Hamiliton Heights/ Riveside Drive

the golden question

I think go for it, alot is coming to our tiny island and we need space. Everything has to be re discovered again. I think its time we branch out and head north to Harlem, its really an exciting area and lots going on and so much coming there. We are moving to Harlem too!

People are talking about moving "uptown" and taking over the neighborhood and changing them around. What about the people that live there? I think some of these snobs need to get their noses out of the air and realize that people already live there.

News flash: the "people who live in Harlem" have been moving out in droves in recent decades -- to NY's suburbs, to Atlanta, to Vegas, to Brooklyn, to other NYC neighborhoods. NYC's African-American population, in particular, is dwindling. That's mostly due to more appealing opportunities nationwide. They're not being "forced out" any more than Jews (2 million in NYC in the 1950s, less than 1 million now) were.

And what's snobby (and racist) is assuming that newcomers are "taking over the neighborhood".

#5 I agree.....progress cannot be stopped....welcome to Harlem!

There are less than 1 million Jews in New York..where have they gone? Have they followed Black people to Atlanta?

Harlem will never change.There are too many projects there to change the basics, poor, less educated minorities, and high crime.

#8 Idiot and racist! Just check the NY Times crime stats you'll see that Harlem actually has a lower crime rate than Chelsea, Uppper and Lower East Side.

I was thinking about buying an apt at 2002 fifth across the street from Mt Morris Park (ie Marcus Garvey Park). I drove by the other day and it was a total slum. I didnt even feel safe driving there and I was in a car! I can just imaging walking around there. Then I heard about the man being murdered in that park. If it is an up and coming neighborhood, I think it will be safe in 20 years minimum. Its a total warzone up there.

#10, that's a lot of uninformed crap you're talkin'. Grow up.

#10, I know what you mean. I was thinking of buying near 62nd & 5th a few years ago, when I heard that a doctor blew his ex-wife's house up with himself in it. That's another total war zone. I didn't even feel safe in my Brink's armored vehicle. Maybe in 20 years I'll reconsider it.

lol #12.

#12 Bravo!

You recite crime stats; they mean nothing. Poor people do not report crime, robbery, rape, etc. Only crazies would move to Harlem.

The stats were initially recited by someone who obviously lives further downtown....now that the stats show that Harlem is safer you want to discredit and disregard them...pitiful! If crime weren't reported in poorer areas then the crime rates in those areas should be "0" genius.

#15 has very flawed logic. By your logic, shouldn't the poorer other areas of manhattan have equally lower crime?

Think about SOHO and the west village back in the 70's and 80's. It was not desirable then. It aslo had crime. No one wanted to live there. Now it is one of the hottest places to be!

My apt was robbed twice. Firt time I was not at home, the second time I caught them in action and was lucky that they did not hurt me.Criminals have a lot time because they do not have regular jobs.They observe you ... know where you live, know when you move it, what you have in your apt, when you are out, when you are back,etc.I was the target apparently because I just moved in and I had high-end stuffs.Not trying to target Harlem but you should always be careful of your surrounding.

Don't you think that can happen anywhere? Why just Harlem.

Just sharing my experience. As indicated, NOT TARGETING Harlem, we should always be alert of our surrounding. If you have been robbed, you would want to make sure it does not happen to other people.

Getting back to the original question - Hamilton Heights and Riverside Drive will appreciate in price as demand moves uptown. Although these are neighborhoods that are quite far uptown, they are still "on the island". Assuming Manhattan demand stays strong (which is likely given the current state of the NYC economy), you'll see pricing pressures flow on fron the UWS, to Harlem, and then further up to Washington Heights and Hamilton Heights.

Call me crazy, but moved to hamilton heights 6mths ago and LOVE it.
Beautiful architecture, friendly people, feel safe at any time.
Of course amenities are lacking, but you can't have everything for that price, and sometimes you need to make a bet. But if you truly love Harlem and its charm, that is not that of a big bet...
#19: Sorry to hear that (robberies usual happen to poshier hoods!) Everybody knows each other in my block, so thats better than any neighborhood watch! So choosing your block is also important. talk to people living there.
Regarding the neighbourhood: Look at it, its amazing. The bones are here and more . Columbia's expansion, hopefully reasonably done, can only improve all West Harlem.

Harlem is still a great buy! But not if you are planning to sell in the next few years... Every New York real estate cycle (since 1973, when I started watching) has prices falling the steepest in "outer areas" when the market slows or goes down... If you want to make sure you dont lose money on your investment, buy in "established" neighborhoods... I'm biased, (cause I live here) but Midtown east seems to be the best deal in town (all amenties plus incredible transportation) - and.. you if you happen to work in Midtown - you are 3 minutes (walking) from work.... Don't get me wrong, Hamilton is beautiful and safe - but it is living in Manhattan "in name only". Astoria or LIC or closer and you don't have to spend $4.25 on Metro North to get to Grand Central quickly.... (I know, you can take the A train - but it takes 50minutes...)

Well, to be precise, you can take ABCD1 lines from hamilton heights.
A,but D especially is express, with columbus circle only 2 stops and 10mns away...