West 131 St, Harlem

This is a street lined with lovely brownstones, almost all of which are in original shape. This is a quiet and tree-lined block with amazing access to transit. My block -- between Lenox and ACP -- is a few minutes walk away from the 2/3/B/D/A/C. I've lived in NYC for more than 20 years (Chelsea, Brooklyn Heights, Carroll Gardens) and this is the first street I have lived on where people greet one another and make an effort to know their neighbors. Unlike other parts of the city, this part of Harlem isn't overrun with chain stores. It is an economically and racially pocket of New York. The neighborhood has the practical things needed to make life in the city liveable: dry cleaning, grocery stores, a good wine store (Pompette on W 131), and plenty of take out options. The cost of real estate makes it the only bargain left in Manhattan. Importantly, it is easy to get out of the city from here too -- moving from Brooklyn has shaved 45 minutes off the trip to our weekend home

E. 131st St runs from Lexington Ave till 5th Ave where the street turns into W. 131st St. In reality, E. 131st St, stops at Park Ave. The rest of the block to Lexington is really a parking lot. People can drive through to get to Lexington Ave, but it is not a drive through.

Right at E. 131st St. and Park Ave, there is a section under a bridge where sanitation parks their vehicles when not in use.

After passing Park Ave, there is a parking lot to the right and a huge commercial building on the left that houses Ursus Books. Once past this point there is a little openness followed by some apartment buildings.

Once past you go past Madison Ave, there is a large school on one side and a row of apartment buildings on the other. After passing 5th Ave, the street becomes W. 131st St.

Except for a block with a school, this street doesn't offer much. Just a bunch of buildings where people live and work.

Morningside Heights is an interesting and dynamic part of the city. There are plenty of low priced housing options, but residential areas are now the status quo. You can access this are easily by buses or by the following metros: 135th Street, A and 1 trains.