Inwood Neighborhood Review - New York Moving Guide

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 |
Average Sales Prices in Inwood |
|
---|---|
Studio | $259,000 |
1 Bed | $359,000 |
2 Beds | $550,000 |
3 Beds | $999,990 |
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.
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.
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.