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University Heights North-Fordham sits near Fordham University with affordable housing and the Fordham Road shopping corridor. The 4/B/D trains provide express access to Midtown.
University Heights North-Fordham sits near Fordham University with affordable housing and the Fordham Road shopping corridor. The 4/B/D trains provide express access to Midtown.
Did you know?
Fordham University's campus contains the original stone from the 1846 Rose Hill Manor, and its iconic Ram mascot dates back to 1925.
Who’s your neighbor?
Housing cost
$227 / sq ft
Commute
Weekday mornings · leaving 7:30–9:00
- FromUniversity Heights (North)-Fordham
- ToNear Bryant Park
Family scores
Show 5 moreShow fewer
Trade-offs
Stands out
- Family-Friendly Vibe85/100
Many families with children, with homes and schools close by
To weigh
- Safety8/100
More reported crimes, traffic injuries or serious housing violations per resident
- Schools17/100
Weaker results at the public and charter schools serving it, or fewer of them
Each score compares it with NYC's other residential neighborhoods.
What these scores don't measure: how a block feels on foot, what's changing on it, and whether a particular school suits your child. Walk it at school drop-off time, and check the zoned school for the exact address before you sign a lease.
Your family’s read
How does University Heights (North)-Fordham fit your family?
An agentic read of this neighborhood — including safety and cost of living — tailored to your priorities, family size, budget, and commute.
Analyze for My FamilySchools & early education
Schools9 schools
University Heights and Fordham offer a deep bench of public options with real variety — zoned elementary schools like P.S. 310 Marble Hill and P.S. 246 Poe Center serve the core, while I.S. 206 Ann Mersereau handles middle schoolers. The charter scene adds two Brilla schools, and a handful of private and specialized programs round things out. It's not a curated private school corridor, but families here have real options across governance types without crossing borough lines.
Browse all early-ed in this neighborhoodLiving here
Parks & Playgrounds5 places
University Heights offers a modest but solid lineup of playgrounds for a neighborhood this size — you've got Devoe Park (with two play areas), Riverbend Playground, and St. James Park Playground all within easy reach. The green space isn't sprawling, and there's no waterfront or major park to anchor the area, but what's here is well-distributed and gets the job done for everyday outdoor time.
2 playgrounds within a 10-min walk
Nearest large park: Inwood Hill Park · ~17 min walk (0.7 mi)
Transportation42 stops
The 4 train at Fordham Road is your lone subway shot, but it connects straight into Manhattan — about a half-hour ride to downtown — so for commuters it's the lifeline. The bus network fills in the rest: routes along Jerome Avenue, Grand Concourse, and both East and West Fordham Roads mean you can get around the Bronx without a car, even if the subway options beyond that are thin.
Restaurants38 places
Fordham Road and Jerome Avenue anchor a deep bench of quick eats — think multiple fast-food stands, fried chicken spots, and pizza slices on the go. There's a solid mix of Caribbean, Mexican, and Vietnamese options scattered throughout, so you're not stuck in a rut even if the scene leans toward takeout and counter service rather than sit-down dinners. It's not a culinary destination, but for a neighborhood where people are grabbing dinner on the way home, the variety holds up.
Groceries12 places
University Heights and Fordham Road have a deep bench of independent supermarkets and ethnic grocers — C-Town is the only major chain in the mix, but the independents here stock well and prices tend to stay friendly. You'll find Antillana for Caribbean staples, Lindo for Salvadoran and Mexican goods, and a handful of options along Kingsbridge Road and Grand Concourse that make the weekly shop doable on foot. The seasonal Greenmarket on 192nd Street adds fresh produce when it's running. No Trader Joe's or Whole Foods here, but for everyday provisioning, you won't need a car.
Coffee Shops9 places
University Heights keeps it practical on the caffeine front — the neighborhood's coffee scene runs heavy on Dunkin', with a few locations dotting Kingsbridge Road and Jerome Avenue. There's a Starbucks near the VA hospital for those who need their familiar latte, and a Capitol One Café on Fordham Road for a more sit-down vibe. Third-wave pour-over spots remain thin here. It's more grab-and-go than laptop-loitering territory.
