112th Street in NYC?
 

My husband and I are visiting New York for the first time in January and are thinking about staying in a guesthouse on East 112th Steet? What is everyone's thoughts as far as safety? Is this a good neighborhood to be staying in? I have absolutely no idea so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Kristin

Kristen, East 112th has just crossed over the Upper East Side into Harlem. Harlem is so gentrified these days, it wouldn't bother me at all to stay there.

However, the location is inconvenient for Midtown sightseeing unless this is a museum trip. The location is excellent for museums.

I think of E 112th St as Spanish Harlem, and parts of it are iffy. There are some large public housing projects in the general area which don't add to the neighborhood ambiance. It's not a stroll-around neighborhood at night, at least I wouldn't. I couldn't speak to 112 St specifically not knowing which block you'd be on, (for example further west nearer 5th Ave might be quite nice) but I wouldn't recommend it to friends or family as a preferred location.

Let us know the exact address. This is a largely Puerto Rican area of the city. I think it would be fine to stay there, and also interesting. Yet not in the thick of tourist sights, as you already know.

I would have no safety concerns. However there isn't much to see there. There's a subway line nearby, but moving around will still be a pain. It can take you 20-25 minutes to get from 110th to Grand Central, for instance.

If this is your first time in NY, I would advise you to stay elsewhere, like in Midtown.

Thanks for the replies so far! The exact address is 128 E 112 Street. The place is called Virginia's Guest House. We don't mind riding the subways as we have a good bit of experience with those, so I was thinking that the distance away from tourist sites wouldn't be such a big deal. Let me know what you guys think!

Just my .02... 112 St.E -- not so good. 112 St.W -- just fine. I would definitely try to find other accommodations.

i suggest staying elsewhere, like in midtown. i always get a good rate (less than $200 a night) at the u.n millenium plaza, and the marriot hotel in the financial district on west street. if money is a factor, i always suggest cutting the trip 1 night, even 1 night helps. if you are looking to save $, new york is not the place to take a vacation! ;-)

This neighborhood is basically safe and in the proces of gentrifying - but there are still specific spots that are not very pleasant. Additionally - you are not near very many things you want to see - making for fairly long subway trips.

Since Feb is one of the least expensive times in NYC I would go for someplace (even if you use Priceline) closer to more you want to see/do. If you don;t want to do the ghastly Times Square or the typical midtown - you would find either the upper west side, the village or the financial district a little different, more convenient and with more services/restaurants.

New York is one of the safest cities in the USA, crime can happen on Park Avenue in the East 70s as well as Park Avenue and 112th Street. However, that area is not great, and the elevated railroad tracks are not far away, and I wouldn't find myself walking in that neighborhood at night. There is also the convenience issue, but that's less of a deal breaker for a good price. I'm sure you got a great price deal, but for first-time visitors I'd suggest looking elsewhere. If you say what your budget range is, maybe other suggestions can be made.

Kristin: I just googled Virginia's Guesthouse and it comes back as a hostel with shared bath or shower. It looks very basic and accepts only cash or traveler's checks. Have you looked at the reviews on www.hostelsclub.com?

I agree with others who suggest you stay elsewhere. Come back and give us more information as to how much you would like to budget and you will get a lot of suggestions from this board. How long will you stay in NYC, what are your interests etc.

I am curious you stated you are used to the subway so where are you coming from?

Good luck - New York city is the best.

Sandy

Virginia's Guest House is considered more a hostel than a b & b or hotel. IMO, there is NO reason to stay there. It's not convenient or charming. If you tell us what your budget and needs are, we can recommend some other options.

If you want a hostel with private rooms, look on hostelz.com (this place should be rated there as well). If you're young and looking for inexpensive and funky, look downtown at places like Second home on Second, Bed and Coffee. If you want a more charming guest house, look at Abingdon Guest House in the village. REPEAT, no reason on earth to stay on east 112 st.

It's more $ than Virginia's but also check prices at the Union Square Inn.
No elevator, but very nice location, rooms small but clean.

"REPEAT, no reason on earth to stay on east 112 st."

Well, maybe not for you. But if you want to be close to African American history, close to the park, somewhere cheap.

I don't agree that African-American history, (or Hispanic history, for that matter) has much to do with 112th Street between Park and Lexington Avenues. The heart of historic Harlem, an area that is mostly pleasant, with wide avenues, many many charming blocks,beautifully-dressed families going to church on Sundays, and still-standing historic landmarks, is much farther west and north.

Well, it is East Harlem. Given the lack of hotels in and around Harlem, it's not a bad location.

Hostels are not really that big of an issue for us. The neighborhood that the hostel/hotel/guesthouse is in is really what we are worried about. We are not afraid of roughing it, but we do want to be safe.

For the person who asked, last summer, we spent three weeks in Moscow and rode the subways there multiple times per day so we have some experience riding the subway in big cities.

Kristin

And we are college students and on somewhat of a limited budget. Thanks for all of the replies!

Kristin

Many people have suggested that you not stay in this area. You have been given many other options as well as people offering to help you find better accomodations. You asked for their advice, and are not even considering it. While Harlem is becoming more gentrified, it is still not an ideal location especially on the East side. Also, it is inconvenient for tourists, as it is not at all centrally located. I recommend you find some place else.

Why do you think they aren't considering it? They asked a question, said they didn't have the same needs as many tourists, and got their question answered. Seems like they got the feedback the were looking for.