Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I have the opportunity to take a fully renovated, good-size, and relatively affordable apartment on the corner of W. 133rd and Broadway. I am a blind female, however, I have lived in a variety of environments, including some of the roughest neighborhoods, so I have a sufficient amount of confidence and street smarts. Furthermore, I am well-acquainted with NYC and all her ways, but I’ve never had occasion to go to this particular neighborhood before now. I would appreciate anyone’s perspective and whatever input you can provide. Understand, I am not asking you to tell me whether you think I will feel/be safe living there; I am asking for your personal but informed opinions about the neighborhood and the immediate surrounding area.
Also I am interested in knowing how you expect Columbia’s acquisition of several blocks just below W. 132nd will impact the neighborhood in the future.
Trolls, fear-mongers, and prejudiced snobs need not reply, but any sincere feedback--both positive and negative--is most welcome and greatly appreciated.
There were a few threads about that exact neighborhood a year or so ago by a woman who moved there and deeply regretted it because of quality of life issues.I don't think it was safety that was the big complaint.It was rats, noise,filth,etc.The members name was harlemnewbie.
There were a few threads about that exact neighborhood a year or so ago by a woman who moved there and deeply regretted it because of quality of life issues.I don't think it was safety that was the big complaint.It was rats, noise,filth,etc.The members name was harlemnewbie.
Rats, and right across the street from Manhattanville Houses. When I used to go out in the field for work I used to hit up 95 Old Broadway sometimes (HPD). Know the area very well.
Side note - I had an old flame from Manhattanville too so I know how the area is on a Tuesday morning or a Saturday night.
__________________
"The man who sleeps on the floor, can never fall out of bed." -Martin Lawrence
"I am not asking you to tell me whether you think I will feel/be safe living there;"
It occurred to me that the above statement may be a little confusing. I know that people get frustrated with the "Is this area safe?" posts because everyone's concept of safety is different. I was, therefor, trying to explain that I am not expecting you to decide and inform me as to how safe I should feel living there. That is something I must ultimately determine for myself. Still, I would like to know your own thoughts on the area, based on what you know about it and what I have told you about me. Hope that helps clearify what I am asking of you.
Ah ha! That's a blind person's secret!--but I'll tell. The computer has a type of software program downloaded on it called a screenreader or screen access program. It runs simultaneously yet invisibly with all other applications, and you use keyboard strokes to command it to read whatever portion of the screen you want with synthetic speech output.
I live about 10 or so blocks north of there right now, between Broadway and Riverside. I can't comment on your exact block, but I like mine just fine. I've never had any problem with crime or anything. Sure there's a drug presence in the neighborhood, but I get the impression if you leave them alone they'll leave you alone sort of. I had one guy offer to sell me weed on the street around 4 in the morning about a year ago and that's been the biggest "crime" I've witnessed.
I'm not real knowledgeable about the subject, and I know it's a big source of controversy, but I would assume Columbia moving in would be a boost for the neighborhood. Consider the area 20 or 30 blocks to the south where Columbia has its biggest presence, then compare it our neck of the woods.
All in all I like the area. Not a lot to do, but a pretty good bang for your buck (I have a full one bedroom with elevator and laundry for under $1200) and you're a few blocks from the 1 train.
Rats! Where's that EEK! emoticon? Well, I'm too tired to look for it now. Thanks for your response, SeventhFloor. I've encountered some big ones myself before, and in certain contexts, you unfortunately come to accept the groosesome reality that they are part of the lanscape. Still, I don't want to find out after a lease is signed and my money is gone that, after having to meet them as fellow pedestrians on the streets, I may come home, only to discover that they are co-neighbors in the building and fellow roomates in the apt.
Alright. I'm not looking at this thread anymore tonight. [What was it my boss told me I'm supposed to do tomorrow?] O well. Good-night, and I mean it.
Columbia University is going to raze all industrial/commercial structures west of Broadway between W 125th and W 133rd for a satellite campus. The few tenements in that area will be preserved, likely gut renovation finally turned to dorms. If you are just outside that zone it will be great after all is done. If not you will be relocated. I hope we are talking a north corner of W 133rd. Quality of life isn't the greatest in that area now, nor will it be during construction; but it will be great when all is said and done.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
