Inwood thoughts?

The subways go there, so you know you're still in NYC.

I don't know what it's like to work there. In terms of residential space, you'll want to be on the west side of Broadway, which is much more gentrified than all parts to the east of B'way.

The nicest areas are the farthest up -- up around Park Terrace East and Park Terrace West, two co-op buidlings that are somewhere around 215th St.

But it's remote. Your friends from downtown won't come visit you very often, because it's too much of a schlep.

It's safe, but you know, don't play in the parks at midnight, behave sensibly as you would anywhere else in town. Lots of families with small kids on the west of Broadway, which was tradtionally an Irish-Jewish area.

The main avenues are noisy at night -- lots of teenagers cruising in their SUVs with the music blaring.

Hey BlueDahlia,

Don't be embarrassed to ask, as having had been born and having had grown up in Inwood I have become quite used to having to answer "where's that?" question many many times. Every few years ago you will see an article in the paper about Inwood being "discovered" or "rediscovered". It's like a small village in a large city if that makes any sense. A little less isolated, staid, and safe then Riverdale is. It went through a real rough patch during the 80's as most of the city did but has rebounded. Inwood has AMAZING
nature throughout the neighborhood. The post-war decades was predominately Irish Catholic, though many immigrants from the Dominican Republic now proudly call it home with a heavy mix of yuppies, families and gays thrown in so it's quite a melting pot. The safer and newer parts of the neighborhoos are west of Broadway and in particular the Park Terrace area with many tree-lined sheets and newer construction.
Like everywehere else though, on street parking is a hassle, but unlike everywhere else, this place is a steal to rent as well as to buy.

Here's a helpful link:

http://www.washington-heights.us/yabbse/index.php?topic=2557.msg70645

A friend of a friend lived up there with his lover, at the very northern tip of the island, back in the nineties & apparently it was fine. You might want to check this out.

http://www.livingheights.com/menu.html

bluedahlia -I'm very familiar with the neighborhood - stay north of 200th and West of Broadway. Seaman ave might be your best bet. Although Park Terrace East and West are nice, I think they are too far from the A train. You need to realize that the A train often runs local and is a pain and you should realize that it often stops at Dyckman and waits 3 or 4 minutes before going to 207th.
You may want to call Parkoff Management as they have a lot of no fee rental buildings up there. You need to realize they aren't the best landlord around but it is still Inwood after all. You may also have some luck renting a co-op (I'd try this avenue first as you're much more likely to find better neighbors and laundry in the building this way.) FYI - you'll rarely eat in out in the neighborhood so if you like eating out move to the 100's and Broadway and commute up there.

I have some friends who live up there and they enjoy it a lot. Have been up there a few times, seems nice enough. Just realize that many of your friends will simply refuse to take the subway all of the way up there.

Maybe bluedahlia can clarify, but my read of her post is she is thinking of commuting to a job there, not necessarily living there.

Time Warner? I have gone there a few times, west of Bway and N. of 200th is Hudson Hts. Perfectly safe, sedate, neighborhood with low-rise Art Deco buildings. I wouldn't say it's suburban, but it's quite. There are some neat areas east of Bway with semi-detached (e.g. Payson) & a couple of detached houses (217th St comes to mind). Retail, restaurant scene somewhat lacking. One decent public school, and I think some parochial school(s) as well.

I'm cheap so I park may car in Inwood at 212st for $120/mth. I go up there infrequently but I always love driving up B'way and watching the streets come alive the farther north I get. It's not typical Manhattan but I can easily see the charm.

If anyone runs, there's a NYRRC race up there in March. Great way to check out neighborhood (only 3 mi).

spinnaker, where is the garage you use on 212th? For that price I might go there too. thanks.

The distance between Indwood and South Riverdale is minimal and you may find you do a lot of your errands (Target!) in the Bronx. If you work in Inwood, you may want to consider living in Sputen Dyivul/South Riverdale, especially if you have a car. Many buildings have parking and also spectacular views of the Hudson and/or Harlem Rivers. Don't know about rents but co-op pricing is way, way, way below prime Manhattan or Brooklyn.

GG --

Carlos Cardona
Parkfast
3976 10th Ave
212-567-5186

Its right on the 1 subway line just south of the 215th st stop so very convenient

MAybe its 220/mth... hmmm

Thanks for all the comments. Yes I would be working there and commuting to the North.
The Job is on Broadway a few blocks south from the park. Sounds like the commute would be my biggest issue.
I am going this weekend to check it out.

If you are commuting by car it shouldn't be an issue at all especially if you can negotiate some parking arrangement. If you are taking Metro North Harlem or Hudson Division you can get out at Sputen Dyuvel and take a bus. From Riverdale, the express bus to midtown stops at 207 street in Inwood.