Motley
Manhattanville-West Harlem, Manhattan

Manhattanville-West Harlem

At A Glance

Manhattanville-West Harlem is experiencing rapid growth with Columbia's expansion. A mix of historic brownstones and new development near Riverside Park.

Did you know?

The Dinosaur Bar-B-Que on 131st Street sits in a building that was once a nightclub where Billie Holiday performed in the 1940s.

Neighborhood Stats

15
Schools
4
Parks
2
Subway
29
Dining
4
Groceries
12
Coffee

Who’s your neighbor?

$45KMedian Income
20%Under 18
32%College+
5%Own Their Home

Housing cost

Avg Rent
$4,400per month
Avg Sale Price
$350Kmedian sale

$844 / sq ft

Family scores

34
/100
Family Fit
How well the area suits families overall.
11
/100
Safety
Local crime and street-safety signals.
51
/100
Schools
Quality and choice of nearby schools.
16
/100
Affordability
Cost of living — higher is more affordable.
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44
/100
Family-Friendly Vibe
How many families with kids live nearby.
31
/100
Neighborhood Character
Settled, long-term residents and housing.
91
/100
Transit
Subway and bus access for getting around.
6
/100
Air & Water
Air quality and environmental health.
67
/100
Things to Do
Restaurants, shops, and activities nearby.
Lower
050100
Higher

What families should know

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Living here

4 playgrounds within a 10-min walkNearest large park: Central Park · ~32 min walk (1.2 mi)

Manhattanville-West Harlem punches above its weight for playgrounds despite being a low-density family area. St. Nicholas Park is the anchor — Arlington Edinboro Playground tucked inside gives this stretch a rare twofer. Jacob H. Schiff Playground and Sheltering Arms Playground are smaller but well-kept, and the locals who use them are loyal. What's not here: splash pads, running tracks, or much in the way of benches and shade — the play equipment is the main event.

Schools & early education

West 135th Street through the 130s corridor runs a solid lineup of public options — P.S. 161 Pedro Albizu Campos, P.S. 129 John H. Finley, and Hamilton Grange Middle School anchor several blocks. Charter schools add three alternatives, including KIPP Infinity and Sisulu-Walker. The zone pulls from A. Philip Randolph Campus High School on 135th. With 14 public and 3 charter schools, there's genuine variety in governance models — a rarity in this part of Manhattan.

Compare with nearby neighborhoods

Best schools in Manhattanville-West Harlem

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Manhattanville-West Harlem a good neighborhood for families?
Manhattanville-West Harlem scores 34/100 for families on Motley — toward the lower end citywide. The Family Fit score blends safety, schools, parks, cost of living, and community.
Is Manhattanville-West Harlem safe?
Manhattanville-West Harlem scores 11/100 on safety — toward the lower end citywide. We build the score from NYPD complaint data, normalized by population.
How are the schools in Manhattanville-West Harlem?
Manhattanville-West Harlem has 15 schools mapped inside its boundary and scores 51/100 for schools — near the middle of the pack citywide.
Is Manhattanville-West Harlem affordable?
Manhattanville-West Harlem scores 16/100 for affordability on Motley — among the pricier parts of the city.
Which borough is Manhattanville-West Harlem in?
Manhattanville-West Harlem is a neighborhood in Manhattan, New York City.

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