<p>So I'm living off campus, relatively close to campus (south of 130th street, north of 120th) and not too far east (probably 15-20 minute walk to campus). Are there any areas any of you experienced harlemities would recommend avoiding, especially for a girl? Thanks!</p>
<p>I was driving around the whole area this weekend. I also accidentally took the 3 train to 116th on the other side of harlem instead of 116th and broadway! And I was never more terrified in my life. I think I will wait and see if Columbia housing services offers me anything or lack thereof. I am already apartment hunting, and I actually found a few good places in Clinton, but I will only move there if I cant get Columbia Housing, which is likely. I dont want to sublet because it already feels weird living with other strangers who arent focused on school. Ideally, I will be looking for potential Columbia roomies at school and try to get a place in Clinton, Hells Kitchen or the West Side near Riverside Boulvd with other interested Columbia GSers who I can peacefully socialize with.</p>
<p>All of my friends live on 122st in between Claremont Ave. (where I live, and one street east of riverside dr.) and Morningside Dr. </p>
<p>I would recommend, if you don’t get Columbia housing (which I think you will), living walking distance from school. Your pretty much safe on the west side up to 125 st.</p>
<p>TSAR where would you define the perimeter between West and East side?</p>
<p>Random, you should visit the Bronx, THAT’s terrifying ;)</p>
<p>For most CU students, the west-east boundaries, respectively, are from Riverside Dr. (the Hudson River) to Morningside Dr. In all honesty, you’ll be fine where you are. Initially, I would have stayed away from Lenox, but it’s not so bad. Just be cognizant of your surroundings and don’t wander around late at night. Are you locked into your place (did you already sign the lease?)</p>
<p>@Patrick312, hey I am new to NYC. Is it really that bad in Bronx? I was offered (The Arbor) a bedroom in a 3 bedroom apartment on 3260 Henry Hudson Parkway, and I was wondering if the area is good/safe. </p>
<p>Does anyone know if I were to turn down this offer, how likely am I able to get a new offer from UAH?</p>
<p>The Arbor is a beautiful, Columbia-owned building that’s about a 30 minute shuttle ride from campus. And, yeah, the Bronx can be really, really bad.</p>
<p>A second offer wouldn’t be likely. You could shoot for a room transfer in a few months.</p>
<p>Thanks for your reply! I guess that is a good and bad news. I think I should just accept the offer first and search for somewhere nearer once I have settle down. If I am not wrong, the lease ends on May 31st of each year?</p>
<p>Most, but not all parts of the Bronx are bad. The Arbor is VERY nice. The area around it is also safe, as it’s mostly comprised of young families.</p>
<p>The (free) Columbia shuttle runs, i think, every half hour or so. </p>
<p>Accept the offer.</p>
<p>The only downside is the distance, but once you get into the swing of things it will be no big deal.</p>
<p>Plus, you can study on the shuttle. </p>
<p>Also, make sure that you have a laptop (or a desktop). This way, you won’t have to write your papers in the library/Lerner. This a huge inconvenience. I have a friend who lives at the Arbor and loves it, but he didn’t get his computer until late in the spring semester and had to sleep in the library because he missed the last shuttle home while writing a paper. Everything changed, however, when he finally got his laptop (if you don’t already have one, make sure to use the Columbia discount when/if you buy one).</p>
<p>Congratulations on getting the Arbor, and welcome to Columbia.</p>
<p>How’s the room transfer thing working, anyone ever did that?</p>
<p>I did. It’s really straight forward. But, it’s not guaranteed to land you a new room.</p>
<p>You can call and ask the UAH office when you have time. They’ll walk you through it.</p>
<p>What was your experience? Did you get another room you were more comfortable with?</p>
<p>No, it wasn’t that at all. I just wanted to move into International House. I went through the process and was made an offer. </p>
<p>At the last minute I backed out because it was priced a bit beyond the high end of what I could afford at the time. Which I’m still kicking myself about. Mmmm.</p>
<p>What made you want to move there specifically? I’m an international and I thought about it, but decided not to for now.</p>
<p>i house! I live across the street from there! It’s a really cool building on a great street (Claremont), close to school (like, roll out of bed 10 minutes before class and not be late close), and right next to Grant’s Tomb and Riverside Park. In my opinion, it’s the best UAH option, hands down.</p>
<p>I live next door to I-House and got to know a few people there. I wanted to move in because I wanted to join their community. </p>
<p>You get a lot for your money - your own gym, a bar with live music, cafeteria, library, computer labs, occasional formal dinners and impressive guests, etc. But, it’s still damned expensive.</p>
<p>How much is the I-House?</p>
<p>I’d be interested in the cost too.</p>
<p>@tsar10027, thank you so much for your advise and your warm welcome! Yes, I have a laptop. However, in my previous college, I used to stay just beside the school. So it’s like 5min walk to school. </p>
<p>For Arbo, the shuttle runs every 10/20min in the morning, and every 50min in the afternoon. Hence, the waiting time is actually quite good. However, it is the 25min bus ride that is the downside for me since I always prefer to stay beside the school. I guess I will accept the offer and try to apply for transfer if there are available units near the school.</p>