Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue are the main commercial streets in the area, offering a variety of food markets, restaurants, shops, and bookstores. While all UAH units are within easy walking distance of the Columbia campus, during the academic year the University provides shuttle service every evening between the campus and neighborhood locations. Morningside Heights is one of the safest neighborhoods in New York. All UAH buildings are managed and operated by University employees and the University takes special measures to provide a secure living environment for all residents. UAH's Manager of Security Operations instructs and oversees all building personnel on security and safety procedures.
All buildings have superintendents residing either in or very near the building.
Columbia University Security provides car and foot patrols for the entire UAH area. They also maintain strategically situated guard kiosks and provide emergency call boxes located throughout the area. The Morningside Area Alliance, a community service organization founded by the major institutions in the Heights, also provides security patrols. During the academic year, evening and night shuttle and escort services to locations throughout the neighborhood are available to all Columbia students. The Washington Heights campus units are located on Haven Avenue between West 169th Street and West 174th Street.