Is East Harlem really that bad? (New York, York: crime rate, safe area, to live in)

[apvbguy]

Originally Posted by Guywithacause

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.....

your views are just as bad as the guy who thinks the bronx is only streets of burnt out abandoned buildings filled will squatter's who are crack heads, pimps and ho's, when we all know that there are zillions of dollar stores, bodegas, fried chicken and chinese take outs and check cashing shops. give it a rest!

[Guywithacause]

As I said...if you enjoy the suburbs and the suburban life...then go live it and post on those forums. Why come to the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, forums and sh** on the neighborhoods? I could care less about the suburban life..it is suitable for many people....go and live your life and be happy. And while you are at it..take the people who don't want to be in th city with you....there is a big world out there for everyone.

[Guywithacause]

I speak quite fairly about the Bronx..and the city in general..if you would like to look back on my posts please do so. Concentrating on all the negatives is not "talking str8"..or "speaking the truth" ...it is merely talking about the negatives. I speak about both..and my prior posts...ALL of my prior posts...do just that.

I dont promote the Bronx...I like living here and say why. There are those who do not like living here and say why....and thats great too. But those who ONLY speak the negative will be challenged by me....as anyone who ONLY speaks about the positives should be challenged.

The Bronx is inclusive...there is room for everyone. You were not happy here and left..which leads me to believe you had very negative experiences and were unable to improve yourself here. That's great..congrats....but just cuz you could not cut it here or did not see the value does not mean there place is not worth it or has no value.

I enjoy living here for all the reasons I have already said. Is it for everyone? Nope. Is it improiving? Heck yeah. Is it just about the last affordable place within a stone's thrown from the city. Pretty much! My money is on the Bronx..and Mott Haven in particular...that is not a rosey picture..that is the beliefs and experience of a longtime resident that CHOSE not to leave like so many others...but to stay and make things better.

[spence101287]

i'm looking at renting an apartment on e. 112th and 2nd. ave. I've been over there a couple of times at night and it seems safe and quiet, but there is a project across the street. anybody have any words of wisdom for me?

[DAS]

i'm looking at renting an apartment on e. 112th and 2nd. ave. I've been over there a couple of times at night and it seems safe and quiet, but there is a project across the street. anybody have any words of wisdom for me?

Are you male? are you single? or at least childless? If so you should be fine. A woman may be fine over there as well. I wouldn't raise children over there if I could help it.

[coldblooded36]

I lived on E. 104th between Lexington and 3rd ave from 88-97 and that whole neighborhood has changed 360. The NE corner of east 104th and lex used to be an open air drug market, and the only white folks coming into the neighborhood were those extra skinny ones who were looking to make some purchases!! I went back there last year for the first time sinced I left and couldn't believe what I saw. It looks like paradise compared to what it looked like in 1990. I still wouldn't raise my kids in East Harlem, but that place has been completely made over, there is no reason to worry, and if you're smart, you'll buy that place so you can sell it once the neighborhood becomes overrun with starbucks(the seeds are already planted), then you can retire rich!!

[Guywithacause]

Agreed coldblooded...but it is much easier to do nothing and criticize and complain than take action and do something to improve yourself. It is human nature to put others down to make yourself feel better....so no matter what happens..the complainers on the sidelines will always find something to complain about to make themselves, and their situation feel better.

A good example: The people who invested in East Harlem 10 years ago..the complainers laughed, balked at the prices, and screamed the loudest about what a mistake it was. 10 years later...they are still complaining and saying the same things about the community. The difference is..those that dismissed their same old negative rants are not sitting on a mountain of wealth..while they are still..well complaining! Don't listen to the naysayers..because thats all they do! Move forward, invest, become wealthy, be a part of making things better and improving yourself and your community....the other option is always just sitting around and complaining and critiquing...which side would you like to be on?

[NooYowkur81]

Originally Posted by coldblooded36

I lived on E. 104th between Lexington and 3rd ave from 88-97 and that whole neighborhood has changed 360. The NE corner of east 104th and lex used to be an open air drug market, and the only white folks coming into the neighborhood were those extra skinny ones who were looking to make some purchases!! I went back there last year for the first time sinced I left and couldn't believe what I saw. It looks like paradise compared to what it looked like in 1990. I still wouldn't raise my kids in East Harlem, but that place has been completely made over, there is no reason to worry, and if you're smart, you'll buy that place so you can sell it once the neighborhood becomes overrun with starbucks(the seeds are already planted), then you can retire rich!!

Yeah that's pretty much how I would describe a lot of Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx. Neighborhoods in transition. Not great places to raise a family, but certainly much more liveable than in years past.

[Guywithacause]

I agree...even 5 years ago...it was not a place to live AT ALL. Period. But over the past 4 years...the Bronx and upper Manhattan have changed...not just physically..but the mentality has changed....something is different. The developers have taken over....investment is flooding into these communities, and the vibe is very different...much improved. The new people that are coming in..and the flood of changes that are happening...seems to be only accelerating...and there are new amenties, shops, stores, restaurants opening up...making the area so much more pleasant!

Agreed that raising a family is not good...and for most of the city's history...it never was good to raise families here...so not much has changed in that regard. However, those that are choosing to stay, and are relocating to these areas are finding a pleasant environment, compared to what it was even 5 years ago. The changes are palpable..more changes are coming...and the areas continue to make leaps and bounds of improvements at this point.

[SeventhFloor]

Originally Posted by Guywithacause

I agree...even 5 years ago...it was not a place to live AT ALL. Period. But over the past 4 years...the Bronx and upper Manhattan have changed...not just physically..but the mentality has changed....something is different. The developers have taken over....investment is flooding into these communities, and the vibe is very different...much improved. The new people that are coming in..and the flood of changes that are happening...seems to be only accelerating...and there are new amenties, shops, stores, restaurants opening up...making the area so much more pleasant!

Agreed that raising a family is not good...and for most of the city's history...it never was good to raise families here...so not much has changed in that regard. However, those that are choosing to stay, and are relocating to these areas are finding a pleasant environment, compared to what it was even 5 years ago. The changes are palpable..more changes are coming...and the areas continue to make leaps and bounds of improvements at this point.

aside from the crime, east harlem has 1 of the highest asthma rates in the city.