I'm attending a jazz convention in manhattan the second week of january and I have never been to new york. Since this convention will be going all day and all night, I only need a bed, a shower, and a place to keep my things in the purest sense of the words. I'm frugal, and the best price I've found on a room was $60 at the Harlem YMCA (it's on 135th street). I've heard the 145th area is not too safe, and I do not know how far 135th is from 145th. My main concern is safety going from my room to the subway or wherever it is I will need to go to get back and forth to the New York Hilton (convention site). 1). How safe will I be at the YMCA in Harlem? 2). If not safe, are there any places safer in that price range? 3). If unsafe, please define specif dangers. Thanks for any help you can offer.

Hi Scoleo:
That YMCA is located right across the street from a police precinct. The area is a residential neighborhood and on either corner is a subway station. 145th Street is a bit busier with street traffic and people. I don't believe either area is unsafe. Just use your common sense like you would in an any other city or town. Enjoy your stay and welcome to NYC.
The MTA website www.mta.nyc.ny.usa has information and subway maps so you can get some ideas.

I agree with the previous respondent and would add that walking with a sense of self confidence, knowing where you're going, will benefit you in any city situation if walking through an unfamilar area, particularly at night. I'd suggest upping your budget by $25 per night and finding a hotel closer to or in midtown, one a with shared bath such as the Pickwick Arms, Murray Hill Inn or others. You should be able to get a room in one of these for $80-85 per night. I'm quite frugal myself but there's so much to do in the city that it's really worth the few extra bucks to stay closer to midtown. Not sure where your convention will be taking place but evening access to a good selection of jazz clubs, restaurant etc. will be much better in midtwon and you'll save time not taking the subway all the way up Harlem. Some are sure to disagree with me but when I visited NYC prior to living in the area I always appreciated being able to squeeze as much activity as possible into my available time. For me it's not a safety issue - I wouldn't stay down in the Wall Street area (if it was cheap, whcih it generally isn't) for the same reason - too far away from the activities I have an interest in.

Up for scoleo!

Another cheap option (maybe even cheaper than the Y) is Malibu Studios Hotel on Broadway at around 110th St. A block from a subway stop and near Columbia University. I know people who have stayed there and think it's fine. Shared bathrooms, no phones, and they don't supply towels. Check www.murrayhillinn.com for the Murray Hill Inn--sometimes they have discounts for a weeklong stay during the winter. Also a fine place where people I know have stayed; they do supply towels, as well as phones and cable TV in the room. If you want to look into hostels, check out www.hostels.com for listings (though info and prices not necessarily up-to-date).