Inwood Neighborhood Review - New York Moving Guide

Discover the neighborhood of Inwood in Manhattan and all it has to offer its residents. Learn about the history, local vibe, where to eat, average apartment prices, transportation, crime, and where residents are sending their children to school. Get the latest news about the Inwood area.
inwood.jpg
Editors Rating (3.5 stars out of 5)
7.0 Overall
Average Rent Prices 9
Public transportation 8
Schools 8
Lifestyle 5
Crime 5

Inwood is a neighborhood located in the northernmost region of Manhattan, New York City.

Inwood sits at the very top of Manhattan Island, bounded by Spuyten Duyvil Creek and the Hudson River on the west and east sides, respectively, and Inwood Hill Park to the north.

Inwood is home to a diverse range of people, with a population that includes African-Americans, Latin Americans, Caribbean immigrants, and whites. The neighborhood offers its residents a unique blend of urban living with a quiet suburban feel. Because the neighborhood's zoning restrictions limit building heights to seven stories, this Upper Manhattan enclave has maintained a relatively calm landscape.

Many residents describe Inwood as a friendly, community-oriented neighborhood where people watch out for each other.It has more of a suburban feel compared to the rest of Manhattan.

Fun Fact: 196-acre Inwood Hill Park, home of NYC's last natural salt marsh and natural forest, grants a very peaceful vibe to the area.

The Inwood area offers a wealth of cultural attractions.

In addition to Inwood Hill Park, which is one of the oldest parks in NYC and consists of an impressive network of trails that meander through heavily wooded areas, Inwood is also home to the historic Dyckman Farmhouse Museum – one of NYC’s last remaining Dutch farms – as well as Indian Road Café – one of Manhattan's most popular music scene venues.

The neighborhood also has many educational opportunities for children - from Inwood Academy for Leadership Charter School to Inwood Early Learning Center; there are many options for families looking for quality education for their kids in Inwood.

Real Estate in Inwood

In terms of real estate, Inwood has plenty to offer its residents.

From affordable single-family homes and luxury condos near Inwood Hill Park to multi-family dwellings surrounding Isham Park – there’s something for everyone interested in living in this quiet neighborhood at the northern tip of Manhattan Island.

Inwood is often referred to as the last affordable neighborhood in Manhattan, so there is no better time than now to snatch a place while you can.

Although Inwood does not host the luxury apartments found in Gramercy or Chelsea, it has many spacious co-ops and low-rise walk-up tenements on excellent value in an area with good schools.

Here are the average rent prices in the Inwood neighborhood:

Average Rental Prices in Inwood

Studio $1,700
1 Bed $1,776
2 Beds $2,250
3 Beds $2,900
PropertyNest Real Estate Data As of June 2023

Average Sales Prices in Inwood

Studio $259,000
1 Bed $359,000
2 Beds $550,000
3 Beds $999,990
PropertyNest Real Estate Data As of June 2023
Get Connected to a Local Real Estate Agent Now
What can we help with?
Buying
Buying
Selling
Selling
Buying & Selling
Buying & Selling
Renting
Renting

Public Transportation

In addition to its vibrant community life, Inwood also offers excellent transportation options; it’s only 15 minutes away from Midtown Manhattan via subway or car — or you can take advantage of excellent bus services all around Inwood.

The A train runs along Broadway while 1/2/3 trains run along 8th Avenue — providing easy access into Midtown or downtown.

On the other hand, car owners often encounter trouble when trying to find parking, and parking garages will burn a hole in your wallet in no time.

Bus Lines in Inwood
Local Bus Bx7, Bx12, Bx20, M100
Express/Select Bus Bx 12

Bike Safety

Although there are no Citi Bike options this far north in Manhattan, there are plenty of great bike paths. The Manhattan Waterfront Greenway is a scenic 31-mile bike path that stretches around the island of Manhattan. The path will take you through parks, under bridges, and along rivers.

Hudson River Greenway is on the west side of the path and remains the most heavily used bikeway in the United States.

Subway lines in neighborhood

  • 1

    IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line

  • A

    IND Eighth Avenue Line

Restaurants & Dining in Inwood

The Inwood Neighborhood of New York is a largely residential area located in the northernmost region of Manhattan. But Inwood also offers its residents and visitors plenty of dining options.

