Is Harlem a good location for 3rd timers?
Jan 6th, 2011, 10:07 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,187
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is Harlem a good location for 3rd timers?
Hi all, DD has got a great fare from London to NYC in March I believe. She has been twice before with us (her family) but now she is living in London for 2 years and will use the opportunity to take her BF to NYC.
We have pretty much always stayed around the Murray Hill area and DH & I stayed near the UN last time. But they are very savvy with public transport and would like to experience a different part of NYC.
She has found this apartment, love to hear any feed back. http://www.flipkey.com/properties/vi...n+a+townhouse/
Thanks as always AD
We have pretty much always stayed around the Murray Hill area and DH & I stayed near the UN last time. But they are very savvy with public transport and would like to experience a different part of NYC.
She has found this apartment, love to hear any feed back. http://www.flipkey.com/properties/vi...n+a+townhouse/
Thanks as always AD
Jan 7th, 2011, 02:05 AM
#2
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's not clear if this apartment is legal or not - very few are - only if the private owner of the building is renting out an apartment. Any other short-term apt rental is illegal.
I wouldn;t choose Harlem since it's just too far from almost everything they will want to see and do. They might consider the upper west side - so they can easily walk to some sights and grtab 1 of the 2 subway lines to other. This is a much more established neighborhood and I wouldn't hesitate to take the subway home late at night (would in some areas of Harlem).
They might look at the Beacon or the Newton for reasonably priced hotels. (Again, finding a legal apt is extremely difficult.)
I wouldn;t choose Harlem since it's just too far from almost everything they will want to see and do. They might consider the upper west side - so they can easily walk to some sights and grtab 1 of the 2 subway lines to other. This is a much more established neighborhood and I wouldn't hesitate to take the subway home late at night (would in some areas of Harlem).
They might look at the Beacon or the Newton for reasonably priced hotels. (Again, finding a legal apt is extremely difficult.)
Jan 7th, 2011, 06:11 AM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,880
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Looks like this is a condo and the new rules don't go into effect until the spring. It also depends on exactly WHERE in Harlem it is located. I live in Hamilton Heights, which is just north of Harlem and there are some areas that I don't feel comfortable in during the day, so nite time would not even condisder walking there. Also it depends on how close to the subway the house is located.
I'd also suggest that the Upper West Side is a MUCH better idea as there are lots of reasonable hotels and TONS of great restaurants. The UWS is a residental area and close to 2 major subway lines and lots of sites to see are walkable or a short subway ride away.
I think if you come up and visit Harlem you will be happy that you stayed in another area.
I'd also suggest that the Upper West Side is a MUCH better idea as there are lots of reasonable hotels and TONS of great restaurants. The UWS is a residental area and close to 2 major subway lines and lots of sites to see are walkable or a short subway ride away.
I think if you come up and visit Harlem you will be happy that you stayed in another area.
Jan 7th, 2011, 06:53 AM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree with NYT and Tbuff -- Upper West Side is far better than Harlem because there are no dicey areas and it's closer to the main attractions. You could also stay in Brooklyn Heights and be minutes from midtown.
Jan 7th, 2011, 10:00 AM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,876
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Where is she going to spend the most time--especially if BF hasn't been to NYC. Even midtown areas are not all the same (where she has stayed before). I have lived on the UWS (and VERY close to Harlem) and it has been a while, but it is still a "hike" to midtown and a lot of the sights.
Jan 8th, 2011, 05:14 AM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,715
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are better places for them to be located and not worry about scams or possible illegal apt. rentals. Travelzoo.com and Travel-ticker.com run hotel sales. Quikbook.com has some good secret sales similar to Hotwire where you're told the area and the star level of the hotel but not the name until after you book. If they want a small kitchen, there are loads of suite hotels and b & b's that offer that. west-eleventh.com in the village is one idea.
Jan 8th, 2011, 05:30 AM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi,
It is nice that you are coming to New York and are considering of staying in Harlem. Harlem is like another neighborhood in the city, it is only 10 minutes from midtown and has the best transportation for moving around the city. If you really want a nice variety of places to stay checkout www.newyork50.com. The have wonderful B&B in the city. When one travels to another place they should be careful. Harlem is just as safe any another neighborhood that you would take in.
It is nice that you are coming to New York and are considering of staying in Harlem. Harlem is like another neighborhood in the city, it is only 10 minutes from midtown and has the best transportation for moving around the city. If you really want a nice variety of places to stay checkout www.newyork50.com. The have wonderful B&B in the city. When one travels to another place they should be careful. Harlem is just as safe any another neighborhood that you would take in.
Jan 8th, 2011, 06:11 AM
#11
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry - Harlem is NOT 10 minutes to midtown unless you actually live in an express subway station. And while many areas are fine, there are others where walking home from the subway at night is not recommended. Agree that the area has gentrified over the past 8 or 10 years - but it still has issues in some neighborhoods. (And I should understand - I bought an apartment on the upper west side when there were still drug dealers on each corner late at night - although by 10 years later that had completely changed. But a resident knows all the ins and outs - correct times and places - a visitor doesn;t).
Jan 8th, 2011, 08:58 AM
#12
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,880
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree, Harlem would not be for the faint of heart, and since I have clients in Harlem, I am there on almost a daily basis.
Some parts of Harlem, heck some parts of Manhattan at night are still not all that safe. There are random shootings on 125th street almost monthly and that is supposed to be one of the most heavily populated areas of the city, and things still happen.
You have less likelhood of running into problems staying on the UWS, UES, Midtown, Downtown. If you are visiting why put yourself in an uncomfortable position at the start.
Some parts of Harlem, heck some parts of Manhattan at night are still not all that safe. There are random shootings on 125th street almost monthly and that is supposed to be one of the most heavily populated areas of the city, and things still happen.
You have less likelhood of running into problems staying on the UWS, UES, Midtown, Downtown. If you are visiting why put yourself in an uncomfortable position at the start.
