Morningside Heights vs. Washington Heights vs. Inwood

[Uptowner10]

Originally Posted by high iron

East side of Broadway Ft George here. Just spent until 3 AM last nite (work nite) lying awake listening to the local neerdowells playing dominoes. They've recently ramped up the annoyingness content of this game. Just slamming the domino down as hard as possible is now passe...you also have to bellow the spanglish equivalent of BOOYAH! or as the Jamaicans say, BUP BUP BUP!

As has been written many times, one really should live west of Broadway if at all possible. Dyckman Street should be avoided as the restaurants become night clubs at night and it can be deafening.

[fmatthew5876]

I lived in Washington Heights for a year and commuted to Greenwich CT everyday by car. Your commute by car to white plains will not be that bad at all. Inwood obviously is the best option in terms of the car commute. You can take broadway north into the Bronx and then switch to Major Deegan. Henry Hudson is also fast to get out of the city but you'll pay a 2 way toll. If you decide on Morningside Heights, the henry hudson will likely be your best option for getting out of the city.

You will need to pay for parking so put that in your budget. Finding street parking during after work hours is next to impossible. When I was there I found a deal for $200 / month outdoor parking but the prices can vary. Outdoor spaces near broadway can go for around $250 for outdoor and over $300 for indoor.

Indoor parking in up on the area on the hill near cloisters can be upwards fo $400 / month but you can easily take the elevator at 190th A station and use a cheaper lot on broadway. Thats what I was doing when I lived there.

[Uptowner10]

$2,200.00 is a fairly high budget for Inwood. One can easily find a large, attractive 1 bedroom for $1,800.00. The difference I suppose could pay for a parking garage. Trying to park on the street is a nightmare.

[lauraleaf]

I can't speak much to parking, as I don't own a car, but I can speak to the three neighborhoods you are considering. I grew up in Morningside Heights and lived there until 3 years ago. I now live in Washington Heights (in the "Hudson Heights" section, west of Broadway in 180s), and I spend a fair amount of time in Inwood as well.

All three neighborhoods are great and have their own charms (and a few drawbacks), but I would happily recommend any of them. For commuting to White Plains, Washington Heights or Inwood will be a bit faster (maybe 15 minutes faster). Your money will also go further in Washington Heights or Inwood, and you should be able to get a spacious 1-bedroom in a nice area. These neighborhoods also have beautiful parks -- Inwood Hill Park, Ft. Tyron Park, and Fort Washington Park are wonderful places to go for a walk or have a picnic.

On the other hand, Morningside Heights is closer to downtown Manhattan, so it all depends on what's more important to you. An apartment in your price range will be smaller, maybe a walk-up building, but you'll be a bit closer to the big action. The parks -- Riverside and Morningside -- are nice, not quite as lush and scenic as uptown, but fine for a stroll on a nice day.

[pietrang]

You should also look in the Bronx in Kingsbridge or Bedford Park. Same type of neighborhoods with an easy commute to White Plains and downtown at lower rents. From Bedford Park, you even have the option of taking the Metro North to White Plains.