Thinking about moving to Washington Heights? Here’s what you need to know.

The cultural heritage and elbow room in Washington Heights have long made it an attractive place to call home for those looking to settle in New York City but not pay Manhattan prices. At the upper edge of the borough of Manhattan, Washington Heights’ affordable real estate has historically drawn various immigrant populations that have, in turn, brought with them rich cultural traditions. Located north of Harlem, the neighborhood has more than 150,000 residents in a 1.7-square-mile area.

Who’s There?

The population of Washington Heights has always been diverse. Irish settlers called it home in the 1900s, and large populations of European Jews relocated there after WWI. Today, there is a thriving Dominican populace that seems to move to an ever-present merengue beat. Young professionals seeking cheaper rent, along with Columbia University medical students and Columbia University Medical Center staff, round out the typical residents.

What’s Around Washington Heights?

The neighborhood sits above Harlem, starting around 155th Street, with Inwood providing the northern border. Fort Washington, where General George Washington camped with his troops during the Revolutionary War, is on the north end of the neighborhood and is Manhattan’s highest point, at 265 feet above sea level. The area is well served by the subway system, including the 1 and C trains, and the A train, which goes north through Midtown Manhattan to Washington Heights and Harlem. The George Washington Bridge, which is arguably the world’s busiest motor vehicle bridge, connects Washington Heights to Fort Lee, New Jersey, while the Alexander Hamilton Bridge connects the neighborhood to the Bronx.

What Do You Do In Washington Heights?

The area is awash in unpretentious and authentic ethnic food. Chimichurri stands and chicken-and-rice eateries line Broadway, and there are plenty of clubs and watering holes where locals salsa late into the night. Fort Tryon Park, built on land owned by John D. Rockefeller Jr., provides 67 acres of green space. The Cloisters, a medieval castle-like museum built 100 years ago and featuring five medieval French cloisters, sits in the park and is a cultural gem of the area.

2108 Amsterdam Ave #N4

509 W 173rd St #4

456 W 167th St #1C

579 W 177th St #51

275 Fort Washington Ave #3E

4650 Broadway #604

351 Wadsworth Ave #41

4530 Broadway #6E

2 Magaw Pl #23D

382 Wadsworth Ave #4B

54 Wadsworth Ter #44

639 W 173rd St #4B

725 W 184th St #3M

160 Wadsworth Ave

1224 Saint Nicholas Ave #4K

615 W 184th St #2F

525 W 158th St #523

618 W 182nd St #1

596 Edgecombe Ave #2ID

474 W 158th St #4

2360 Amsterdam Ave #R6A

660 Fort Washington Ave

247 Wadsworth Ave

3924 Broadway #A3

512 W 171st St #2C

4260 Broadway #601

529 W 158th St #A1

554 W 165th St #GARDEN

612 W 182nd St #5

531 W 159th St #3D

Total population

Median rent