West 130 St, Harlem

I found this street to be exceptionally beautiful in terms of the architecture of the older buildings. If you're looking for something a bit cheaper, this might be a good option for you. Morningside Heights is an interesting and dynamic part of the city. There are plenty of low priced housing options, but residential areas are now the status quo. You can access this are easily by buses or by the following metros: 135, A, 1.