My wife and I are planning our first trip to the Big Apple (from Oz). We have the opportunity of staying in Hamilton Terrace, near 145th street. How safe is this area at any time, but especially after dark?

We will be arriving at JFK airport. I notice that the Line 'A' goes from Howard Beach/JFK Airport, direct to 145 Street/Saint Nicholas Avenue. Is that the way to get to our destination with a suitcase each, or is it better to catch a cab?

Any advice for a not-very-well-travelled 56-year-old would be gratefully received.

You'll get more informed answers on this, but I've heard that you don't really want to stay north of 110th Street if you're concerned about safety.

I patently disagree with the previous posting. We're talking about New York City here, there's a "safety" risk anywhere you go. I would really love for the previous poster to "go there" and say exactly why he thinks Uptown is somehow more dangerous.

Scott: If I were you I would make sure to get very good directions where you're staying and make sure they know what time you're expected. If you are lugging bags and it's your first time in the city AND it's late you might want to consider cabbing it. There is a set price into the city. Have fun in New York.

Scott: While I think the advice not to stay anywhere above 110th Street was a little excessive (e.g. the area around Columbia on the west side above 110th is pretty safe for the most part), I do feel that it can get pretty dicey after dark above around W. 125th Street or so (and below that on the east side). There are some wonderful places to eat and things to see and do in that part of the city, but I personally would NOT feel safe after dark around 145th Street and would not stay there. While Sabrina points out that there are safety risks wherever you go, yes of course that is true, but those risks are higher in some places than they are in others. You would be well-advised to stay somewhere else, especially since this is your first time in the city and you're coming such a long way! Plus this area is not very convenient to many of the major sights in the city.
Figure out what you want to do while you're in New York and try to stay in areas convenient to that. E.g. since I like to go to the theater, I tend to stay in the theater district/midtown (W. 40s-50s) so I can walk back to my hotel when the play lets out. While midtown hotels can be pricey, there are some budget options and I am saving money I would otherwise spend on cab fare to and from the theater.

My suggestion is that you try to find accommodations in more centrally located areas of the city, which also happens to be where you find more hotels. Since you admit to not being well-travelled, why don't you stay in hotels that are in more constantly populated and busy areas near tourist attractions, and if you choose to venture off the beaten path then go during the day.

Sabrina,

What does "we're talking about New York City here, there's a safety risk anywhere you go" mean? While NYC is a big city, it is much safer than many other cities. There is a safety risk when you leave your home, for that matter when you stay at home. Scott, I'd advise to stay in midtown somewhere, it is more convenient and closer to everywhere you want to be.

I think Scott ought to make up his own mind. Carefully consider what you're hearing and the motivation behind the words.

Scott, I attended the City University of New York, City College campus (CCNY) which runs along Hamilton Terrace between 130th and 140th streets. During scheduled school days the area was full of students diverse in ethnic backgrounds either walking up from the 125th street A train stop to attend a class on the south part of the campus, or walking down from 145th street A train station to attend classes in the North part of the campus. At that time it was safe, and the brownstones were very well kept. (several movies, tv shows and commercials were filmed there, Woody Allen etc.)
If you have the opportunity to stay free in Manhattan, the train runs express 145th st. then 125th st. then 59th st. it will take 20 minutes to get to midtown. It has been quite a while since I graduated, you may get more up to date information if you find a CCNY forum with active students doing this walk on a daily basis. Hope this helps give you an idea of the neighborhood.

I would not stay on 145th street especially if you are not "city saavy". Staying midtown makes much more sense. you'll be able to walk to many of the places you want to go and it is safe at night. There really are not too many tourist sights "uptown." Taking the subway during the day is no problem and in the evening there are off-hours waiting areas which I suggest you utilize.

As I stated before taking the subways are fine and a very reasonable/reliable way to get around town but i wou;d not reccommend taking the subway from JFK with luggage. There are medalion taxi stops outside each terminal at JFK and it is a flat $30 to any point in Manhattan for up to 4 people. The "A" train route is not that convenient. You first must lug all your stuff on a bus to get to the train, than up a few flight of steps to the elevated train (most of these stations do not have elevators/escalators). Hope this helps - have a wonderful trip.