Things to Do5 places
Families in this corner of the Bronx will find a pretty lean roster when it comes to scheduled kids' activities. The options that do exist lean practical — daycares, a preschool, and a tutoring center — rather than the enrichment-heavy lineup you'd hope for (think swim lessons, gymnastics, or music classes). There's Edgar Allan Poe Cottage for a dose of local history, and that's about it for standalone venues. Families often look to neighboring areas to fill in the gaps.
Daycare & informal care5 places
Childcare and Pre-K options here hold their own for a working-class pocket of the Bronx — you've got a decent mix of universal Pre-K sites tied to local schools and churches alongside a handful of independent daycares scattered along Grand and Andrews Avenues. It's not overwhelming in number, but morning drop-off is manageable with several spots clustered near Fordham Road. The trade-off: most daycares are small, family-run operations, so waitlists can form fast — act early in the school year cycle.
Family Resources6 places
University Heights has a real anchor in the Bronx Library Center on Kingsbridge Road — a proper branch with internet access, kids' programs, and community meeting space. For outdoor time, Poe Park on Grand Concourse is the anchor (and hosts a seasonal greenmarket), with Fordham Landing Playground near the Major Deegan and Riverbend Playground on Bailey rounding out the options. It's a thin bench of resources, but what exists is solid and well-used.
Healthcare9 places
University Heights has a few medical facilities anchoring the area — Citadel Renal Center, The New Jewish Home, and University Ave Family Practice each serve different pockets of care. Pediatric options are decent with Montefiore and Sheldon Medical in the mix, though families often travel south or east for specialists. A single CityMD on Fordham Road covers urgent care, and dental is thin — just a couple of practices along the main drags, so snagging an appointment can take some planning.
Compare with nearby neighborhoods
Best schools in University Heights (North)-Fordham
Schools in University Heights (North)-Fordham
9
Early education in University Heights (North)-Fordham
9
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is University Heights (North)-Fordham a good neighborhood for families?
- University Heights (North)-Fordham scores 40/100 for families on Motley — near the middle of the pack citywide. The Family Fit score blends six parts: how many families live there, schools, affordability, weekday-morning transit time to job centers, safety, and air quality and child health.
- What are the pros and cons of University Heights (North)-Fordham for families?
- For families, University Heights (North)-Fordham stands out for many families with children, with homes and schools close by. What to weigh: more reported crimes, traffic injuries or serious housing violations per resident, and weaker results at the public and charter schools serving it, or fewer of them. Each score compares it with NYC's other residential neighborhoods. They don't measure how a block feels on foot or whether a particular school suits your child, so walk it before you decide.
- Is University Heights (North)-Fordham safe?
- University Heights (North)-Fordham scores 8/100 on safety — toward the lower end citywide. We build the score from NYPD crime complaints, pedestrian and cyclist injuries, and serious (Class C) housing violations, each counted per 1,000 residents.
- How are the schools in University Heights (North)-Fordham?
- University Heights (North)-Fordham has 9 schools mapped inside its boundary and scores 17/100 for schools — toward the lower end citywide.
- How do middle and high school admissions work from University Heights (North)-Fordham?
- Middle school: families in University Heights (North)-Fordham apply in 5th grade through the citywide middle school application. District 10's 47 middle school programs admit by method: 15 unscreened, 14 screened, 13 zoned and 5 charter lottery. High school: one citywide application in 8th grade lets a family rank programs anywhere in the city, and the eight specialized high schools admit on the SHSAT alone.
- Is University Heights (North)-Fordham affordable?
- University Heights (North)-Fordham scores 41/100 for affordability on Motley — mid-range on cost for the city.
- Which borough is University Heights (North)-Fordham in?
- University Heights (North)-Fordham is a neighborhood in Bronx, New York City.
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