Washington Heights (175th and Fort Washington Avenue) - What's it Like? (New York: violent crime, home)
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Considering moving to Washington Heights, and would like to know more about the area. I work in the Village, and sometimes don't get home until 1 - 2 am...is it a safe area for a white male to walk around?
I just moved to 172 between broadway and fort washington august 1. The further west from Broadway you are the better. I've been out late pretty regularly and have never had a problem though. When I get off the train i head down broadway, but as you get closer to 175 it does become a bit more dreary I guess. Broadway is a major street and there are always loiterers out at night so if you wanna take extra precaution you can head straight for fort washington as soon as you get off the train and head up. Honestly though, you are in the good part of Washington Heights imo and you should be fine. I see white people walking home late all the time, even females. Seems the neighborhood is changing.
It's not "totally safe", but it's not horrible. I would probably avoid wandering into Wright Park after dark, though. The nice area of Washington Heights is north of 181st St west of Broadway, but in general anywhere west of Broadway is better than anywhere east of Broadway in Washington Heights.
are there any parts of the Heights that would be considered dangerous anymore??
Anywhere east of Broadway. I mean, not "you're going to get shot if you go there" dangerous, nowhere in the city is like that any more, not even East New York (though it's close). But there's still a significant amount of drug violence in parts of Washington Heights, generally more the further east you go.
I live east of Broadway on 181. The neighborhood is great! The more west of b'way you are the better! 187th street and Ft. Wash is a great area. You should be careful whereever you are at 2am! Even in the village. There are bunch of new restaurants and coffee shops up here now. And past few years I've met more and more "white" people who moved up here from
other parts of Manhattan for more space, nice parks and clean streets!
I would say, anywhere above 175th street you would be safe, GENERALLY SPEAKING. Washington Heights is a unique neighborhood. One block could be totally quiet at night, and over on the next block, you will find some unwanted activity. Such as people hanging out outside their building and playing their music loud. Il give u an example......180th Street between pine hurst and Ft Washington, it's fairly quiet at night. But that little street along 180th Street between Ft Washington and Broadway UL often find a few unwanted ppl hanging out outside their buildings with their loud music, and drinking liquor. One area of Washington Heights I wouldn't wana live. But generally speaking, Washington Heights is pretty safe now.
Washington Heights has come a long way from what it was in the early 90's. I read something that from 1988-1992, over 600 people were murdered north of W 155th, including a precinct high of 123 homicides in 1991. Nowadays, both the 33rd and 34th precinct get maybe 5-8 homicides a year, a world of difference.
West 163rd street between Amsterdam and Broadway was an absolute free for all. That block has a very infamous past.
Washington Heights circa 2012, still is not completely safe. There are still drug dealers, the occasional violent crime, and a lot of quality of life issues, like drinking on the streets, loud music, cat calling, loitering etc etc but these are magnified on the blocks east of Broadway.
That block (175th and Ft Washington) is decent. Not the best block, but not near the worst.
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