Seeking Moms in Inwood/Wash. Heights - Is It Safe There???????

Hi E.,
If you are moving to Washington Heights or Indwood, the best areas are West of Broadway. In Washington Heights, Bennette Ave, Fort Washington and going West towards the River are good areas.
In Inwood, Seaman Ave from 207th Street to 218th Streets,Indian Road, Park South and East, and all of 218th Steet from Indian Road to Broadway are pretty areas.
Good luck!

Hm. Im assuming that by safe you mean less "crime", but also really mean that the kids hanging out on the corner who do not share your culture, language or skin color make you feel unsafe. As was said above, where you live kids get hurt and people get robbed AS MUCH AS a lower income neighborhood, we just dont hear it on the news as it would decrease property values. You can bet you will hear lots of good things about Inwood and the Heights now, as the city and private interests have ralized they can make money marketing it as a safe place to gentrify. If you are moving there, take a stroll. As was also said above, you will find yourself more comfortable west of Broadway, where there are more higher income people and more of them are white. However, the danger of a neighborhood like this is that often the people-community, the webs of knowing eachother that exist on blocks where families have lived for decades, is destroyed. If you are looking for a place where - if you can break out of your box a bit and talk to the other moms - there is a more settled community, where it looks like there are kids who feel safe playing outside, for example, regardless of the income level of those families you may find a kind of safety you could never find on the upper east side. As a native of 204th Street, I hope you and your husband can find the courage to do this.

I don't know much about the area, however I was at a barbeque recently with a woman who just moved to inwood. Her valid concern, which was not addressed by anyone below is the schools. She is currently sending her 4 yo to a pk that is 90% English Language Learners. So while she is happy with the diversity she does worry that her son's education might have been different had she sent him to a school where the population already speaks english. She is invested in the neighborhood and willing to give it a try, but you may have different school expectations that you want to consider. You daughter is still young so this is less of an issue for you right now. But you should consider that many living on the UES put up with less because they schools are much better.

Hi, I live in washington heights for 4.5 yrs now. I live on bennett in the 180s and it is very safe. The nicest area of the heights though is what we call upstairs- the Fort Washington, Pinehurst, and Cabrini St. its right next to Fort Tryon park and right on the Hudson. But i agree with the other people who commented which anything west of broadway is good. There are lots of children and parks. I wouldnt let my kids wander alone but i dont worry about them when they are with the babysitter and at night i dont worry about walking around to the supermarket or to the parking lot. My only thing is that stores dont stay open late except on 181st. So pharmacys close at 7 or 8 and grocery stores close around 9.

while i do not live in inwood/washington heights, i can assure you that there are mothers, children, families, etc. like you in that community who also want a safe and healthy place to live. go ahead and look around. do not let people discourage you. that is a great place to be and you could be moving in just in time before it becomes very expensive.

don't get dsicouraged if it does not remind you of the upper east side. sometimes the blocks are safer with these "guys" hanging on the corner at night than when it is all quiet and peaceful on the streets. go ahead and find a place and who knows? you could end up being a part of an active community group that has brought the kind of environment(safe streets, clean building, great schools, great parks, etc.) that even affluent neighbourhoods lack. and if there is no such group, maybe you could be a leader working for whatever change you would like to see. hey, you could be the next council person from up there!!!

oh by the way, there is a geat park/garden up there. i have forgotten the name. it is not the cloisters or wave hill; it is smaller but just as beautiful.i found it when i was parking my car to go to an event about 3 years ago.

inwood is great and has lots of energy. you will have fun. by the way, the affluent upper east side is not very safe. we just don't hear the police reports (not good for the image of he neighborhood)!so go out there and be open. you never know the blessings that await you.

good luck and let us know how it goes.

I have a friend who lives up there. She likes it and her building has lots of kids. The worst thing to happen to her was that once she forgot to lock her car door (it's a old car and one of the doors doesn't stay locked well) and a homeless person slept in her car that night and went through her stuff. But I think if you forget to lock your car and you park it on the street in any NY neighborhood, that may happen.

E., I am a mom of 3 and live in Rye, Westchester. LOVEEEE this area. I am also a realtor so if you are interested in moving up here, send me an email ____@____.com

Hi,

I lived in Inwood 211 street between Seaman and Indian road right on Inwood Park. The park is gorgeous and designed by the same person who designed Central Park. It was a great place quite and neighborhoodie with a diverse group of people. The only issue I ever had is the blasted A train took forever to get to 207th street. I walked the extra 3 blocks and took the 1 train.Definitly stroll the neighborhood in daytime and early evening if you have concerns. Good luck.
A. B