Is East Harlem really that bad? (Fine, Lexington: low income, 2011, apartments)

[DAS]

I have felt much safer walking around Mott Haven than East Harlem. I cannot tell you why specifically...but I purposely avoid East Harlem. Something (or alot of things) just feel wrong. Then again I am from Mott Haven so I am biased.

Of course, Mott Haven is your home. Everyone feels more comfortable at home.

[Guywithacause]

Well no..I don't think everyone feels more comfortable in thier neighborhood..which is why many leave..to escape all the problems for somewhere better. However in this case, I find Mott Haven more appealing, liveable, affordable than East Harlem.

[KB4]

Last summer I met an African American woman who has lived in East Harlem most of her life and she said some parts of it she would not even visit in daytime. Some streets are ok and the next one can be really bad.

[DAS]

Well no..I don't think everyone feels more comfortable in thier neighborhood

Oh I see. I am really thankful then, because every where I have lived I have always felt at home and comfortable.

[NooYowkur81]

"El Barrio," as it was known for years, was never known as a nice neighborhood. It always had a tough rep. It was the epicenter of the Nueyorican culture for a lot of years, but a lot of Puerto Ricans have left that area. The main concentration of Puerto Ricans is in the Bronx. It is now a mix of Blacks, Latinos from different countries (with a growing Mexican population especially), African Immigrants, and Whites.

SuperMario don't be so defensive dude, but you should really read up into the history of NYC a little more. Ever read "Down these Mean Streets," by Piri Thomas? Harlem in particular is very rich in history.

The several projects in that area, are what make it somewhat intimidating. And yes East Harlem is generally considered the worst part of Harlem. But it's an area going through change. Hopefully for the better.

On a side note, more and more people have ignorantly started calling the "Hamilton Heights," area which has a concentration of Dominicans, Spanish Harlem. It's a trend that annnoys me. That area is just is plain Harlem.

[SeventhFloor]

east harlem has more public housing units than west and central harlem. actually east harlem is worse. just off the strength of that alone. its not a race thing, its an income thing.

[scatman]

Originally Posted by SeventhFloor

east harlem has more public housing units than west and central harlem. actually east harlem is worse. just off the strength of that alone. its not a race thing, its an income thing.

What do you call Manhattanville Houses?

[SeventhFloor]

Originally Posted by scatman

What do you call Manhattanville Houses?

you must have misread my post.
i said east harlem has more public housing units than central and west harlem.

i never said central and west harlem didnt have any public housing units at all.

this is what makes east harlem a bad neighborhood.
just to show you, off the top of my head:

east harlem: taft, lehman, george washington, east river, thomas jefferson, holmes towers, carver, clinton, wagner

central/west harlem: manhattanville, grant, st. nick

since east harlem ends at about 132nd street i counted everything below 132nd street from hudson to harlem river.

[apvbguy]

Originally Posted by SeventhFloor

you must have misread my post.
i said east harlem has more public housing units than central and west harlem.

i never said central and west harlem didnt have any public housing units at all.

this is what makes east harlem a bad neighborhood.
just to show you, off the top of my head:

east harlem: taft, lehman, george washington, east river, thomas jefferson, holmes towers, carver, clinton, wagner

central/west harlem: manhattanville, grant, st. nick

since east harlem ends at about 132nd street i counted everything below 132nd street from hudson to harlem river.

in addition to the public housing you noted in east harlem there are vast union subsidized housing complexes like the one owned by 1199 and while the parents might be working class their offspring are out running wild, those complexes are pj's of another stripe

[newtoli]

One of the few places I have ALWAYS avoided. Gigantic projects everywhere. Would not go there at night. Have driven through at night accidentally and felt VERY uneasy. Got a lot of staredowns.