Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I don't know how many of these posters actually LIVE in East Harlem, but it doesn't sound like many do. Sounds more like you are speaking from very limited experiences of visiting the area, or just your general stereotypes of the neighborhood/things you have heard from others.
I am a 29 year old, white female, originally from a small country town in upstate ny, who just moved to the city a year ago ( have lived throughout the east coast previously, mostly in much smaller cities and/or suburbs) and I actually live here in East Harlem. IMO, it is not that bad. The biggest detractor is the distance from transportation (we live on Pleasant Ave, so far from the subway) and the lack of services ( lots of bodegas, few of anything else, no starbucks, not many good places to eat, though you do have the original Patsys!, no real shopping options, nothing but a little Fine Fare for a grocery store) but all these posts make it sound like it's a dangerous war zone up here. Granted, there are lots of housing projects and you have plenty of trash on the siewalks, and lots of people hang out on the streets, but I have never really felt in danger or even unsafe walking around here at any hour. Now, I do use common sense, stay on the main drag of 116 when I am coming home late at night, etc. but I don't think the main negatives about this neighborhood have to do with the safety issues anymore and I think most of the people I have read on this post are speaking from very generic and/or uninformed views of the neighborhood. would this be my first choice for neighborhoods to live in? not in a million years, but you can't beat the rents and size of the apartments compared to many other Manhattan neighborhoods and ultimately I don't feel unsafe living here. hope that helps.
you've become conditioned to accepting your reality, pleasant ave is probably the nicest, safest street up there and I am surprised that you found it, that area is barely hanging on as an old Italian enclave.
You've noted that there is no shopping, no restaurants (you're not getting into Rao's), and little in the way of being able to do any kind of socialising locally.
You are wise to have learned how to survive living up there, but face it the surrounding area is a dangerous rat hole, and really is worth even considering as a place to live.
You've traded safety and quality of life for a cheap apartment, I'm glad it works for you and stay safe.
I don't know how many of these posters actually LIVE in East Harlem, but it doesn't sound like many do. Sounds more like you are speaking from very limited experiences of visiting the area, or just your general stereotypes of the neighborhood/things you have heard from others.
I am a 29 year old, white female, originally from a small country town in upstate ny, who just moved to the city a year ago ( have lived throughout the east coast previously, mostly in much smaller cities and/or suburbs) and I actually live here in East Harlem. IMO, it is not that bad. The biggest detractor is the distance from transportation (we live on Pleasant Ave, so far from the subway) and the lack of services ( lots of bodegas, few of anything else, no starbucks, not many good places to eat, though you do have the original Patsys!, no real shopping options, nothing but a little Fine Fare for a grocery store) but all these posts make it sound like it's a dangerous war zone up here. Granted, there are lots of housing projects and you have plenty of trash on the siewalks, and lots of people hang out on the streets, but I have never really felt in danger or even unsafe walking around here at any hour. Now, I do use common sense, stay on the main drag of 116 when I am coming home late at night, etc. but I don't think the main negatives about this neighborhood have to do with the safety issues anymore and I think most of the people I have read on this post are speaking from very generic and/or uninformed views of the neighborhood. would this be my first choice for neighborhoods to live in? not in a million years, but you can't beat the rents and size of the apartments compared to many other Manhattan neighborhoods and ultimately I don't feel unsafe living here. hope that helps.
me personally, i'm speaking facts. tell me what neighborhood you know of that has that many NYCHA developments and is considered "safe"....
Littlelamb don't listen to all the negativity on here..if you assert the idea that the area is NOT WW3 with tanks, and your dodging bullets on your way to work every morning...then they call you delusional, crazy, disconnected from reality, etc.
The fact remains that these area are NOT what they used to be..they are fare safer and are now sustainable and liveable communities. Are they perfect? heck no! Are they for everyone? Nope. But they are improving, new developments, new people, new amenities are all flooding the area and making the community better for everyone, the old and new residents.
Don't believe all the doom and gloom from those on here..as many ONLY know the negative side of the city...so thats all they have to talk about. You most certainly did not trade safety and quality of life for a cheap apt...only a simpleton and someone with a negative attitude would make such a braod statement. Using common sense and normal precautions will suffice in this area as in most! I contend, and your experience has proven, that living in East Harlem, at this point in your life, was the best choice for you....and that includes all factors like safety, amenities, and proximity to the rest of the city. It sounds like a great compromise to me.
Dont believe all the negative hype about these areas....they are not perfect...and NOBODY should be hanging out in tthe projects (why would you anyway)...normal precautions and commons sense are sufficient. I am in Mott Haven..and there are MANY who are moving to and choosing to stay and invest because they see all the changes and dont buy into the doom and gloom, and the community, and its residents are better for it!
whooooooaaaa slow down
nobody said east harlem was vietnam
but overall it is not a good neighborhood
it just isnt
the high concentration of public housing alone makes it so
even the "pioneers" who bought their brownstones across the street from gowanus houses and wyckoff gardens now complain daily about quality of life issues on countless blogs....
