Does anyone live around West 108th? (between Broadway & Amsterdam)?
by admin on Jul.24, 2010, under New York City
eannealexander asked:
I’m looking at an apartment over there and was just wondering what that area is like? I don’t want to go too high up into West or East Harlem and I commute to midtown. Any input is appreciated!
Lillian
I’m looking at an apartment over there and was just wondering what that area is like? I don’t want to go too high up into West or East Harlem and I commute to midtown. Any input is appreciated!
Lillian
July 25th, 2010 on 5:27 pm
Lewis
i live on RSD in the low 100’s, so i know the block you’re talking about.
generally speaking, the West 108th block and the neighborhood are just fine, but the aesthetic (if you care about that!) gets noticeably “downscale” from halfway down the block towards Amsterdam, particularly on the other side of the school, which is in the middle of the block. closer towards Broadway there are 3 coop buildings on the north side that are well kept. on the south side of that part of the block are an animal hospital and a lumber yard. on the Amsterdam side of West 108th the buildings are the typical low rise, nothing special, tenement like buildings that are a little run down. on the southwest corner of West 108th and Amsterdam there is a tall doorman apt building that is otherwise out of place in the neighborhood.
but suffice it to say that the neighborhood as a whole has become very upscale in the past 10-20 years, and i would definitely consider living there. (btw, the area north of West 110th is called “Morningside Heights”, and West 108th i would consider to be the far reaches of the Upper West Side. West Harlem doesn’t begin until at least past West 125th Street.) Broadway itself has fine dining and grocery shopping, and is quite polished up. you would be less that 1/2 mile south of Columbia University, and there is a heavy influence of their students and faculty there. Columbia has built several new residential and otherwise buildings followed by a pricey new condo right on West 110th and Broadway. Even if you now go to Amsterdam below 110th to 106th, more “upscale” stores and restaurants are displacing the longtime Hispanic character of the neighborhood, for better or worse. you can eat Thai, Mexican, Ethiopian and BBQ within 2 blocks. good luck, and if you do move there, i’d be happy to point out some more places that are neighborhood institutions and favorites.
and don’t forget, the #1 subway train is right at West 110th and Broadway…