[edited] My first draft was gibberish.
East Harlem at 124th and 3rd is rough. The area is flooded with people whom are dropped of from Randall’s island,which is a giant homeless shelter. A larger number of them have mental illness, some drugged out and the rest just normal people. From May-November you have to literally step aroud people sleeping on the street doped out. The 5 square block radius is the dirtiest place I have been in my life. The streets are never cleaned and sidewalks are covered in human urine, poop, trash and drug paraphernalia. From 6am-10pm it is safe, as cops patrol normally. However, 3 of our 2021 classmates have been robbed, 1 by gun. It happens, you are more likely to be catcalled or cursed out by mentally ill people than robbed. I have never been assaulted or robbed, although my gf was sexually harrased walking to the bridges. You will see a dude pants less squatting to poop on a sidewalk at least once if you live in the bridges(NY in gerneral) and walk to school.
NYCPM subleases the building from a large real estate company who takes for ever to conduct repairs and often cuts corners. The residents/NYCPM are at the mercy of The Bridges management. I paid $1300/mo for all included for my AC not to work July-October and then when there was black mold they just paint over it.
The groceries are overpriced and full of low quality food, you basically have to take the subway to the East Side/Chinatown for actual supermarkets where he food is affordable. This is why I think a short commute from E 86th, West Side or even Queens is a better look for having a better school/life balance. I live in Brooklyn and love it. East Harlem is manageable to go to school, but depressing to be there 24/7 7 days a week. There is nothing but fast food and convenience stores here.
YOU must take into consideration NYCPM would not have such a good clinic if it was not for the poverty in the area. We provide a good service for the community and they give us pathologies you would not experience anywhere else. I have made very close friends living at the bridges and have had many great experiences, still I would have enjoyed NYC more if I lived in a nicer area.
MY SUGGESTION: Come here and try to room-share in a nicer area. Go on facebook NYC housing groups, Craigslist’s and make a few appointments and come here for 2-3 days. If you cannot find anything try to make a 6 month lease to expand your options later on, if you do so make sure you view the room before you sign the lease.