How is the Columbia U and Morningside Heights area?

[rhyme1]

Hello,

I am new to the forums and I am going to be moving to NYC next month to begin graduate school at Columbia University. I have never lived in NYC before but I am excited about it.

I have been looking at an apartment in a Mitchell-Lama rent-subsidized building on West 110th Street, between Amsterdam Ave and Morningside Dr. The apartment is renovated, in great shape, and the price is a bargain compared to the other stuff in the area. Due to my roommates and I being full-time students, we apparently qualify for the rent-subsidy due to our lack of employment/income.

I was wondering if someone on the board can help me out. Am I being shrewd and getting a good deal, or am I going to regret this? I am usually a firm believer that there's no free lunch in life -- this place is approximately 20-25% below the market rental rates. I have never seen the neighborhood, but I am a bit concerned about safety. Does anyone live nearby to this area? Could you please shed some light on the safety, demographics, etc.? Are there a lot of Columbia students living in this neighborhood? Is it safe to walk home alone from the Columbia campus to this area at night?

Additionally, if anyone can shed some light on the make-up, operations, and general quality of these Mitchell-Lama buildings in Manhattan, I would also be appreciative.

Thanks in advance.

[wolfmansbro]

Anyone have info on the area on the east side of morningside park (around 114th - 118th st)? Is it safe and nice, or is it very different from the Columbia side? Thanks for your help

[Wes927]

Originally Posted by wolfmansbro

Anyone have info on the area on the east side of morningside park (around 114th - 118th st)? Is it safe and nice, or is it very different from the Columbia side? Thanks for your help

NY is a safe city, so few areas of Harlem are dangerous for a bystander who has street smarts (especially at night). However, east of the park it is Harlem, not Morningside Heights and the 'hood is no where near as nice.

As you see on this "murder map" there is a bit of a "hole" in Morningside Heights (West 110s and lower 120s, west of Morningside Park). No one should live in fear of murder, but I think this map is informational about the nature of the area....

New York City Homicides Map - The New York Times

[DAS]

Originally Posted by wolfmansbro

Anyone have info on the area on the east side of morningside park (around 114th - 118th st)? Is it safe and nice, or is it very different from the Columbia side? Thanks for your help

I live on the west side of the park, but go over to the east side of it because there is health food store on 8th Ave and 112th I like. It is nice over there, and just as safe, just not as White as the Columbia side. It is more diverse.
The east side of the park once you cross the street on Manhattan Ave you are in Harlem proper. There are many native Harlemites on that side, even most of the White people have been there 10-20 years, that area was has been a mixed area, over 20 years. Just take the necessary precautions that you have to take anywhere in the city.