Hamilton Heights vs Hudson Heights (Washington Heights: rental, credit report, how much)

[jjbradleynyc]

Originally Posted by NYCTelevisionWriter

Hudson Heights is much more "settled" and established.

Hamilton Heights, depending on the block, is still a bit dicey safety-wise (particularly at night). And forget about neighborhood amenities like restaurants and grocery stores; Broadway is a vast wasteland of bodegas and fast food. It's not really a neighborhood you'd be spending a lot of time hanging out in, as opposed to Hudson Heights.

This is not necessarily true any longer in some areas--especially becoming the case from 145-150 streets on Broadway. Gentrification is finally taking hold quickly and in another 1-2 years the whole region will probably follow suit along Broadway.

[jjbradleynyc]

Originally Posted by silverbullnyc

You're asking this board when like 80% of the people who will respond haven't been to that area since the 1980s or if ever lol.

Agree. Some of the posts/replies are not in line with recent changes and gentrification happening in Hamilton Heights. TONS of new things are popping up. There are new spots like Hand Pulled Noodle and Anchor Bar joining Harlem Public, At the Wallace, Union Grille, and Amsterdam Social.

[NooYowkur81]

Just within the last couple of years I know of at least 3-4 restaurants that opened up in the 140's on Amsterdam. There have also been very noticeable changes on Broadway.

[Febtober]

Originally Posted by jjbradleynyc

There are new spots like Hand Pulled Noodle and Anchor Bar joining Harlem Public, At the Wallace, Union Grille, and Amsterdam Social.

I like Anchor Wine Bar a lot. It has a nice atmosphere, very reasonable prices, and is actually quiet. Now that I'm 30, I'm an old man and I like to be able to go for a date on Friday night and not have to shout over blasting music.

[MisterStereoman]

With Columbia erecting a building on Broadway around 148th (topped out already), and a new campus under construction in the west 130's just below Ham Hts (they're calling it Manhattanville), and all the new Medical campus buildings going up in the 160's, I think their tentacles are being deeply entrenched in the whole upper Broadway corridor, and this, along with whatever gentrification would happen anyway, is going to turn the area into another Ivy League playground.

Makes me wonder, as I'm typing this, if the Univ isn't quietly buying up property in the area, for "future considerations." After all, their students and employees have to live *somewhere*.

[wheretolivenyc]

Thanks everyone for the great replies. Spent the day waking around yesterday... Walked from 190 to 125 zigzagging from Hudson to Broadway!... We loved the area between 187th and 181st. Of course this is also where rents are highest. The area below the GWB seemed OK but we we didn't see as many places as between 181 and 187 where we were like oh yeah, we'd go there, and there, and there. The architecture we saw in Hamilton Heights was absolutely gorgeous but we were getting tired and we only walked Broadway. So I feel like based on the above posts we missed out. It sounds like the area deserves another go around, perhaps further east? I think I just got so stuck on "west of Broadway" that I mistakenly applied that to Hamilton, too. "Hudson" Heights seemed way more dog friendly than Hamilton though. Am I wrong about that too? We have two and they're not exactly the kind you can carry around in a bag We have some friends that live in and love Inwood so they are going to take us around. Good prices but it seems so very far...

[NYCTelevisionWriter]

DON'T GO EAST OF BROADWAY ABOVE 125th STREET!!!!

Yes, the architecture may be pretty, but unless you like being surrounded by Section 8, yelling and screaming, bottles thrown, car alarms going off, and blaring salsa music at all hours, do not even think of buying in those areas.

[WhyRUMad]

Originally Posted by NYCTelevisionWriter

DON'T GO EAST OF BROADWAY ABOVE 125th STREET!!!!

Yes, the architecture may be pretty, but unless you like being surrounded by Section 8, yelling and screaming, bottles thrown, car alarms going off, and blaring salsa music at all hours, do not even think of buying in those areas.

Actually, in Hamilton Heights between 140th and 150th, you want to be anywhere between the Hudson river and Edgecombe. I live in the area and as long as I'm not walking directly on 145th or Broadway (main streets), all I hear are the sounds of birds chirping and students chatting while walking to Columbia or City College.

[fmatthew5876]

OP, don't forget to walk along Riverside Drive in Hamilton Heights if you haven't yet. The walkway along the hill is very pretty there. Also I would recommend checking out Fort Washington Park by the river. You can start at Fairway Market on the Hudson River around 125th street and walk / bike all the way up to the end at 181st.

[mike12326]

Both Hamilton Heights and Washington Heights are pretty but if I had to choose, Washington Heights would be #1 on my list. Especially areas north of 181st Street and West of Broadway. Just be aware, anywhere west of Broadway, most landlords want you to make 40x the rent. There may be some exceptions like if youre dealing with a private owner which happens from time to time. Or if you put down a huge deposit. But generally speaking, landlords West of Broadway are very strict with the 40x rent rule. That means if you want rent an apartment that's for $2000, you'll need to make $80,000 a year to get that apartment. Areas East of Broadway, generally speaking, that rule is more relaxed and the rents are a bit more affordable. The reason is probably because that area is a bit sketchy. Not dangerous by any means but sketchy.

I agree with a few of the commenters about Ft Washington park by the Hudson River. It is a beautiful area to go to, especially during the warmer months. You have the river, beautiful view of the George Washington Bridge, tennis courts etc. On 181st and Riverside Drive, youl find a passage way that leads you down into the park.