Columbia/Morningside

Higher beta investment. If the area gentrifies, prices should appreciate more rapidly than for established neighborhoods. See Tribeca, West Village, etc. under Guiliani.

If the market goes south, or NYC goes the way of Dinkins- well, that's the risk you took by buying there.

wow a doubly racist,
gentrifies=more white kids buying pot in the nabe
dinkins=black guy that didnt kiss wall st ass

fuck you

Wow, I'm glad to see that there are others who don't believe that guiliani was a saint and Dinkins was the devil. Personally, I am glad that neither is our mayor! Heaven help us though if guiliani becomes president...facisism would await!

Morningside Heights is a very stable neighborhood - good private schools, two local greenmarkets, access to three major parks, and safe due to the vigilance of the university. Anyone who thinks that this neighborhood hasn't yet been hit by gentrification or is somehow subject to the whims of they mayor or market has no idea what they're talking about. I bought here in 2000 and my apartment has more than doubled in value.

agree. people started buying in the area because upper westside got so expensive ( meaning 70s- 90s). so, it did start to gentrify during the estate boom. also, for the same price you definately get more space. if you don't mind the commute, it is worth looking into. but the better areas are still those closer to riverside rather than central park the further up you go.

Any former ghetto that now becomes gentrifies is subject to dislikes of the former tenants being priced out of their neighborhood. Im just wondering, where will all these people go when the entire market gets too expensive for the not-so rich to live. NYC is known for its diversity and I belive that we can use more affordable housing. Inclusionary zoning and the 80/20 is just not enough!

It's a great neighborhood, whether you're new to it, or have been there for years. Yes, it's changing, as all NYC hoods do. It was once considered expensive, then "not so much", and now it's rising again. This has been the case for almost every area of the city at one point or another.

Anyway, it's a great neighborhood. Very few have two great parks!

I grew up on 87th and west end, at the time it was a slum. Makes high 90's look like 3rd ave now. I just bought up there(99th), and believe this is, and will be a great area for appreciation. Lots of prewar buildings and parks, easy access to westside hwy and an improved subway at 96st. MORE POLICE per capita then most of New york do to Columbia U. The fact is that the high 90's low 100's is a great location and place to raise a familly.

We just bought at 100th and Riverside/WEA and love it. When we lived on 77th and Bway a few years ago we did not even consider moving up that high and that turned out to be a big mistake (had we made the jump 3 years ago we would have paid about 30-40% less for the place). Tons of families and there are few, if any places in Manhattan where you can be less than 20 minutes from two huge parks - Central and Riverside. The streets are not as clean and pretty as the 70's and 80's, but I'm guessing that will change. More diversity also makes it better in my view.

Purchasing in this area is a no-brainer. As some have mentioned in earlier posts, the gentrification process was started many years ago in this neighborhood. The value of properties purchased in this area has almost tripled since the late 90's. The neighborhood is incredibly safe and a perfect place for young families. Around the Columbia University area there are various security measures that help to make the area incredibly safe: 1) NYC police patrols, 2) Columbia University patrol cars & security on corners, 3) Morningside Garden's patrol. The private schools (Cathedral, Riverside Church, Bank Street, etc.) are excellent. There is a burgeoning restaurant row (along B'way and some along Amsterdam). The train stations are safe at all times of day/night.

Additionally, there are clear signs of future gentrification. The Harlem Piers are being built on 125th street, there is a swanky Citerella on 125th street and Columbia University has purchased and will begin development of expanding the campus between 125th-135th street.

This area is a great buy!