Park West Village

It wouldn't be my first choice for UWS evening strolls.

They used to be value priced, long after Lincoln Towers became more expensive, and their advantage was access to Central Park, and in some cases park or park like views. The new development happening in the area may be transformative with the nation's largest Whole Foods anticipated in 2009. They are looking at doing a major upgrade to at least one of those buildings--new windows etc--a project being resisted by a resident group due to expense. The owned units are condo, which may be a plus compared to Lincoln Towers values, but I would use those apartments as comps due to their comparable aesthetic, layout and age.

google "park west village nyc" for research...

PMG...any reason why the apartments are much more expensive than lincoln towers...is it because they're condos..their studios are much more expensive than lincoln towers.

Gotta agree with UWSMOM (mom always knows best!) Definitely a little sketchy above 96. That said, I work with a girl who lives at 110 and CPW and she has never had a problem. She is in a rent controlled unit however which makes just about any neighborhood tolerable. I would say you would be better served to search below 86th if you like the UWS, and below 96 on the UES.

uwsmom, aren't you the one who requires a servant-like doorman who's obligated to watch over your children and nanny? Probably your definition of normal neighborhood is as different form others' as your definition of a doorman does.
SometimesinNY, on the UWS above 96th, it becomes spotty after W 110.
julia, that's exactly the reason of the apts being more expensive than Lincoln Towers: LT are in the ugliest and remote area of the UWS. CPW is CPW, and the park is the park.

Sorry, messed up my grammar...

It's a safe area, it just appears a little bleak-ish. There is a lot of construction - I think it will be an improvement when it's finished, but see

http://www.preservewpn.org/2008/12/sidewalks-of-columbus-ave.html

There's a police precinct and fire house on 100th, (lots of officially parked vehicles on the very wide street) as well as a branch of the public library. There is a farmer's market on 97th bet col - amst on Friday mornings.

Funny, my rule of thumb was always east side below 86 west side below 96. The reason being that the west side border is soft, particularly close to the parks or west end avenue. Parts of the west side are nice, as osiris says, up to 110th Street. On the east side, 96th is a hard boarder, where it get intolerably bleak to the north and it feels unsafe waiting for a bus near 1st ave.

I have no problems on the West side up to about 125th, and possibly higher but I haven't spent enough time exploring. PMG is correct about the "soft" and "hard" border issue. I am quite game, but I would be hard pressed to consider the east side above 95th. With the exception of certain blocks, the numbers of which are rapidly declining, the border on the west side has been blurring remarkably.

I have a daughter,and had absolutely no problems considering Central Harlem.

Personally, as a woman, I feel totally safe in the southern part of that complex and less so on the northernmost part. It does get bleak up there at night, and summer brings out a lot of guys hanging together, which can sometimes lead to unpleasant commentary. It's only three blocks, but it makes a big difference, IMO, and I'm a huge cheerleader for the UWS 90s. I love the greenmarket, CP is less touristy up there and more like a backyard for the residents, there is great Indian food, several health food stores, and Columbus Wines (while not a great as Gotham on 94th and Bway) is super helpful and friendly.

Since everyone's comfort level is different, you may want to go up there some Friday and/or Sunday evening and see what you think.

LOL osiris - servant-like doorman and nanny aren't my style. I'm a stay at home mom and live in a brownstone.

better luck next time :)