Alphabet City - safe?
 

My boyfriend and I are in our mid-twenties and taking our first trip to NYC this November. I'm trying to decide where to stay and have 3 options in our price range.

First is in Chelsea (Chelsea Lodge, private bathroom), second is East Village (Second Home on Second Street, between 13th and 14th, shared bathroom) and the third is classed as East Village but is really in Alphabet City (East Village Bed and Coffee on Avenue C, shared bathroom).

All 3 places have had great independent reviews but I'm most tempted to book into East Village Bed and Coffee as the rooms look nicest and friends have recommended the East Village.

However, I've just spent my lunch hour reading various travel guides and even ones published this year are saying Alphabet City is still dodgy so now I don't know what to do! Also, is it a good place to be to explore the rest of NYC as I've noticed there isn't a subway station particularly close by. Would Chelsea be a better bet for two NYC virgins?! Or should I go with Second Home in East Village but away from Alphabet City?

Any help would be much appreciated, I just don't want to end up somewhere where I feel unsafe.

If those are your options, you'd be much better-off taking your chances with Priceilne, where you can get 3* hotels for $75, sometimes less, and at least choose a nice part of the city to be in! Read up about it at www.biddingfortravel.com

While it is not the nicest area, I think it is safe. However, it is pretty incovenient... it's way east of everything and a long walk to the subway. I would go with either Second Home (I think you mean 2nd Ave) or Chelsea Lodge. Both would be much more convenient to the subway.

I guess you are English or European?

Alphabet City is kinda cool but for your first time in NYC (given those options) I would stay in the East Village or Chelsea due to them just being more convenient neighbourhoods from a NYC virgin's tourist point of view.

Alphabet City still has a bit of a rep but it is fine essentially and has been for several years now.

You have to go north of Central Park or to some of the other NYC boroughs to find really dodgy places these days.

Alphabet City isn't horrible, but, as indicated, it does have a few areas that can be a bit daunting.

The real downside is the fact that it really isn't that close to the major North/South subway lines. Even to the nearest station, which I think is on 2nd Avenue and the F line, can be a good 10, minute walk, even if you are close to Houston Street.

Of course, if you plan on taking cabs most of the time, it really won't matter.

Thank you for the fast responses so far. Yes, I am English! I really like the sound of East Village from what I've read on this site and elsewhere. I'd love as many opinions as possible as I'm so excited about my trip already. Any more advice?

Have you checked the Larchmont hotel. It gets excellent reviews and is in a great village location (on a very nice residential street in the heart of the village). It aklso has shared baths and I beleive includes a continental breakfast. Check it in the Rants and Raves section.

I don't know what your budget is, put we just booked a room at the Shelburne Suites hotel on priceline fo $105. It's a very highly recommended midtown south 3* hotel.

I believe there is also Howard Johnsons in the E. Village that is supposed to be nice.

Overal the E. VIllage is a decent neighborhood but I think the Ave. C. location is a bit far East.

The only area of Alphabet City that I believe is not good for visitors after dark is Tompkins Square Park. A couple of my female friends had an incident there a few months ago with a crazy homeless guy. Otherwise, yes it's bohemian, yes it's often seedy, yes it's alot of fun.

Okay, I'm thinking of going for the place on 2nd Avenue but have just found out it's above Gemini Lounge (a bar open until 4am) and a place called Body Evolution (gym?). Do you think it will be a really noisy place to stay? Also, the owners have said it is a more touristy area than the place on Avenue C (which they also own).

Rachelb, neither area is "touristy" by any stretch, unless you consider other New Yorkers tourists. The Ave C area is simply more isolated and residential, so fewer New Yorkers go there. The 2nd Ave location is a busy commercial area with zillions of bars and restaurants etc, hence more people walking around 24/7.

Years ago (like 20 years ago) Alphabet City was really dangerous but now it's much better to the point where it's perfectly fine. There's plenty of little shops and funky restaurants around to please anyone. My main problem with the area is cleanliness -- it's not the cleanest place in the world. I agree that you should check out priceline and see what sites like expedia or hotels.com have to offer, stay more centrally located and take the subway to the East Village all you want. Hotels in NY aren't as expensive as you might think. Check out Best Western President on 48th Street, a nice place that may go for less than $100 a night.

P.S. If you're into music make sure you check out CBGB when you're here. You don't necessarily have to see a band, you can go by during the day and ask whoever's at the door if you can "look around".