan’s Restaurant. The Columbia University Medical Center is one of the largest medical facilities in the US, and New York-Presbyterian Hospital is another excellent hospital.

Great apartments, natural beauty, good food, and excellent medical care? Why doesn't everyone live here?

The commute. The A is your only express train and runs local on the weekend...meanwhile the 1 train and the C trains are always running local, and those are your only 3 train options. Should anything disrupt service on those trains, you're not going to make your destination on time.

Crime rates aren't encouraging, but I wouldn't consider Washington Heights unsafe. Standard safety rules apply--don't walk down the street listening to your iPod waving cash around late at night. Be safe, be cautious, but don't be ruled by fear.

Wash Heights is not as far away from the rest of NYC as it looks...20 minutes to midtown by A express train. The neighborhood is young and lively thanks to Columbia University's large health sciences campus on 168th and Broadway, and the surrounding dorms. There is the wonderful Riverside Park just 10 minutes away, and biking and jogging is ever present throughout the neighborhood. Food choices are not incredible, but Plum Pomidor, In Vino Veritas, and the famous Tasty Deli for a delicious hero at lunch will do. Coogans is a great place to test out your Hotel California rendition on Thursday karaoke nights. Plus, rent is cheaper than anywhere else in Manhattan. I would seriously recommend this neighborhood for anyone looking for a pleasant, inexpensive up-and-comer.

Washington Heights is a good place to live if you are looking to combine the excitement of Manhattan with a relaxing, airy, historically rich and modestly developed neighborhood. If you are like me and you would rather live in a pre-war building as opposed to a high-rise that you have to get whiplash in order to look at, then look no further.

The quality of surroundings in this neighborhood is still somewhat sporadic, but a new wave of development and gentrification a-la-Harlem is sweeping in. This is creating a more desirable outlook on the whole area, and many products and services that would've ignored the neighborhood 5 years ago are giving it serious consideration.

This is especially true of lower areas of this neighborhood, where new cafes, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities and living spaces are becoming available. If there manages to be a nice balance struck between local flavor and changing demands, I see Washington Heights as a good place to live for years to come.

Washington Heights is one of the northernmost sections of Manhattan. It is a hilly neighborhood that has spectacular views of the Hudson River and the Palisades. You will find lots of parks in this community. Stroll through the shady Fort Tryon Park, a 67-acre park designed by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., with its very own 3-acre Heather garden. The park is home to a very well known attraction, the Cloisters.

You will not find many hotel accommodations in Washington Heights. If you need a place to stay, try neighboring communities like Upper West Side, where you will find Hotel Belleclaire or Excelsior.

Stop by my favorite Cajun and Creole restaurant this side of New Orleans, the Baton Rouge. The seafood dishes are mouth watering and they even cater to your adventurous side – yes, they serve alligator!

For arts and entertainment, stop by the historic United Palace at 4140 Broadway offering a variety of theater events, live music, lectures and workshops.