Harlem vs. Wash Hts. vs. Inwood

[jali887]

Originally Posted by EAG19

My boyfriend and I are moving to NYC and need a place by March 1st. I've been getting some great advice on this board. We're down to a few places. 176 st. and pinehurst ave., 172 st. and haven ave., 181 st and fort washington ave. Those are the three right now. My boyfriend will be commuting to englewood cliffs, nj so we wanted to be near the GWB and we knew wash hts. west of broadway is a better area. my question is that someone recently told us that harlem is actually okay to live in and suggested a place on 124 st. between 5th ave and madison. I also hear that Inwood might be the best of the three. What advice do you guys have about the places I listed above vs. the harlem or inwood neighborhoods. Are there good areas in harlem I'm overlooking? IS there an area in Inwood that's safer than other areas in Inwood? I'm looking to be able to walk and get some groceries, go to the pharmacy etc. with ease. I'd also like to head downtown and be able to return late at night with caution but without being in fear all the time. Any suggestions?

HiMy young daughter recent Brown University grad, never lived on her own (suburban girl) moved to Harlem.
She got a apt in a beautifully renovated brownstone in the Morris Height's tree lined district. She worked at Sloane Memorial Hospital and attended NYU 's Wagner grad program at night. I was scared for her at first but she lived there for six years. When there was a NYC Black Out of electricity she told me her neighbors got together checked that everone in the building and surrounding street had flashlight and candles and was safe until the lights came on. She moved last Sept to Alexandria Va. She told me she never felt safer then when she was in Harlem.