Questions about moving to Washington Heights...sorry for vague title (New York: real estate, apartment complex)

[Veteropinguis]

So, where I differ from most people asking questions here is that I'm actually a native New Yorker. However, I've lived in the same apartment all my life, and I'm 17 so my life experience is rather limited. I've been living on the Lower East Side and I know a lot about that area, and a good chunk of Brooklyn. We're getting rent-controlled out of our apartment July 1, and my parents decided that they'd like to buy a house with some relatives and have us all move it. They've fallen in love with a house in Washington Heights, on 162nd between Amsterdam and Edgecombe. But I've got some reservations.

My mom and I drove around the neighborhood today and it seemed pretty cool. We were driving around 3:45, so there were a ton of high school kids walking around- but they were all chilled out, no packs of screaming idiots like the schools in my area. (I'm out of high school so school quality isn't a big concern for me personally.) It was a nice busy sort of area, don't know if it sounds weird to say this but there were a lot more signs in English than I expected. There were a few bits that weren't that great, but I'd put them on par with what it's like on some patches of Avenue D. I mean, all in all, it seems like a good place to live.

But, given that I've only ever lived in the one apartment complex, I've got some questions.

1. Currently, I, a 5'9 108 lb Jewish girl, feel completely safe walking home around midnight or even around 1 AM, though I'm usually home around 11:30. However I basically just walk from the subway around the perimeter of my complex and it's safe inside. How late would I be able to do that in the part of Washington Heights I mentioned? There are two tall adult male family members who would walk me from the subway but I don't want to make them keep my stupid hours, and my boyfriend would be happy to escort me home- but he lives in Brooklyn and I'd rather not make him come all the way up, walk me home, and go all the way back. I have a job working for an artist which requires that I spend evenings in Lower Manhattan. I'm not a partier and I don't drink or get high so I would be coming home completely sober, but I'd have a 40-minute subway ride to deal with. My parents have said they'd be willing to pay for cabs but that would add up fast. I'm taking a lot of courses this year despite not being in high school and this art job isn't going to be getting me money for a few months...I'd help if I could, but unfortunately my resources are really, really limited. So, anyway, point is, being able to walk home unescorted would be really nice if it was possible. I doubt it is, but I thought I'd ask/

Also, I usually kill the time on train rides with a nice long podcast or an audiobook. I had to sell my iPod but I'm going to be buying a Touch soon and will certainly have one by the time we move. If I kept it in my jacket pocket and was discreet about my non-Apple headphones would I be as safe as anywhere else or should I just not risk it? Because of my gender and scrawniness I know I'm quite a target. I know I'd be okay during the day, but let's say I was getting off the train at 1:15 AM. What about then?

How's the train service way up north? I figure it's probably as good as anywhere else in the city and the A is usually pretty reliable for me, but I figured I'd ask.

I should probably know this stuff, given that I was born and raised here, but I've never lived in another neighborhood and though I know how much my family's rent is and know how much things generally cost, I don't have any experience with specifics.

Oh, random thought.

The plan my family has is that my parents and some other relatives will all be chipping in to buy a building, splitting the costs equally. There would be two, possibly three households. What they'd like is two duplexes in one building and possibly also a one-bedroom apartment in that building, to either be used as an office for the family business or for yet another relative to live in. Should I bother poking around real estate listings tomorrow for buildings that fit that description, for 1.2 million dollars maximum (as in if it's 1.2 mil it can't even need a new coat of paint) in:

Williamsburg
Greenpoint
Whatever the area around the 7th avenue stop on the Q is called
Fort Greene
Clinton Hill
Brooklyn Heights

Once again I doubt it but I figured I'd ask people who know about moving costs.

Sorry if this post is really retarded; it's 3:15 AM. I was only told last week that we were definitely going to have to move, and oh by the way it's to a townhouse Washington Heights, when last I knew we had a vague plan to get an apartment in Brooklyn- so it's been kind of stressing me out.

I'm looking forward to moving (I will get my own room for the first time in my entire existence; I'm a twin so I never even got a uterus to myself ) but I'm still nervous and would like any info you guys can give.

Oh, and what's the deal with the Edgecombe Correctional Facility? My mom and I only found that when we were driving by today. It looked very low-security and it's actually in a really nice building; we had no idea it was a lockup. If anyone can tell me anything about that, please do. Whatever other info you have about Washington Heights would be great. Thanks for reading this wall of text.

