I've been looking at this uber cheap hostel in New York called The Wanderers Inn West - it's only $20 a night and all the reviews were really positive - you get free breakfast and stuff as well. However, it's on the border of Central Park and Harlem and some of the reviews say it is a dodgy location :S

I've never been to NYC and was wondering if anyone who's been has ventured that far north and is it as dodgy as I imagine....am i likely to get shot in a drive-by or something? lol I won't be alone, me and agirl who's going to camp are going so there'll be at least 2 of us....

I want to get one booked because I've noticed a few of them are already booked up 31st august/1st september.


My other option is one called The Chelsea Star - whichis in central Manhattan and right round the corner from the empire state etc and is $30 a night.

You'll probably be ok with someone else, when I was booking up my hostel, my friend said that she stayed at one of the Jazz hostels in Harlem and advised me not to stay there if I was travelling alone (which I'm not), but then I thought it was a bit too far out when everything seems to be south of Central Park, I'm now staying at the West Side YMCA which is at the south west corner or Central Park, it had good reviews and its in a good location. Me and my friend have booked a private room (she wasn't too keen on sharing with strangers) for $50 a night and they have a swimming pool as well apparently! The dorm room were cheaper.

Thanks, I could find quite a few that are sort of $35-45 but I think she's kind of on a buget so a $20 is perfect. This one's kind of north west of central park - only 3 blocks away i think but it's still technically Harlem.

It shouldn't be too bad- but obviously make sure you're not on your own.

However, the other hostel is probably in the better location - I stayed in Midtwon Manhattan recently and everything was within walking distance!

Have you thought about central park hostel?? I stayed there last year and it was good as far as hostels go! And it's location is brilliant!

me and my friend stopped in the jazz hostel in harlem last year, the hostel itself was fine, n we felt safe inside, but when we first got there (at about 11pm) we went looking for pizza n it was quite scary walking around harlem at night, there were gangs stood around n we got a few comments, but i dont think you would get shot or anything. if youre own i definitely would suggest not walking about after dark, but in the daytime its not too bad

I plan on booking some nights in the jazz hostel in harlem. Even though it's quite up north it near the subway so not that bad. although paying $20 more doesn't sound like much...if you're spending 7 nights there it all begins to add up, I'm sure it will be safe, Infact I'm convinced it will be safe because I can't afford to stay anywhere else!

I check the central park hostel and I could only get a room for 1 person on the website booking?!

have a look on www.hostelbookers.com, they all come up much cheaper than ive found anywhere else.
The Jazz on the Villa/Lenox all came up with really bad reviews on trip advisor which scared me off a little lol.
x

and the Wanderers Inn West gives you breakfast and has a free movie popcorn night/pizza night which I like the sound of. And only $20, I can't believe it lol

sophie have you booked the wanderers inn. I looked at their website and found that it didn't look very secure just wondering how you've found it if you have booked?

I did find there were mixed reviews for the jazz on lennox/villa that do kind of put me off, but then I think, I'm just sleeping there I don't have to spend the days there at all and only have to come back when I need to sleep (with ear plugs!)

www.hostelbookers.com
or www.hostelz.com

Trip Advisor is good if you search for Hostels in NYC, it gives you all the ratings and pictures and then a couple of sites where you can book it from.

well I booked 7 nights in jazz on lennox in harlem last night!! eep! it does free breakfast too and luggage storage which was something I was really looking for!

Harlem here I come!

when are you staying at the jazz on lennox??
I just booked three nights there for me and my friend for before we go to camp..
am a little bit nervous about staying in harlem!! but from what i have heard if you just be careful at night you should be fine
so excited for NYC!!