Motley
Washington Heights (South), Manhattan

Washington Heights (South)

At A Glance

Washington Heights South features affordable housing, strong Dominican cultural identity, and improving retail corridors. Express A train provides quick access to Midtown.

Did you know?

The 181st Street station on the A train sits 180 feet below street level — so deep that it has its own elevator building at the surface.

Neighborhood Stats

22
Schools
5
Parks
5
Subway
100
Dining
15
Groceries
23
Coffee

Who’s your neighbor?

$56KMedian Income
15%Under 18
34%College+
8%Own Their Home

Housing cost

Avg Rent
$2,750per month
Avg Sale Price
$507Kmedian sale

Family scores

42
/100
Family Fit
How well the area suits families overall.
4
/100
Safety
Local crime and street-safety signals.
59
/100
Schools
Quality and choice of nearby schools.
16
/100
Affordability
Cost of living — higher is more affordable.
Show 5 more
85
/100
Family-Friendly Vibe
How many families with kids live nearby.
33
/100
Neighborhood Character
Settled, long-term residents and housing.
97
/100
Transit
Subway and bus access for getting around.
0
/100
Air & Water
Air quality and environmental health.
69
/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: Highbridge Park · ~8 min walk (0.3 mi)

There's a solid bench of playgrounds scattered through the southern slice of Washington Heights, with five options that cover the basics. Discovery Playground and Lily Brown Playground both sit inside Fort Washington Park, giving you some tree canopy and open space to work with. J Hood Wright Park brings another green pocket to the area, while the smaller Audubon and Wright Brothers playgrounds handle the day-to-day swings-and-slides needs. It's not a park-heavy neighborhood overall, but the playground coverage is respectable for the block.

Schools & early education

Washington Heights South runs deep on public options — 25 of the 30 schools here are district-run, with a solid showing from charters and just a couple of private early childhood centers. The zoned elementary schools (P.S. 028 Wright Brothers, P.S. 115 Alexander Humboldt) feed into a cluster of public middle schools at the Jumel Place campus, while Gregorio Luperon High School anchors the upper grades. Charter families gravitate toward KIPP NYC Washington Heights Academy and School in the Square, both growing names in the area. It's a mix that covers every grade without leaving the neighborhood.

Compare with nearby neighborhoods

Best schools in Washington Heights (South)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Washington Heights (South) a good neighborhood for families?
Washington Heights (South) scores 42/100 for families on Motley — near the middle of the pack citywide. The Family Fit score blends safety, schools, parks, cost of living, and community.
Is Washington Heights (South) safe?
Washington Heights (South) scores 4/100 on safety — toward the lower end citywide. We build the score from NYPD complaint data, normalized by population.
How are the schools in Washington Heights (South)?
Washington Heights (South) has 22 schools mapped inside its boundary and scores 59/100 for schools — near the middle of the pack citywide.
Is Washington Heights (South) affordable?
Washington Heights (South) scores 16/100 for affordability on Motley — among the pricier parts of the city.
Which borough is Washington Heights (South) in?
Washington Heights (South) is a neighborhood in Manhattan, New York City.

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