LES versus Morningside Heights

[jslade]

Hey fellas,

I'm looking for some housing in New York City for the summer (June-August), and am having a little trouble finding a place, since I can't physically check it out before committing to it.

As such, I think that I'm just going to go with a student dormitory for the convenience factor (unless anyone here has a better idea). NYU Summer Housing is completely full, so I'm looking at the two best remaining options: Columbia and the School of Visual Arts.

SVA is located in LES; Columbia is located in Morningside Heights. The place that I'll be working at this summer is located in Midtown West/East, I believe, right next to Grand Central.

Any thoughts on which location might be "better"? LES is obviously a little bit closer to where I'll be working, although not by much. I'm also all ears if any of you have any other suggestions.

Thanks very much!

 

[Axelman 17]

From a logistical perspective, neither is ideal if you are working in the Grand Central area. Assuming the LES location is Delancey and Ludlow, the nearby trains arent great and wont get you to Grand Central. You are going to have to hike to the 6 train or take the F and walk back across town. Marginally better than taking the 1 from Columbia and the S crosstown but not a huge difference, I wouldnt decide based on that variable.

To me, it comes down to the experience you want to have. Morningside Heights is the prettier neighborhood, lots of pre-war buildings, more green etc. However, the social scene is going to feel like a little being in a college town. The restaurants/bars arent that interesting and are full of college kids. LES has more of the grit and history that people associate with NYC - more ethnic etc though it has been overrun to some extent by new developments as of late. The nightlife is much more vibrant and eclectic. I would also add that the specific cross-streets of the SoVA are not very appealing, its right near a bunch of big department stores and fast food spots though not far from some good places.

 

[whiteslashasian]

If I had to choose, definitely would be the LES due to being a vibrant, diverse, and more fun neighborhood.

 

[jslade]

Hey guys, appreciate the responses.

Axelman, please correct me if I'm wrong, as my knowledge of the MTA is nonexistent at best, but assuming that I lived at Ludlow and Delancy in the SVA dorms, couldn't I do this?

Walk 0.07 mile(1 minute) South-East to ESSEX ST STATION J/M/Z
Take the BROAD ST bound
Get off at CANAL ST STATION J/Z

From CANAL ST STATION 6
Take the PARKCHESTER bound
Get off at 42ND ST -GRAND CENTRAL 4/5/6/7/S/METRO-N

Again, if I'm incorrect in anyway, please let me know. Just trying to get a feel for how inconvenient either of these two locations are going to be.

 

[Axelman 17]

Yes, you could but if it were me and I was going to end up on the 6 train, I would just walk to the Spring Street stop vs. taking the J/M/Z which is a pretty crummy line to Canal Street which is a pretty horrible station. Wont be a huge difference time-wise though. If I had to guess, I would suspect that the commute from the SoVA will be 15 minutes faster into Grand Central than Columbia.

 

[ter1413]

Great advice from both posters so far. I would also live in the LES. Don't get me wrong...Morningside Hgts is beautiful...but the LES is much more fun for nightlife...

As for transit, you state that you will be working in Midtown West/East, I believe, right next to Grand Central. That can put you close to Grand Central(4,5,6) or even a block or 2 from Bryant Park(F,etc.) Really depends on where...

 

[jslade]

Thanks for the thoughts. Guess I'll be going with SVA on the LES, unless anyone has any better suggestions in terms of housing for two months. I can't say that I'll love being stuck with a bunch of hipsters, but beggars can't be choosers, right?

 

[radrodant]

Not the areas you listed but you should check out fidi.
I lived in the new school dorms down there last summer and its not bad.
Dead at night, but also quiet and real close to all the subway stops.

And LES isn't really filled with hipsters per se. Williamsburg is filled with them.

 

[ehkay]



I can't say that I'll love being stuck with a bunch of hipsters,

You can have some nice brunches to take the sting off.

 

[gladhands]

I grew up in Morningside Heights (when it was called "Harlem"). It's a nice neighborhood to settle down in, but it's definitely not fun. You will probably be spending a lot of your free time in Lower Manhattan. The LES is a really fun place to live...if you're young AND it's a short term deal. Maybe my experience is skewed by living on a block with bars, but plan on going out every THURS-SAT, even if you don't feel like going out. The streets are incredibly loud on those nights, and unless you have central air (you won't) it's unbearable.

 

[toothsomesound]

Lived at the Ludlow SVA dorms last summer, lived at the International House in Morningside Heights the summer before. LES, no question.

 

[jslade]

Hey ARW, how did you like the Ludlow SVA dorms? Decent place to live for the price?

Thanks for all the input again!