Lower hamilton Heights or East Harlem?

My bet is always on having your own building.

I live in the upper 140's and have seen large improvements in the area since I purchased in 2005. I am bullish on the neighborhood as a neighborhood, but not with respect to pricing. One of my neighbors upstairs has their unit on the market for 60% more than they paid in 2005- and predictably it's just sitting on the market.

At the last Police Community Meeting (30th precinct), one woman publically thanked the police for cracking down on the loud music that was playing at night during the warm weather months in Riverside Park in the 140's. I still see some petty drug dealing in the neighborhood- but the police have definitely addressed the majority of the worst crime issues in the last few years. Retail is still seriously lacking, but has been improving and some of the changes are very noticeable on Broadway from 145-150. Amsterdam lags far behind Broadway on the retail front.

I can't speak too much on East Harlem, but the crime stats are still much higher that Hamilton Heights and was really the last section of Harlem to start improving prior to the downturn.

FYI, Hamilton Heights runs from 135th to 155th st- therefore the upper 140's would not be Lower Hamilton Heights.

Upper 140s is WASHINGTON Heights, not Hamilton Heights. And it's worlds better than East Harlem ever will be.

NYC Matt is incorrect.155th Street is the border between Washington Heights and Harlem (in the case of Western Harlem it's the Hamilton Heights section of Harlem). The 30th Precinct is Hamilton Heights- and it covers 135th to 155th. The zip code 10031 is Harlem (Hamilton Heights) in that same terrority. Western section of 140's is Community Board 9- which is Hamilton Heights, Manhattanville, West Harlem and Morningside Heights.

not even a question, the west side. with the amount of project in East Harlem and the location you're pointing out, you'll have to walk through hell before getting anywhere.

I live on 158th and RSD, which although is technically Washington Heights, I feel it's pretty much the same neighborhood as Hamilton Heights on RSD (which btw runs up to 155th). I also looked in E.Harlem and felt the west side was a better choice...much better buildings, #1 and A trains, and RSD is awesome. To me it just feels nicer. Both neighborhoods have a long ways to go with amenities but I think ultimately the west side will be a better investment and be a more desirable location. However, something to consider is the future plans for the 2nd ave subway line....

Depends on how likely you think the 2nd phase of the 2nd ave subway is. NOW that part of east harlem is desolate. When and if the T train and Q train stops at 125th/2nd, maybe. But I am not sure when this will ever get done.

"But I am not sure when this will ever get done."

Not in our lifetimes.

I vastly prefer the west side and think hands down it's a better neighborhood...just trying to present another outlook.