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Hello!
I am moving to the City in April and got an apartment through a friend who is already out there. It is located in Washington Heights on 159th by St. Nicholas Ave. I was just wondering if anyone can give me some info on this area. Everything looks alright so far but i just wanted some opinions from people who know more than me. How safe is it and what is the area like.
I know the area, I have a good friend that lives thier, he might move to the BRonx because they increased his rent. Its heavly Dominican with some blacks. The area is gentrifying, there is a decent restaurant in that area and also a winebar on 159 and amsterdam. The area is sorta of safe as in murders, but crime happens thier like burglary, muggings, robbing, larceny and loitering. Dominicans dominate the drug trade in NYC at the moment so be prepared to see alot of drug dealing in that area. Alot of loud music playing outside. Residents in that area blast Merengue and Bachata from thier cars and apartments. Some white transplants do live in that area I have witnessed them walk up in the tenements on 159 between st nicks and amsterdam. Just dont venture to the blocks further south and also further east towards edgecomb park.
not dangerous unless you are looking for trouble (or have the unfortunate luck to be caught in the middle of something) Keep to yourself, and dont flash your valuables, and keep to the avenues.
I spent a collective 4 yrs in WH - as a female, there was a lot of sexual harassment for me - even when walking w/ my bf. Didn't matter what I was doing, it was constant and aggressive, esp in the summer months.
But if you dont mind super loud music spanish music, loitering, idling cars, random in broad daylight low level drug dealing, roach infested apts, you'll be fine. i will say in all of my apts the water pressure was dame near Turkish spa level (which was awesome) the space was good for the money, there were just so many downsides, lack of amenities & good restaurants/supermarkets that made it an unlivable pit.
Its a bad area, but its an area that if you keep to yourself, and act like you know what your doing you'll be fine. Try not to stay out late at night =)
I know the area, I have a good friend that lives thier, he might move to the BRonx because they increased his rent. Its heavly Dominican with some blacks. The area is gentrifying, there is a decent restaurant in that area and also a winebar on 159 and amsterdam. The area is sorta of safe as in murders, but crime happens thier like burglary, muggings, robbing, larceny and loitering. Dominicans dominate the drug trade in NYC at the moment so be prepared to see alot of drug dealing in that area. Alot of loud music playing outside. Residents in that area blast Merengue and Bachata from thier cars and apartments. Some white transplants do live in that area I have witnessed them walk up in the tenements on 159 between st nicks and amsterdam. Just dont venture to the blocks further south and also further east towards edgecomb park.
The apartment is between Edgecombe Ave and St. Nicholas. I am ok with loud music and cars and things like that. All i worry about is mugging. Do you recommend a certain path to get downtown that would be the safest? Also is there a good chance of getting mugged in this location or can i avoid it by keeping to myself?
not dangerous unless you are looking for trouble (or have the unfortunate luck to be caught in the middle of something) Keep to yourself, and dont flash your valuables, and keep to the avenues.
I spent a collective 4 yrs in WH - as a female, there was a lot of sexual harassment for me - even when walking w/ my bf. Didn't matter what I was doing, it was constant and aggressive, esp in the summer months.
But if you dont mind super loud music spanish music, loitering, idling cars, random in broad daylight low level drug dealing, roach infested apts, you'll be fine. i will say in all of my apts the water pressure was dame near Turkish spa level (which was awesome) the space was good for the money, there were just so many downsides, lack of amenities & good restaurants/supermarkets that made it an unlivable pit.
Do you thinking, having lived there, i should worry about getting mugged. Thats the only thing i really worry about. And if so what should i go to avoid that? Just keep to myself? Last thing is do you suggest a safe way of getting to midtown?
The apartment is between Edgecombe Ave and St. Nicholas. I am ok with loud music and cars and things like that. All i worry about is mugging. Do you recommend a certain path to get downtown that would be the safest? Also is there a good chance of getting mugged in this location or can i avoid it by keeping to myself?
You can get mug anywhere in NYC. Take some boxing lessons or self defense lessons and you should be ok. Before signing the lease, i suggest making a trip down here and get a feel for the area for yourself. Only you can determine what is safe and what is not. You don't want to be stuck in an area that you feel unsafe or trapped. That area is sadly somewhat bad. It's mostly misguided youth who have taken the whole thug/gang thing too seriously but this is common in all "hood" areas. I live in Washington Heights on the East side, Audubon, and when my lease is up i will be relocating. Too much noise, shady characters, and thug/drug-dealing goons. It could be nice area. The West side of Washington Heights is better than the East. West of Broadway is nice from 177 to 190 in my opinion.
Do you thinking, having lived there, i should worry about getting mugged. Thats the only thing i really worry about. And if so what should i go to avoid that? Just keep to myself? Last thing is do you suggest a safe way of getting to midtown?
well I cant say IF you are going to get mugged - but there is a lot of activity there - drug activity mostly, and its usually around this activity that ppl get in trouble, just by being in the thick of it. Also a lot of younger kids rob because they are "told to" by older gang members to show loyalty - that's how it was explained to me by a few young men I was training at an Adult/Youth at Risk center I used to work at.
- I dont know anything about gangs but a lot of the young men there are certainly trying to make ppl like me think they are affiliated with a clique, and that's enough for me to stay away - This is certainly one of those times Id say - go there on a Saturday night, and take a look for yourself - I was never mugged - and used to come and go later in the evening - but I was hoping out of a cab and straight into my lobby - before I got there I was cat called - called either a *****, hey momma, asked to "come over " and also asked at the elevator if I wanted to buy weed EVERY time I came in on a weekend. Super embarrassing when my friends came by once.
Also weed smoking in building lobbies is a form of recreation in all of Washington Heights.
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