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Not sure what you're looking for, it's hard for me to understand someone not finding Williamsburg interesting (in a good way or a bad way), but to each his own.
The reason I was not intrigued by Williamsburg is that everything seemed so predictable. Before I ventured out there, I painted a mental picture in my mind about what Williamsburg would be like. I couldn't have been more spot on; the vegan joints, record stores, PBR bars, streetlamps covered in ironic stickers and graffiti, was precisely the type of stuff I expected to see. The off-beat pretentious vibe proved to be fairly apparent as well.
Like you said, to each his own. I am a young person who values creativity, but the over the top trendiness that dominated Williamsburg was not for me. Too stereotypical for my liking.
The reason I was not intrigued by Williamsburg is that everything seemed so predictable. Before I ventured out there, I painted a mental picture in my mind about what Williamsburg would be like. I couldn't have been more spot on; the vegan joints, record stores, PBR bars, streetlamps covered in ironic stickers and graffiti, was precisely the type of stuff I expected to see. The off-beat pretentious vibe proved to be fairly apparent as well.
Like you said, to each his own. I am a young person who values creativity, but the over the top trendiness that dominated Williamsburg was not for me. Too stereotypical for my liking.
You would like Mott Haven. It has a very real feeling about it. Very legit.
If your involved in the drug trade, a gang or like to start problems, then yes. For everyone else, including the vast majority of residents who live there from day to to day without issue, it's fine.
The Bronx has this horrible reputation, but people don't realize 9 out of 10 violent crime incidents are between people who are known to one another. Typically those stuck in that "ghetto/thug life" mindset. Plenty of working people in that community who don't roam the streets looking for "beef". Plenty of workers from other neighborhoods, visitors and even the beginnings of gentrification. Beautiful historical architecture, traditional fire escape buildings, 50s-80s evolution of public housing, community gardens, some 90s infill eyesore, and you can see a neighborhood before its transformation, its on the verge.
A very "real" slice of New York. Lots of legit lifelong New Yorkers, immigrants, activist, and artist types.
Riverdale does not represent the Bronx in anyway, it's like saying I want to learn and get a feel of Brooklyn by visiting Sea Gate.
SMH, Wow? So let's try to decipher this statement. Your comparing a gated community like Sea Gate to Riverdale? Wouldn't you compare Silver Beach/Edgewater park or Breezy Point to Sea Gate? All of those areas are cooperatives and are gated. Is it that their is wealth or the opulence of some of the homes that bother you?
If I was a tourist to the Bronx, try to hit every area. Also what time of year? I would hit Botanical Gardens, wave Hill, Fieldston area, West of the PKWY estates, Yankee stadium, light a candle at Tolentine Church, Arthur Ave but avoid weekend, Take a look at Bronx Community College. BTW Bx Community college used to be NYU. Before the liberal minded school didn't like the "Area". BX zoo but avoid wed. Go over to the Neck and have a slice @ Louie and Ernie's. Best square in the Bronx. Have a steak at Jakes on Broadway. Have a burger at Pipers Kilt on W 231th St. Forgive the spelling but have some spanish food at Brisa's in Castle Hill. Go to Woodlawn and have a Guinness at Rambling House. Try an Irish bakery for Irish Soda Bread. Check out the BX Museum on the Concourse. Mail a letter from that huge old post office at 149th st. Check out some antiques on Bruckner Blvd.
I am trying to become a more refined New York tourist by making a trip to one of the other five boroughs while I stay in the city. Last time I checked out Williamsburg, Brooklyn, which I was not impressed by, so I have decided to extend my exploring into Queens and the Bronx.
Oh boy did you choose wrong! While it does boast a decent night life/bar scene and some good restaurants. Aesthetically, it is by far one of the most architecturally unattractive and homogenous (hello carbon copy 20-30 something hipsters) areas in NYC. If you choose to venture into BK on your next visit, pick Brooklyn Heights or Ft Greene. Ft Greene is more diverse but both areas have stunning brownstones and some pretty jaw dropping architecture.
Anyway, as for your original question, my top vote for the BX is Aurthur Ave or the Botanical Gardens.
Oh boy did you choose wrong! While it does boast a decent night life/bar scene and some good restaurants. Aesthetically, it is by far one of the most architecturally unattractive and homogenous (hello carbon copy 20-30 something hipsters) areas in NYC. If you choose to venture into BK on your next visit, pick Brooklyn Heights or Ft Greene. Ft Greene is more diverse but both areas have stunning brownstones and some pretty jaw dropping architecture.
Anyway, as for your original question, my top vote for the BX is Aurthur Ave or the Botanical Gardens.
Nice that you have a keen eye for architecture.
Honestly, although I wasn't expecting much, I thought for the high rent prices there would be some more aesthetically pleasing architecture. The closest thing to nice architecture I saw were a few of those copycat "contemporary" apartment buildings that you can tell are being mass produced. Even the landscape on the main drag fell short, and didn't even remotely hold a candle to the location of my hotel in the west village. Very different areas I know, but still...
Off the record, does anyone care for Astoria, Queens?
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