SeventhFloor....I know that Chelsea has a NUMBER of housing projects on the West side..and the area is great...not because people have chosen to ignore the area out of fear and lack of safety, but because they CHOSE to live there despite its imperfections. As a result, the entire community is better, stronger, and healthier...with different people and amenities everywhere...thanks to those that looked past the housing projects and invested, stayed, and made things better.
Does this mean East Harlem will improve the same way? Who knows..there are no gaurantees...but why choose to ignore communities? Thats what has been done for the past 30 years...and in case you haven't noticed..it didn't help! Coming back to the communities, investing, and making personal improvements and changes are the way these communities improve...I commend her...and she is in good company as many are doing the same thing.
That is not to say these communities are perfect, idyllic, or even great, but change starts with one person....and whats the alternative? Talking about how bad it is and making sure everyone stays away? Yes...that has worked quite well! Nice job!
Seventhfloor..I dont think anyone claims East Harlem is great...but is becoming better because people are choosing NOT to ignore these communities..for whatever reason..and coming back. Things are getting better...they are not great...but change is occuring. Yes there are those that will complain about quality of life issues...but when you buy across the street from housing projects at the prices they paid...you can't do too much complaining...and they knew what they were getting into as well. Complainers make a lot of noise..but you dont hear about the vast majority who are content!
SeventhFloor....I know that Chelsea has a NUMBER of housing projects on the West side..and the area is great...not because people have chosen to ignore the area out of fear and lack of safety, but because they CHOSE to live there despite its imperfections. As a result, the entire community is better, stronger, and healthier...with different people and amenities everywhere...thanks to those that looked past the housing projects and invested, stayed, and made things better.
wrong. there's only 2 that i know of - fulton and chelsea. if you know more, enlighten me. and my original point was that because of the large amount of public housing, east harlem is not a good neighborhood. chelsea has nowhere near the amount of NYCHA units that east harlem has.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Guywithacause
Does this mean East Harlem will improve the same way? Who knows..there are no gaurantees...but why choose to ignore communities? Thats what has been done for the past 30 years...and in case you haven't noticed..it didn't help! Coming back to the communities, investing, and making personal improvements and changes are the way these communities improve...I commend her...and she is in good company as many are doing the same thing.
commend her for what? she moved there to save money on rent and she said east harlem would not be her 1st choice. go re-read her post.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Guywithacause
That is not to say these communities are perfect, idyllic, or even great, but change starts with one person....and whats the alternative? Talking about how bad it is and making sure everyone stays away? Yes...that has worked quite well! Nice job!
Seventh...I can't keep up with all your posts..slow down..geez...I work for a living you know! Yes East Harlem has the largest concentration of housing projects in the city...so you can't really compare it to just about anyother neighborhood. However, the West Chelsea area has plenty of housing projects (buildings, not seperate developments). The point is that people could have easily chosen to shy away from West Chelsea becasuse of that....and it would be a desolate, terrible place....but isntead they came back and help make thinhgs better...and now EVERYONE is better off...
I commend her for now listening to the constant doom and gloom on here and making a decision based on her personal assessment of the area. It is easy to come onto the board and believe the BS and leave it at that....she did not listen to the many negatives on here or from her friends/whomever and chose East Harlem anyway. And there is no doubt that East Harlem was not her first choice...it has not been anyone's first choice for probably thelast 40 years. The difference is, she chose it, and she finds it just fine...and that is a BIG change from how things used to be.
Seventh...I can't keep up with all your posts..slow down..geez...I work for a living you know! Yes East Harlem has the largest concentration of housing projects in the city...so you can't really compare it to just about anyother neighborhood. However, the West Chelsea area has plenty of housing projects (buildings, not seperate developments). The point is that people could have easily chosen to shy away from West Chelsea becasuse of that....and it would be a desolate, terrible place....but isntead they came back and help make thinhgs better...and now EVERYONE is better off...
I commend her for now listening to the constant doom and gloom on here and making a decision based on her personal assessment of the area. It is easy to come onto the board and believe the BS and leave it at that....she did not listen to the many negatives on here or from her friends/whomever and chose East Harlem anyway. And there is no doubt that East Harlem was not her first choice...it has not been anyone's first choice for probably thelast 40 years. The difference is, she chose it, and she finds it just fine...and that is a BIG change from how things used to be.
And your welcome!
check NYCHA's website....chelsea does not.
and yes, east harlem changed. but its still not a good neighborhood. sorry but i'm not paying 7 figures to live across the street from the projects.
Yes I understand that youa re not paying 7 figures to live across the street from projects...but there are apparently plenty of people who are. There are many that would not pay 6 figures to live in Far Rockaway either..but as you can see..there are plenty that are. So dont criticize...you dont see the value but many do..which is why they HAVE SOLD for 7 figures..and countin.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