[NooYowkur81]

I'm pretty familiar with the area. I went to Junior High right around there (Stitt), but I have to say I'm not totally familiar with the specific townhouses you speak of. The correctional facility is right by the Junior High. Odd city planning at its finest but honestly the facility is very quiet, I often wondered if it was even operational since you barely notice its there.

I'm a bit biased because I grew up around there during a much rougher time (80's to early 90's), so I automatically don't think it's as rough as it used to be. I have a cousin who also lives in the area but a little further up. Some of the blocks between Amsterdam and Edgecombe can be a bit intimidating especially on warm days. Lots of people hanging out outside. Another thing to be aware of is that Edgecombe can be very desolate with the exception of the summer when a lot of people congregate at the park. Since your coming from the LES though I don't think you should have too many issues though getting used to the area.

[Viralmd]

Originally Posted by NooYowkur81

Wow a house in Washington Heights, there are not too many of those.

No, actually there are quite a few: especially between Fort Washington Avenue and Riverside Drive.

[NooYowkur81]

Originally Posted by Viralmd

No, actually there are quite a few: especially between Fort Washington Avenue and Riverside Drive.

I thought at first she was referring to house like a house house not a townhouse and there (suburban type houses) really aren't too many of those. A few yes but it's still not that common. I know there (suburban type houses) are also some by St. Nicholas and by Audobon.

[Viralmd]

The OP is talking about a brownstone - there are a LOT in the area.

The specific area the OP is talking about would make me nervous. Especially across the street from the park and the walk to the subway. She might want to take a taxi home if she must come home late at night.

[NooYowkur81]

Originally Posted by Viralmd

The OP is talking about a brownstone - there are a LOT in the area.

The specific area the OP is talking about would make me nervous. Especially across the street from the park and the walk to the subway. She might want to take a taxi home if she must come home late at night.

Yes I realize. They are technically called townhouses not brownstones and there are quite a few. But again I thought at first she was talking about a suburban type house which you don't really see too many of in the area and that's why I made that comment. I agree that she should be careful at night and I would suggest investing in a good pepper spray.

[holden125]

I probably have a different idea of what's safe or doable than you do, but I think you'd be OK taking the subway back alone. 162 from St. Nick to Edgecombe is one of the nicest blocks uptown, right by the Morris Jumel mansion and Sylvan Terrace. The subway is basically right on the corner of 162 (the 163 stop's exit at 163 St is closed, ironically), so you'd really only have to walk on your block.

The train is OK going up there, but a little slow when it runs only local. 163 is served by the C only at times when the A runs express. You can change to or from the A or the D at 145, across the platform. A ride on the A or D with a quick transfer to the C for the last couple of stops is pretty fast. A ride going local the whole way can take a while, but should be in line with your 40-minute estimate unless you spend a long time waiting for the train downtown.

[NooYowkur81]

Originally Posted by holden125

I probably have a different idea of what's safe or doable than you do, but I think you'd be OK taking the subway back alone. 162 from St. Nick to Edgecombe is one of the nicest blocks uptown, right by the Morris Jumel mansion and Sylvan Terrace. The subway is basically right on the corner of 162 (the 163 stop's exit at 163 St is closed, ironically), so you'd really only have to walk on your block.

The train is OK going up there, but a little slow when it runs only local. 163 is served by the C only at times when the A runs express. You can change to or from the A or the D at 145, across the platform. A ride on the A or D with a quick transfer to the C for the last couple of stops is pretty fast. A ride going local the whole way can take a while, but should be in line with your 40-minute estimate unless you spend a long time waiting for the train downtown.

She also has the option of taking the A train all the way to 168th which leaves her right by the Hospital. That is a much busier station. A longer walk home but it might be a wash comparatively when factoring in the wait for the C.

[holden125]

Originally Posted by NooYowkur81

She also has the option of taking the A train all the way to 168th which leaves her right by the Hospital. That is a much busier station. A longer walk home but it might be a wash comparatively when factoring in the wait for the C.

I think it probably is a wash. If the A is running express, it's just as easy to switch at 145 and go 2 stops to 163 than it is to go on the A to 168 and come back down. Especially since the wait for the C won't be as long at times when the A's running express. When there is only local service, obviously there's no point in going to 168 when the train's stopping at 163 anyway.

Since she's not nuts about walking around St. Nicholas I'd go with transferring to the local and getting off at 163.