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I'm starting a job in Dobbs Ferry in mid-June, and wonder where in the city I could live where I could commute in without too much trouble, and that is relatively affordable (ie, a smallish 1 BR apartment for under $1800K). Another priority is being able to get into Manhattan for socializing, shop, sports, etc.
I'm a single, white, male, professional (white collar) in my early 30s who is both a city person and outdoor fanatic (snowboarding, rock climbing, surfing, etc) and looking for something that allows me to be both when I need to be.
From my research, Inwood/Wash Heights looks like a great place for all this.
Thoughts from people who live or have lived there?
How much is parking typically (I'm seeing around $200/month)?
It seems like west of Broadway is the best place to live, true?
How is traffic going north in the morning on I-87 or Saw mill?
I am actually in the same boat as you and considering a move to Inwood. I actually took about an hour last night to drive through (west side) and check out the place and it seemed like a nice neighborhood to move to.
Few of areas that stood out to me were:
--160's (near columbia hospital)
--181st Street & Wadsworth Avenue
--200's (Sherman/Nagle/Dyckman Streets)
I drove through around midnight and there were many people out walking pets and socializing. There seemed to also be a lot of markets/restaurants open and I saw several buses and subways stops along the way. Overall, seemed reasonably safe.
I had the chance to speak to several professionals that live in the area and they seem to enjoy living there. I think the positives are that it is a bit cheaper than living in other parts of manhattan and the A & 1 train provide good transport if you want to get downtown. I did notice that there was very little street parking available (tons of cars already parked) so a garage would definitely be a good thing to have. Hope this helps!
I am actually in the same boat as you and considering a move to Inwood. I actually took about an hour last night to drive through (west side) and check out the place and it seemed like a nice neighborhood to move to.
Few of areas that stood out to me were:
--160's (near columbia hospital)
--181st Street & Wadsworth Avenue
--200's (Sherman/Nagle/Dyckman Streets)
I drove through around midnight and there were many people out walking pets and socializing. There seemed to also be a lot of markets/restaurants open and I saw several buses and subways stops along the way. Overall, seemed reasonably safe.
I had the chance to speak to several professionals that live in the area and they seem to enjoy living there. I think the positives are that it is a bit cheaper than living in other parts of manhattan and the A & 1 train provide good transport if you want to get downtown. I did notice that there was very little street parking available (tons of cars already parked) so a garage would definitely be a good thing to have. Hope this helps!
I would not recommend living anywhere off of Wadsworth Ave at all. At 181st st it is busy and commercial, and the rest of wadsworth is downscale, grubby,and loud. You would have QOL issues there.
I'm not familiar with the Inwood locations so I can't say.
The Columbia Hospital area is the nicest spot, going along Ft. Washington Ave north frrom the hospital. North of 181st to the Clositers and west of Broadway(Hudson Heights) the neighborhood is more upscale, quieter, far fewer QOL issues.
And yes, anyplace in upper Manhattan you would defintely need a garage.
I would not recommend living anywhere off of Wadsworth Ave at all. At 181st st it is busy and commercial, and the rest of wadsworth is downscale, grubby,and loud. You would have QOL issues there.
I'm not familiar with the Inwood locations so I can't say.
The Columbia Hospital area is the nicest spot, going along Ft. Washington Ave north frrom the hospital. North of 181st to the Clositers and west of Broadway(Hudson Heights) the neighborhood is more upscale, quieter, far fewer QOL issues.
And yes, anyplace in upper Manhattan you would defintely need a garage.
I live in washington heights and i can co-sign the above. Wadsworth is not that great!
Why would anyone who works in Dobbs Ferry live in Washington Heights?
That is insanity.
If you like a bit more city area than Dobbs Ferry try White Plains.
White Plains is maybe 10 minutes from Dobbs Ferry & maybe 20 minutes from central Manhattan.
Washington Heights is pretty bad. It is largely Section 8 slums & rather crime filled & dirty.
If you don't get Section 8 it is ridiculously expensive.
The Columbia Hospital area is the nicest spot, going along Ft. Washington Ave north frrom the hospital.
Just curious, but what about directly east of the hospital? I know people on here say west of Broadway is better, but I'm curious if it is okay heading East when it is just next to the hospital? I looked at a place today around 169 and Amsterdam, seemed fine, maybe a little noisy, but didn't seem dangerous or anything like that.
Just curious, but what about directly east of the hospital? I know people on here say west of Broadway is better, but I'm curious if it is okay heading East when it is just next to the hospital? I looked at a place today around 169 and Amsterdam, seemed fine, maybe a little noisy, but didn't seem dangerous or anything like that.
From what I've seen of the area I don't know that it is particularly dangerous, in that most of the Heights is long past the drug wars that used to afflict the area. But the QOL in that part would not be my cup of tea, even if the apartment itself is well cared for and the rent is right.
And for what it's worth, the poster who considered Washington Heghts ridiculosulsy expensive is way off base. It and Inwood are basically the only affordable areas left in Manhattan. The nicer parts of the area are far cheaper than anything downtown, largely I'd say because of the distance and the area's retailing is still generally pretty poor. East of Broadway is still largely a poor immigrant (Dominican) area and the stores reflect that.
Washington Heights west of Broadway and north of 168th is not slummy at all. In fact it's very nice, and much cheaper than it seems like it should be. I'm almost afraid to recommend it to people because I want to move back there some day....
BTW in my limited experience traffic on all the highways to Westchester sucks hard all the time. EDIT: realized you're doing a reverse commute so it will probably be fine.
Last edited by BinxBolling; 06-18-2012 at 07:39 PM..
Thanks for all the info, everyone! FRom the research I've done (driving around, talking to random people on the streets, friends, etc) the neighborhoods in the Heights/Inwood are varied, some really nice, some noiser, some quieter, pretty much just like any NY neighborhood.
As for pricing, these prices are very good for NYC and offer some of the best QOL for the price, by far.
Mathman, yep, this is exactly what I've seen on the weekends and will be going around the neighborhood later tomorrow to check out the weekdays for QOL. Parking in this neighborhood can vary (like parking on Broadway as long as you move your car by 8am), but most people who actually use their car daily, put it in lots.
Living in WP or Dobbs Ferry is just not for me and the distance to travel back and forth on the weekends can range from 30-60 minutes via train, which becomes not too convenient.
The commute, from what I've found, is about 25-30 minutes during "rush" hours, though this is for a reverse commute, which makes it doable, unless you live below 181st (GW bridge) which makes it a LOT longer.
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