Apartment in Harlem along St Nicholas Park--Safety? (affordable apartment, rentals)
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I'm one of three female college students going crazy looking for an affordable apartment before school starts. We found one we like on St. Nicholas Ave bet. W 131st and 132nd St. It's right across the street from St Nicholas Park and right along the ABCD line. But when I called the police precinct they said to stay west of the park, closer to City College. Please tell me your thoughts on a safe neighborhood in Harlem?
I'm one of three female college students going crazy looking for an affordable apartment before school starts. We found one we like on St. Nicholas Ave bet. W 131st and 132nd St. It's right across the street from St Nicholas Park and right along the ABCD line. But when I called the police precinct they said to stay west of the park, closer to City College. Please tell me your thoughts on a safe neighborhood in Harlem?
For me, that neighborhood is a little iffy. I think you should walk around there and get a feel for it. Go during the day and night and see for yourself. Harlem is nowhere near as bad as it was 20 years ago. But,it's not perfect.
Unfortunately, I lived exactly there for a number of years. The neighborhood is indeed quite iffy, if deceptively so - it does not look so bad. But even for Central Harlem, it is definitely not good. Keep in mind that most of the buildings between 129th and 135th are social service buildings, housing former indigents, drug rehab, sex offenders, ex-cons - but those who would also be homeless without this social service housing. The involved "organizations" do little to manage their populations other than post signs forbidding hanging out on the steps - which residents ignore. I think there are only three buildings open to regular rentals. One I would avoid no matter what, so I hope this is not your building of consideration. The other is owned by a company that is known as a bit of a slum lord, but I do not have direct experience. And you would still have the neighborhood. FD Blvd. is another contributing factor, and the proximity of the projects there as well.
The bigger problem is that the residents, both social service housing-types and others, are extremely hostile to "newcomers." To put it mildly. You can make your own decision there, the level of harassment you can tolerate and so on. There were a number of cases that involved arrests for harassment and I cannot imagine that this has changed so much. If you have a less PC broker, i.e., a more honest broker, s/he will tell you this. It is now widely known.
Convent, to the west, is vastly better. Some of the side streets are not good, but any would be better than St. Nicholas.
The awful building I mentioned has not been able to keep tenants - the old super and his cronies harass people out of the units, and if you complain about the lack of hot water (among other issues ! many) the landlord will encourage them to get rid of you. That's what you are talking about on those blocks. I experienced this first hand and met other people who had experienced the same.
I'm one of three female college students going crazy looking for an affordable apartment before school starts. We found one we like on St. Nicholas Ave bet. W 131st and 132nd St. It's right across the street from St Nicholas Park and right along the ABCD line. But when I called the police precinct they said to stay west of the park, closer to City College. Please tell me your thoughts on a safe neighborhood in Harlem?
I remember i dated a girl who use to live near that area. At night, that park becomes a zoo. A lot of thugs/drug dealers/sketchy people. If you decide to live there expect a lot of catcalls and harrassment. You should walk around the area at night on a Friday and Saturday night. How much are you 3 willing to spend on an APT?
Last edited by Mr. Klato; 08-14-2011 at 10:08 AM..
I remember i dated a girl who use to live near that area. At night, that park becomes a zoo. A lot of thugs/drug dealers/sketchy people. If you decide to leave there expect a lot of catcalls and harrassment. You should walk around the area at night on a Friday and Saturday night. How much are you 3 willing to spend on an APT?
I agree, and wanted to point out that I am talking about additional harassment ... not the street kind attached to being female. I meant harassment directed at making your life a living hell because they do not want certain sorts of people living there. They probably see this as "political."
I live not too far from where the OP mentioned and while my area is decent, I would probably not recommend 131st/132nd by the park....I've never really felt comfortable over there.
One more suggestion, given that there are three of you, you might consider St. Nicholas Terrace above 129th. I have heard that the building on the corner of 128th is not good. But higher up there are often huge apartments with quite decent rents. The Terrace is not great, kind of a continuation of St. Nicholas, but this is changing closer to City College, and this will change a great deal I think in the coming years. It is separated from the 'hood by the park, most of the buildings are owned by developers who are just waiting things out.
Or the side streets between the Terrace and Convent, I know that there are places with rentals now. Convent is quite different.
Saint Nicolas Ave and 135th seems very safe and upcoming, in the day and at night. Yes there a few public housing buildings but the people keep to themselves. You will see people hanging out like you do in other inner city boroughs. To be honest, I really don't know why you guys are giving a negative vibe about this area. This has got to be one of the best areas in Harlem. Anything east of 7th avenue I can understand, but Saint Nicolas Park? City College campus? Really? In fact there are about 5 luxury condos in this area. If anything this will be a great area in 5-10 years.
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