Riverside Drive @ 155th, what's it like? (Hudson, Hamilton: real estate, home, neighborhoods)

[force139]

I am considering moving to Riverside Drive at 155th St. It seems to be right on the edge of Hamilton heights and Washington Heights, two neighborhoods that seem to be consistently described as sketchy, loud, and not terribly safe. Yet I also get the sense that Riverside Drive itself is a sort of premiere address and that in this area things change block by block. So I thought I would ask for some eyewitness accounts. How does the neighborhood compare in safety, cleanliness, amenities, to parts of Manhattan below Harlem? Is Riverside Drive a wealthy enclave amid a ghetto? What is Broadway like around 155th? I had originally contemplated Park Slope or Forest Hills as my first choices, but an unusual opportunity has come up, and I'm wondering how radically different (worse?) this neighborhood would be in comparison. I realize they probably have nothing in common -- I guess I'm just interested in knowing about safety and whether I'd be confined to a small comfort zone.

It's right behind Boricua College near Trinity Cemetery.

[cotb16]

Riverside Drive is pretty good. You are right on the money for its definition, a wealthy enclave amid a ghetto. I like this area as well since it is a mix of incoming whites from downtown with Dominicans that have been here since the late 1960s-early 70s.

The best things about this area are the views of the Hudson River, the nearby greenspace in Riverside Park and Riverbank State Park, instant access to the Bronx (via the Bx6 bus), the many stores you have on Broadway (including Caporal Fried Chicken on 157th St), and one of the best subway lines (the 1).

[Viralmd]

The problem would be coming down the side streets at night. The area nearer to the hospital, uptown, is safer.

[DAS]

The area is in a strange transition right now. No one can tell how it is going to go. Many small businesses that have serviced the area have closed. No one knows if something similiar or more upscale will replace them. It will really depend on how the economy goes and what happens with the real estate prices in the uptown areas closer to the UWS.

The services in the area are ok, if you are comparing to the UWS then they are not good. Transportation is good. I disagree with Viralmd that the area close to the Hospital is safer. It appears that way because the area around the hospital is busier. But the side streets where people live are about the same.

[Viralmd]

I lived up there for the four years I was in medical school - it's absolutely true that nearer the hospital is safer. As one who originally lived BELOW 168th street, and who was mugged in broad daylight, I spoke with the people at the 32nd precinct and they TOLD me it was safer as one got nearer the hospital...and they should know.

[DAS]

Originally Posted by Viralmd

I lived up there for the four years I was in medical school - it's absolutely true that nearer the hospital is safer. As one who originally lived BELOW 168th street, and who was mugged in broad daylight, I spoke with the people at the 32nd precinct and they TOLD me it was safer as one got nearer the hospital...and they should know.

Viralmd: Hasn't it been a few years since you were in med school? I am not arguing that right around the hospital it is safe. But most people live in the area not right around the hospital, where most of the med school students live. I have been in the area very recently, like last week, and I am up there frequently, the apt buildings are pretty much the same on that side and on W155th. There are more amenities though up on the W168th St area, more stores and restaurants. It is livelier up there also because of all the people rushing around the hospital. If that makes people feel safer then that is good.

[Viralmd]

It has been a while, but I do go up there every now and then. And they still have the service providing escort service home by campus police for students leaving the hospital or the library late at night and who live in the neighborhood. It can't be all that safe!

[NooYowkur81]

Originally Posted by Viralmd

I lived up there for the four years I was in medical school - it's absolutely true that nearer the hospital is safer. As one who originally lived BELOW 168th street, and who was mugged in broad daylight, I spoke with the people at the 32nd precinct and they TOLD me it was safer as one got nearer the hospital...and they should know.

Because of a homeless shelter in the Track and Field Armory there are a lot more unsavory types around there besides the usual drug-related criminals. I'm actually not sure if its still used at least partially as a shelter. But there are also a lot of cops around the hospital so yeah it tends to be a little safer. Not much though. But I don't think Washington Heights overall is a dangerous neighborhood anyway. Spotty yeah.

But yeah getting back to the topic, Riverside is fine. The side streets can be spotty. Some of the blocks between Broadway and Riverside are very loud and full of knuckleheads, but you just have to learn your way around. It's more quality of life issues not necessarily crime. Riverside is nice.

[NooYowkur81]

Originally Posted by Viralmd

It has been a while, but I do go up there every now and then. And they still have the service providing escort service home by campus police for students leaving the hospital or the library late at night and who live in the neighborhood. It can't be all that safe!

They would do that throughout the city. The city at night is more dangerous period. It's not necessarily a poor reflection on the neighborhood.

[Viralmd]

Gee, you don't think Fort Washington Avenue and 162nd Street is more dangerous than Park Avenue and 82nd Street? Your logic is specious.