In Inwood, you can find a wide variety of cuisines, ranging from classic American to Italian and Mexican. Here are some of the best restaurants and dining spots in Inwood.

Beans and Vines - The staff at this cozy American eatery is exceptional. Organic selections. Excellent wine and coffee selection. Within walking distance to the Dyckman stops - both A and 1 train.

Garden Cafe - Cozy, romantic environment. Has a lot of character. Excellent service. Good wine list. Outside garden patio area. Many suggest the Chicken, Apple, and Candied Walnut Salad.

Guadalupe Restaurant- Hopping Mexican cuisine spot. Specialize in flame-grilled churrasco steak. Live music. All-day happy hour on Mondays. Fun atmosphere. Affordable. Yummy-flavored mojitos.

Attractions and Nightlife

The most visited cultural attraction of the area is The Cloisters, located in Fort Tryon Park.

It is a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and is devoted to Medieval art and culture.

If you're looking for the most natural place in Manhattan, that can be found at Inwood Hill Park.

Birdwatchers and tree lovers can be found wandering through the park throughout the year.

If you're a beer lover, every St. Patrick's Day, Liffy II- Inwood's oldest Irish bar that has been around since Irish and German residents predominantly populated Inwood, hosts a free corned beef and trimmings buffet.

Another chill neighborhood hangout is the Inwood Local. Here you can enjoy upscale pub fare and a diverse craft beer selection in their back beer garden while taking in live music.

Public and Charter Schools in Inwood

With many public schools to choose from, overcrowding is definitely not an issue for schools in Inwood.

Inwood is located in District 6 and has an unusually high concentration of schools for one neighborhood. Inwood is home to a mix of zoned and unzoned public schools and charter schools.

Below is a table of all the public and charter schools in the area.

Local Schools in Inwood
School Info Notes
Amber Charter School Inwood Charter, K-2, 56 students Brand new charter school. Will grow with every grade.
Muscota Public - K-5 - 270 students Highly sought-after, progressive, rich arts program, rated above average
Washington Heights Academy Public - PK-6 - 473 students Dedicated teachers, variety of extracurricular activities, strong sense of community
Ps 5 Ellen Lurie Public - PK-5- 692 students Dual language program, very disciplined, sense of safety among students and teachers
Ps 18 Park Terrace Public - K-8 - 404 students Dual language program, healthy lunch menu, happy students, caring and responsive staff
Ps 98 Shorac Kappock Public - PK-5 - 627 students Nurturing academic environment, accomodating administration, good reviews
Amistad Dual Language School Public - K-8 - 430 students strong bond among students, diverse student body, highly regarded academic and art programs
Paula Hedbavny School Public - K-8 - 536 students High education standards, strong after-school program, active PTA
Harold O. Levy 52 School Public - 6-8 - 193 students Technology-focused, small safe community.
Inwood Academy for Leadership Middle School and High School Charter - 5-12 - 939 students Charter school that serves grades 5-12.
Inwood Early College for Health and Information Technology Public- 9-12 - 412 students Specializes in computer sciences and offers a chance to earn an associate's degree in a few disciplines.
High School for Excellence and Innovation Public - 9-12 - 197 students Forward-thinking, small and supportive environment, enthusiastic teachers

How Safe is Inwood Neighborhood?

Inwood is often considered one of New York City's safest neighborhoods. In fact, Inwood has been consistently ranked among the top ten safest neighborhoods for the past several years.

Inwood also has several public parks where residents can gather and enjoy time outdoors without fear or danger, such as Isham Park, Inwood Hill Park, and Fort Tryon Park.

The Inwood neighborhood has a low crime rate, with very few violent crimes being reported. In addition, property crime rates remain comparatively low, with burglaries and thefts making up the majority of reports in Inwood. Furthermore, Inwood has an active police presence that quickly responds to potential criminal activities and maintains safety within the neighborhood.

Crime statistics

Crime rate: 5 out of 10
Approximately 15.4517 crimes (felony) per 1000 residents
Low Medium High
Rachel McCray
About the author

Originally from Florida, Rachel McCray, a writer and content producer, is now based in New York. Rachel offers expertise in New York City neighborhoods relating to real estate and history. Rachel McCray graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a bachelor's degree in Communication and Media Studies.