Washington Heights
Manhattan’s Washington Heights is a diverse, lively neighborhood in upper Manhattan located between 155th Street to the South, Dyckman Street to the North, and the East River and Hudson River to the east and west, respectively. The neighborhood is largely made of pre-war buildings with classic architecture, plus Washington Heights has an abundance of green spaces: there are 7 different parks and many recreational areas. Its hilly terrain creates great views of the Hudson River and the Palisades Cliffs in New Jersey as well. It also has many remarkable cultural centers. The Cloisters, a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art devoted to Medieval art, is a world-class museum, and The Historic Society of America is another great museum located nearby. The 5 different subway lines that run through the neighborhood connect the neighborhood exceptionally well to the rest of Manhattan. It includes the sub-neighborhoods of Hudson Heights, Fort George and Sherman Creek, which give it a great deal of variation without altering the identity that makes Washington Heights special.
Over the course of the twentieth century, waves of immigrants settled in Washington Heights, including German, Jewish, and Greeks. Over the past 40 years the neighborhood has become predominately Dominican, although there are other Latin communities there as well. This gives Washington Heights a lasting identity built around strong family ties, an abundance of great Latin restaurants, and innovative music. New York City residents are beginning to recognize that living in Washington Heights is a great opportunity – apartments are spacious and rents are affordable. Many families, professionals, students and artists are taking advantage of this and moving to Washington Heights – it is one of the trendiest places in New York City. The high quality of living, low rents in great buildings, and rich culture makes it a very desirable destination, and Washington Heights is undergoing a revitalization that makes it one of the most promising neighborhoods in Manhattan.