Scott, you don't say what you want to see and do while you're in New York, but I have to agree with most of the others. You are considerably north of the midtown area. Personally I would stay in midtown or the upper west side. Depending on when you are visiting, the hotel rates fluctuate. We are visiting again in December and by making our trip one week later than we had planned, we are saving over $100. per night at the same hotel in midtown. Have a great trip.

I'm going to have to disagree -- again -- with the previous post that says there are not many "tourist sites" uptown. Illustrates some pretty narrow thinking. Sylvia's Soul Food restaurant is a not-to-be-missed place, not to mention historic 125th Street with the Studio Museum of Harlem and the Apollo Theater. That's just to name a few. There are plenty of wonderful places in mid-town as well, obviously. All I'm saying is that if that's where Scott is staying, don't discourage or disparage what IS worthy of seeing uptown.

I doubt that on his first trip to NYC, that Sylvia's Soul Food Restaurant and the Apollo Theatre would be high on his list of things to see.

Why would anyone flying in from Australia come all that way on a first trip to NYC and not stay in midtown? I would strongly recommend staying in the area bounded by 42nd and 59th Streets, 3rd Avenue to 8th Avenue. This allows easy access to the major tourist attractions and a short jaunt to the downtown and upper eastside and westside highlights.

Although the city is much safer than it was in the past, as with any city, it is far safer in well populated sections. Having said that, stick to the areas generally frequented by tourists, particularly first time tourists, and that is generally below 96th Street in Manhattan.

Sabrina: there is no motivation behind anyone's words--we're just answering the question, and you seem to be looking for an argument. A first trip to NYC (from Oz yet), it seems to me, should concentrate on midtown and all those things that "are NYC." My husband and I have made many many trips to NYC, and it's only now that we are getting to see what you describe (and more). This first trip may be Scott's last; he should concentrate on midtown, the museums, Soho, etc.

Thanks, Sally, for proving my point exactly.

Well, Scott. You've gotten a cyber earful. Let us know how it turns out.

Sabrina: I have been to Sylvia's and it is great. And I agree there are things to see and do in that part of the city. But you must admit, 145th Street isn't centrally located! The point is, if someone stays in midtown or even the upper west side, then they can take the subway uptown to see stuff there, as well as downtown. On a first trip to NYC, most people want to hit the major tourist spots -- Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Central Park, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Empire State Building, Broadway, etc., and see some of the city's more famous neighborhoods, including Chinatown, Little Italy, the Village, and Harlem. Safety aside, I wouldn't tell anyone to stay at either the northern end or the southern end of Manhattan -- it just doesn't make sense geographically. Better to stay in the middle so you're more centrally located and nothing takes so long to get to.

Perhaps, the best help anyone could give Scott at this point is the names of some websites that would help him find some reasonably priced hotels in the midtown area and/or the names of some hotels that fill the bill.
Being a New Yorker, I've not availed myself of these websites or hotels. Now that everyone has given his/her opinion on what area to stay and not to stay in, perhaps some of you out there could provide some concrete specifics to Scott.

www.lasvegasroomfinders.com/newyork
www.180096hotel.com
www.quikbook.com
www.cheapesthotels.com
www.express-res.com/

Scott, Don't let anybody fool you. The area you're staying in is not good for a tourist. Before everybody attacks me,
let me say this. There are no tourists, particularly after dark, in the 145th street area. While Harlem has made great strides over the last few years, it remains a neighborhood with a lot of very sketchy areas. Harlem is best seen during a weekend afternoon walk, there are many places there that are quite interesting. However as a local resident, I'll have to say that as a place to stay in NYC, it would at the bottom of my list. Midtown is the best area to stay in ; you might also want to look at downtown hotels, or if you are looking for a cheaper option, some of the downtown Brooklyn hotels (Marriott, etc.). Enjoy your visit.

My husband and I "weekend" in NYC frequently and cannot even imagine sleeping around 145th street! You'd be better off staying in New Jersey or CT and commuting - not that I'd recommend this, but it would certainly be a much, much safer alternative. You really should reconsider and find a hotel in your price range (or even a bit beyond) in Mid-town or there-abouts! Staying near 145th street is NOT an "opportunity". Are you using a Travel Agent? If so, not everything is as convenient or whatever as it may appear on a map!