Is East Harlem really that bad? (Lexington: purchases, to live, restaurants)

[Guywithacause]

well the links are cooky...the Gateway center link brings you to a group of link.just scroll down and click the Gateway Center link. The yankee stadium link does not work at all..so just go their main site and click on the new Yankee Stadium.

[SuperMario]

Wow, I walked from 145th and St. Nick to Lennox Ave. From there I walked to 135th street. I was surprised, this part is still the ghetto. I haven't seen any signs of gentrification there yet. I could only imagine the areas east of that.

My opinion has changed. East Harlem isn't some place you would like to visit.

[Guywithacause]

SuperMario..just so you know..gentrification is more hype than reality in this city. It makes for a great headline but the fact remains that it is not as widespread and rampant as you read in the NYTimes, or the advocates for the poor would have you believe.

There are still PLENTY of generally run down, not very nice areas in and around the city. The areas ARE improving...but it is happening one step at a time. If you read the papers or listen to everything you hear, you would think East Harlem, Bed-Stuy, East New York, etc is full of million dollar condos and everyone is now rich..while the poor have been beaten and tossed out by vicious money hungry landlords trying to get rich quick at any cost. Of course we know that this is all FAR from reality, and the city is improving, still has a long way to go....but no...the poor and the blighted areas are still there....things ARE changing thouigh..and ultimately..thats what counts.

[DAS]

Thank for links Guywithacause.

[saoirse10016]

116th from second ave heading east to pleasant ave is nice ,no ?
pleasant ave too.
harlem is quickly becoming gentrified and the rents are off the wall.

[apvbguy]

Originally Posted by saoirse10016

116th from second ave heading east to pleasant ave is nice ,no ?
pleasant ave too.
harlem is quickly becoming gentrified and the rents are off the wall.

Nice??? it's all relative, if you're only experiance is living in dumps like Mott haven or crown heights then it might seem nice, if you've lived in places like forest hills, or bay ridge, you'd probably see the place as just another crappy part of ny.

[SeventhFloor]

Originally Posted by SuperMario

Wow, I walked from 145th and St. Nick to Lennox Ave. From there I walked to 135th street. I was surprised, this part is still the ghetto. I haven't seen any signs of gentrification there yet. I could only imagine the areas east of that.

My opinion has changed. East Harlem isn't some place you would like to visit.

oh god
that top part of lenox avenue is still the ghetto

[Guywithacause]

APVBGUY....yes its all relative...so those that live in Bay Ridge might consider places like Crown Heights/Bed-Stuy/East New YOrk dumps....and those living in the West Village would consider living in Bay Ridge a dump just for being in Brooklyn..let alone the fact that it is a dump...and those living in the Upper East Side may consider the West Village a dump..and on and on..

People like you lift themselves up by putting others, their homes, nieghborhoods, lifestyles down. There are just as many people who consider Crown Heights a dump as there are that consider whereever you live a dump.

[apvbguy]

Originally Posted by Guywithacause

APVBGUY....yes its all relative...so those that live in Bay Ridge might consider places like Crown Heights/Bed-Stuy/East New YOrk dumps....and those living in the West Village would consider living in Bay Ridge a dump just for being in Brooklyn..let alone the fact that it is a dump...and those living in the Upper East Side may consider the West Village a dump..and on and on..

People like you lift themselves up by putting others, their homes, nieghborhoods, lifestyles down. There are just as many people who consider Crown Heights a dump as there are that consider whereever you live a dump.

and then there are many like you who are so ignorant of what life is like away from crap holes like mott haven that you contrive stories of how bad life is for those people. The big difference between people like me and people like you is that your mind is shut tight to any concept that doesn't include the gritty urban lifestyle while people like me who have graduated from living in shoebox apts on garbage strewn concrete streets realize that there is a big world out there beyond the bronx or NYC. That is why I said people who are ignorant of
what living is like in different places would have differing perspectives on the quality of life in any one place.

I don't put people down for where they live or what they know, or who they are, but I do understand that a lack of sophistication, a lack of being able to take a broad view of things can cloud their opinions.

[Guywithacause]

Agreed...and there are many people who live in great apts, with yards, parking, and nicely renovated and tastefully decorated apts throughout the city...including Mott Haven..which again..I do not consider a crap hole. Anyone who has seen the 'big world" out there knows what the real "crap holes" are..and they are not in Mott Haven or anywhere else in this city..or most of this country for that matter.

If you are seeking a 4 bedroom, 3 bath, 3 car garage McMansion on 1/2 acre..then yes...NYC seems like a huge sacrifice and not worth the money. If you live in the projects and all your friends and family live there..and thats all you've ever known..then yes....life for you is crap...as are your projects, and most likely your family's existence.

I understand there is a big world out there...and there are many like you who should move away and live where ever you believe is better for you...but why sh** on the city and come to these forums? Spend your time talking about your SUVs, your 5 bedroom house, and complaining about the 40 mile traffic that you face commuting to work, school, for groceries, to the mall.

I encourage many people to leave the city..its not for everyone. If you live in the projects....you should probably take your family and go down South. If you earn $10 an hour...you should probably leave the city...if you are trapped in poverty in Bed-Stuy...leave to another place. There are many eager to take your place...and will be happy for the "crap" that you are leaving.....