Neighborhood turning points in Bronx? (buy, university, living)

[Elvira Black]

My b/f (as I've said many times) has lived in Fordham in a partly section 8 building for 9 years. I visited often. The front door just got busted up (again) but the super is fixing it. Someone supposedly got killed in the building doorway after a party. Down the block there was a gang attack on 4 people--separate incidents--one died.

However, MY experience (doesn't that count?) has been that if you RESPECT the area and the decent people who make up the majority, and know how to handle the jerks, the odds are good you'll be ok. Not 100 percent, but as I said, I don't chill on the block esp not at night, but I have no fear during the day. Yes, it's scary to think I could walk into the middle of something, but my feeling is that it is getting better overall. I'm willing to risk it, and so is he.

[SuperMario]

As to Fordham road...I pass through there most every other day when I go to the Bally's on the councourse. Today while in the gym's locker room I read a sign telling people to be aware of pit pocketers who steal phones. This was a NYPD message btw. They specifically stated Fordham rd and that if you see people following you to call 911. This leads me to believe that alot of cell phone thefts have been occuring on Fordham recently. No surprise there.

In the daytime Fordham road is full of people. I wouldn't say during the day that the actual road is dangerous. It is ghetto though, no doubt about that. IMO similar to THE HUB on 3rd ave. Avoid the side streets at all time, these include Segdwick, Andrews, University, Grand, Davidson, Jerome, Walton, Morris, Creston, GC, Valentine, Washington, Webster etc etc these are dangerous at all times. At night Fordham rd becomes just as dangerous. Fordham rd is a very spotty area IMO.

Also props to Concept and Jrock for speaking the truth about the area, from people who actually go through the everyday struggle.

[Elvira Black]

Plus which, the reason I keep stressing investing in a coop while they're still cheap if you can cough up the down payment (say around 20 grand, maybe less) you can live cheaper here than renting and have a much safer place to live and much better quality of life. it's not out of the range of some of the people on this forum. Renting is a losing proposition, esp in NYC.

Also, the landlords are improving the building, and getting the true riff raff out. Improvements in safety, great super who stays on top of things. The apt isn't off on some dark side street, which helps a lot. Is my life "worth" more or less than anyone else who lives here?

I venture out to grocery shop, take the subway in the city, maybe go to the park or the botanical gardens during the day. I'm polite and courteous, and people treat me the same way. Amazing, isn't it?

[Elvira Black]

I know Fordham Road very very well. The fact is that the businesses set up a BID (business improvement district) there, and if you look up you will see big banners announcing that the area is under surveillance by the NYPD. Yes, some robberies happen, but again, there are improvements happening little by little, bit by bit, that accumulate more quickly than some might think and have a real impact on crime.

Since we're cross posting, I hope you're reading all my responses because it sounds like you may not be. To repeat, my b/f lives in a poor building that is about 1/3 section 8 in Fordham. I visited there a lot for the past 9 years, stayed there a lot. I know the scene there. I don't venture into side streets. I'm a native NYer too, and you get tougher one way or another after 50 years or so.

[Jrock247]

Originally Posted by Elvira Black

My b/f (as I've said many times) has lived in Fordham in a partly section 8 building for 9 years. I visited often. The front door just got busted up (again) but the super is fixing it. Someone supposedly got killed in the building doorway after a party. Down the block there was a gang attack on 4 people--separate incidents--one died.

However, MY experience (doesn't that count?) has been that if you RESPECT the area and the decent people who make up the majority, and know how to handle the jerks, the odds are good you'll be ok. Not 100 percent, but as I said, I don't chill on the block esp not at night, but I have no fear during the day. Yes, it's scary to think I could walk into the middle of something, but my feeling is that it is getting better overall. I'm willing to risk it, and so is he.

Wow, sounds like heaven on earth. only a 25% chance of getting killed in a gang assault and speedy repairs to smashed doors that may or may not be the scene of a murder. And a hop skip and jump into the city!

[Elvira Black]

Why do you insist on dissing my hood? What's in it for you? Are you concerned for our safety? Of course not. So what's up...Do you have something to prove?

This little p---ing contest is just the kind of attitude that can get you in trouble here.

LIVE AND LET LIVE. MYOB.

[Elvira Black]

Some of you guys either:

a: can't read too well

b: don't read all posts

c: have no inkling of what an intelligent debate and respectful exchange of ideas is all about.

d: all of the above

[Concept]

dissing your hood, Elvira ?

this is what i dont get...why is it so hard for you to call it like it is ? fordham is not a good area, plain and simple. it aint about dissing where you live, its the truth. its almost like i have to ask...have you ever SEEN a good neighborhood ? lol some of you people, that claim these bombed out areas are nice, need to step out of your box and actually see where you live.

or is that your embarrassed about where you live ? so you try to sugar coat it ? no one is saying that everyone in fordham is a bad person. obviously not. you'd have to be a complete idiot to think that. i've lived in bad areas, and ill be the first to say that where i lived were and are shytty areas. i just dont get why its so hard for you to admit it too.

it aint about 'dissin' your hood, Elvira. its about calling a spade a spade...

[SuperMario]

My only beef with you Elvira is that you insist on calling Fordham heaven on earth. You giving a bad illusion to other people like that. Since im Dominican and im a teen im all into that gang, robbery, crime stuff. I know where the DDP's be at or where the 3NI's are..or if something's going down. Im not gonna say wether I have affiliation or not but I know where I got beef and where I dont. My friends avoid white women especially if their middle aged. You know why? Because they know that if they attack you, the police will be on the case HARDER because of the fact that you're white and middle aged. I mean no disrespect at all. But that does go on. Imagine how the city would look if it found out that a white middle aged women was a victim of attack by a bunch of hoodlums. You know who they go after? Other minorities. Kids in rival gangs, or kids minding their own buissness. They see somebody walkin and looking down they know he soft. They go after him. They also go after people who are under the influence of anything. Let that be drugs or alcohol, you're an easy target that way. They'd go after white kids like no other....theyd grope white girls.....if you're different then your the #1 target. So that's why I view your perspective differently. You are not there # 1 target...

Now for a little nitpicking

I dont think Uni Heights/Fordham are northwest, thats more of the Riverdale, Woodlawn, Marble Hill, Van Courtland sections of the Bronx.......I think in terms of geography that area is simply known as the "West Bronx"....wouldn't you agree?

[Elvira Black]

I have seen good neighborhoods--the Upper east side for 12 years, to be exact.

I do not live in a bombed out area. It is no longer 1975, 1980, or even 1990.

I am very proud to live in the Bronx. There are a lot of good things about it. At least for ME, at my age and stage in life.

I now live in a University Heights coop, btw, not Fordham proper. Does that add anything to the equation?

And anyway, once again, do you actually care if I live or get jacked up or shot? In fact, perhaps you'd feel a sense of satisfaction if I did. And of course, proving you're "right" and I'm "wrong" is much more important in the long run, isn't it?

I've been alive twice as long as some of you posters. I've seen a lot more than you think I have--all of it in NYC, in horrible times and better ones too. A little mutual respect goes a long way--and can often increase your life expectancy much more than the area you live in.