Sessanta - NOT SAFE!

did you not visit the area before renting a home there? they're just messing with her because she looks scared of them.

Two things:
- yes we were aware of the projects. But at the time, there was no entrance to the building on 61st street. So with just the 60th street entrance, one did not have to deal with anything happening on 61st street. Now, an entrance to the building on 61st street has been opened. It would be different if there was a doorman there to monitor entry/exit from the building but the is not the case. In fact, on numerous occasions, I have seen the door on the 6at street side is not even locked! Anyone can walk in freely. That is not what I was promised in a"doorman building".
- my wife was not looking scared, she was walking minding her own business. There was no reason to look worried/scared, until now that is....

Seems like the building has great amenities. Lack of doorman seems out of place. Seems very surprising. I'm sure they'll put one in if the tenants will pay for it.

Women harassed on the streets of New York? Shocking. However, that behavior is not limited to projects. Guys from i-bankers and attorneys to street-corner thugs do it. to Doormen aren't going to sit on the street and prevent your wife from being harassed.

Much as sympathize with your wife, there's a certain troglodyte contingent that still thinks it's "a compliment." I find a good f-u usually reminds them that it isn't; your wife may prefer a more ladylike solution. When your lease is up you'll probably find there's not too many places in the city - or in any other city for that matter - where that kind of behavior doesn't happen.

"My wife has already been harassed on 61st street and amsterdam while walking home one evening. I cant wait for our lease to get over! inconvenient would be one thing, but unsafe is a definite NO NO!"

What do you mean by "harassed?" There is "oh baby" and "I'm going to cut you." Both would qualify but most NYC women would ignore the first, with the latter being more troubling. Part of what bullies capitalize on from the playground to adulthood is perceived discomfort, maybe if your wife bought something like pepper spray, she would feel more confident and they would leave her alone. If there are no reports of attacks in the area, I'm not sure I would be concerned - they probably get their jollies looking scary and getting people to react.

Does it have a magnetized lock or anything or is it LITERALLY unlocked and wide open? Because plenty of doorman buildings have locked second entrances that the doorman or valet buzzes you in, or you have a card, whatever. If its UNLOCKED and unattended, then yeah that is bad.

If going in an entrance that does not have a doorman troubles you use the front entrance. You and your wife must not be from the NYC area. Do you think so many families would live here if it were not safe. By the way, the door is locked and the doorman at the front can see the entrace on the monitor.

I have been harressed in plenty of nice neighborhoods--construction is going on all over the place and the workers have been known to say a few choice things when woman pass. Also, there are projects and low income housing scattered all over different neighborhoods.

61st street and 11th avenue is a marginal neighborhood. Must be a cost decision. So if you don't like it then rent in a more established neighborhood.

'61st street and 11th avenue is a marginal neighborhood. Must be a cost decision. So if you don't like it then rent in a more established neighborhood."

Its actually not. Its almost enirely brand new luxury highrises with a few projects thrown in. Which makes it no different than West Chelsea, or Carnigie Hill and Yorkville.

Its a much more expensive area like-for-like then the above areas, in fact.

On the plus side, the nearby projects mean that the crack spot at the 10th avenue Boston Market is always staffed. So, crack is always available.

West of Columbus in that area has shady pockets and substantial housing projects but that should have been obvious to anyone doing a cursory visit to the properties in that area. Another reason that riverside development should get done; it will have a positive impact on safety and comfort of residents to the west of columbus.

Who cares about the projects??? I'm scared of the rats over there! Have any of you seen those monsters??

I am shaking my head at all these comments about the projects, and this block is safe, but the next one isn't... The false sense of security that a doorman gives you... THIS IS NEW YORK CITY. No matter where you are, you are not immune to the nonsense. Even in a more established neighborhood you still have to walk the streets, which are by the way, publicly available to ANYONE despite what "community" is near by. The cost of your flat, doesn't guarantee safety.

I am a tried and true, born and raised New Yorker. I will never drop my guard, no matter where I choose to live. I'm sorry to hear about your wife being harassed. But as a woman myself, smart decisions need to outweigh the fastest approach in this city. I agree with Shelby22... if that sense of security is what you need at this point today use the doorman entrance. Then leave when your lease is up.

Caveat Emptor folks
Before you buy or rent. If you don't know the neighborhood, visit it at several different times of the day and talk to neighborhood residents. Its hard to feel sorry for someone who did so little homework.

Walk/drive the full perimeter of the building and the neighboring blocks, day/night, workday/weekend. It is amazing how time of day will make or break a neighborhood.

I've lived in the building for two years and the only negative experience I had was when a guy outside of the projects offered me $20 for flowers that I was taking to my wife. Oh, and a guy who randomly said to me "don't look at me you f'in f*g". Look at the crime stats for the area, anything more than mild verbal harassment is rare. The building is decent, but some of the tenants with dogs are disrespectful to their neighbors. For example: more than once I've got on the elevator to find dog urine on the floor.

ok...i have recently seen a terrible rat problem. I'm moving!