We'd never stayed above midtown in NYC and after a lifetime of watching Law and Order, I'll admit that I was hesitant to stay in Harlem as a single woman traveling with her mom and teens. I can honestly say that I shouldn't have worried. Everyone we came into contact with was kind and helpful and we loved exploring the neighborhood. Just mind your business and you'll be fine.
Bill was the most gracious host. He gave us so many recommendations for where to go and how to get there. Our lunch at Melba's was incredible and absolutely worth a stop. Bill's home is comfortable and cozy and even when it dropped to 14° we stayed plenty warm.
If you want to stay away from the tourist traps and the noisiness and lights of the city, while also being just a quick subway ride away, this is the place to stay. After a long day of exploring the city, it truly felt like coming home.