Is 102nd and Riverside Drive a safe neighborhood?
 

Hello:

We participate in a home exchange. A proposed exchange partner lives on Riverside Drive near 102nd street. Is this a safe area? As a woman traveling alone, would it be safe to walk around there at night? What type of neighborhood is this area?

Thanks.

It's the upper west side - which is all residential. that area is a mix of mid and upscale apartments, and co-ops - but if you head farther east you will run into some public housing projects. You're south of Columbia University and there are a ton of shops and restaurants along Broadway. IMHO the area is perfectly safe - although if you're not used to center cities there may be a few blocks you're not comfortable with. (But don;t tell that to the people who just bought a 1 bedroom for $700,000.

My daughter lived in off campus housing on 109th and Riverside. She walked from Columbia (116th & broadway)to home at all hours of the night. Its just a bit quiet on that side of Broadway.

There is a subway station on 103rd, so you would be able to walk the 2 blocks in about 5 minutes.

I don't know the area well enough to comment but I will say it's not what I'd consider the most convenient location. Do you know about maps.google.com? You can walk yourself around the blocks and see what it's like. I guess it depends on what other options (if any) you have. I have friends who live on 86th st. & Riversode and find it a real "trek" to get there. It's also quite windy in the winter. What time of year is this for?

There are many shops and restaurants on Broadway but the two blocks from Broadway to Riverside Drive are residential--no businesses. Rents are high in this area.

Yes - but Broadway cuts at an angle. At 102nd St from Riverside to Broadway is a much shorter 2 blocks than it is further downtown.

It's true you have to go to Broadway for the subway - but it's at 103rd (#1 local) - so a grand total of 3 blocks. And there are buses on Broadway if you prefer.