Moving to NYC this Fall - advice from locals appreciated!

TiotraZ wrote: Seems ppl keep missing OP's point...
I went to school in lower east years ago and never tried the dorm. If we are talking about half an hour walking...that doesn't give you too many options. Instead of waiting for only remotely related replies here, you will be better off dragging Google map and check the street views. Also, just punch in keywords like NYC homicide map, it could open a whole another world. So to boil it down, take pride in google.
As an alternative, try public transportation.

That's because people are trying to turn OP's thread into something it's not.

If your limit is a 30-minute commute, I would say try to commute from Queens. I have friends who currently in school by Bryant Park and they either commute from Queens or Long Island. You might just need to expand your commute. I'm not too familiar on safety in the Upper East Side but I can imagine it's relatively safe in these neighborhoods, but like TiotraZ mentioned, it would be easier to just google map it.