Washington Heights Manhattan Neighborhood Guide

There is a lot to see and do in Washington Heights and Inwood but not a lot of resources.  As rents climb in Manhattan and around New York, people are often looking for a neighborhood that is close to Midtown and the southern areas of Manhattan and has a lot of amenities.  Many people do not consider going above 110th street in the Upper West side, however, many may not be aware that there are some gems if you move north in the city.  Washington Heights and Inwood are both great neighborhoods.  This area is home to Yeshiva University and Columbia Hospital.  If you are new to the city and want to find a place for a good price, consider looking in Upper Manhattan. 

This area of the city is more hilly than other areas, which makes for some interesting views and varied topography.  Further, the hills make for great outdoor spaces.  Many of Inwood and Washington Height's parks are built on and around hills. 

In the coming weeks I will be posting information about moving to Upper Manhattan.  I will also provide information on where to look for a place and how safe the neighborhoods are.  Having spent some time living in this area, I must say that I am happy with it. 

Amenities

Beautiful Parks and Outdoor Spaces:  Inwood is home to Fort Tyron Park, which is a gorgeous park.  Fort Tyron Park is home to the Cloisters, a branch of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.  The Cloisters itself is a beautiful building in the center of the park, overlooking the Hudson River.  During the early fall, this park is home to a rather large renaissance fair.  Other invents happen yearly in the park, including seasonal festivals and outings and hikes through the New York City parks department. 

Inwood Hill Park is just north of Fort Tyron Park and should not be missed.  There is a great amount of hiking trails in the park, as well as a nature center with a recreation of a wigwam.  Inside one can learn about the various animals that inhabit the marsh area and the cove.  There are an array of recreational areas in the park, including tennis courts, baseball diamonds, and soccer fields. 

Another fine park in the area is the Highbridge Park.  This park is home to one of the city's largest outdoor pools.  The park flanks the west side of Manhattan, and is loaded with mountain bike trails, paths, and amazing views of The Bronx and Queens. 

The Inwood Canoe Club is another perk to living in the neighborhood.  The canoe club has an open house on the weekends in which one can take a canoe out onto the river for a couple of hours.  It is located on the Hudson River Greenway, which is a beautiful area that is great for a picnic or an evening stroll along the river.  If you are into recreational activities such as biking or jogging, few places in the city can match the Hudson River Greenway.

If you are into parks and nature, this area of the city is one of the best.





Food

While Washington Heights and Inwood are not known as the best places in the city to find find, there are some great places around.  If you are into Central American cuisine, including Dominican cuisine, you will probably find no better place in the city. 

There are a few farmer's markets in Upper Manhattan that are of note.  The 175th Street Greenmarket is a wonderful place to buy produce and baked goods.  On the weekends, there is another farmer's market in Inwood.  The area is home to many small grocery stores as well as a very popular Jewish felafel restaurant, Golan Heights.   If you are a vegetarian you will be able to find many options, from inexpensive pizza restaurants to empanada stands.

Further, if you are interested in Russian cuisine or Russian baked goods, Moscow on the Hudson on 181st street is a great place to get quality groceries.  More grocery stores and food stores are coming all the time.  Currently there is talk of a new Whole Foods opening up just south in Harlem.  As people continue making their way north to escape the high prices of lower Manhattan, new amenities will continue to enter the neighborhood. 

The Cloisters, Fort Tyron Park.

Transportation

The A express train will get you to Midtown in about 20 minutes.  The C and the 1 are also available if you are going to the Upper West Side.  Each one of these trains serves the neighborhood well. 

The George Washington Bus Terminal will get you into New Jersey and points North.  If you are looking to take the Metro North Railway, a short train south to 125th street will get you to the nearest station.

Safety and CrimeThis area of the city has been often reputed to be a dangerous area.  However, I have never felt unsafe in the neighborhoods that comprise Upper Manhattan.  Crimes do happen, but you are unlikely to see more crime here than in other parts of New York or in other major cities.



Hipsters?Hipsters need a place to live too.  At least that's why they say.  Although you won't find the same sheer numbers in Washington Heights as in Williamsburg or the East Village, chances are you will run into them now and again in this area of Upper Manhattan.   

On that topic, one individual had the following to say about Washington Heights:

"Hipsters. Everywhere. They’re slowly but surely creeping in. Less so than in Inwood, which is also changing quickly, but it seems like once word gets out that rent is cheap, that’s where they’ll flock to. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of the young folks I’ve met around here are generally nice and well intentioned, but it’s a strange feeling when you’ve been living here your whole life."

If you have lived or currently live in this part of Upper Manhattan, please post your comments in the field below.