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.
The express bus into Manhattan from the Eastern Bronx is awful. Only on a weekend or late evening is it ever actually around an hour. It would convenient in terms of where it drops off for the OP to catch the bus, but time-wise, I don't think would be great.
Busses are also subject to traffic. If there is a backup on the road, I miss my bus to maryland. Granted trains can have problems too, but in general the subway is much more reliable than the bus.
The express bus into Manhattan from the Eastern Bronx is awful. Only on a weekend or late evening is it ever actually around an hour. It would convenient in terms of where it drops off for the OP to catch the bus, but time-wise, I don't think would be great.
Couldn't be more wrong. Unless you are referring to Most Eastern parts such as Throggs Neck. I take the BXm10 to work from Morris Park and I never take more than 42-47 minutes to get into midtown. (42nd) I've taken it on weekends as well. The only bus that ever took me longer was last week due to July 4th.
Considering I am going to be moving to Mott Haven soon-ish I'm biased. My criteria was different from yours in that my primary "want" was to be as close to Manhattan as possible. With the project I am undertaking I've been up there a few times a week lately and each time am more and more happy with my decision. In fact one of these Saturdays I will be going up "just for fun" to visit the farmer's market that BXguyanese mentioned on another thread - it runs every Saturday through November on 138th.
There are definite challenges to the neighborhood but as I mentioned on the other thread, in speaking to the developers in the area there is potential positive growth coming (not gentrification, but positive changes coming to the neighborhood). I love the walking proximity to "proper" restaurants (albeit a few - literally 3 or 4!) and the Western Beef (that place is HUGE and they are expanding), sense of friendly community on the row-house streets, and being able to get to Midtown or USQ via 6 to 4/5 in roughly 15 -25 minutes.
It's not for everyone, but coming from someone who said they would "probably never" move to the Bronx I've been very pleasantly surprised. Of course I don't live there yet but I'm keeping my positive outlook - every visit has proven me right so far.
(I also have spent a ton of time in the neighborhood near 180th Street as well as Conti's so not a total newbie to the Bronx - that might make my perception different from people not familiar)
Considering I am going to be moving to Mott Haven soon-ish I'm biased. My criteria was different from yours in that my primary "want" was to be as close to Manhattan as possible.
If proximity to manhattan is the objective, why not lower concourse? The subway access there is better than Mott Haven. Unless by close you mean you'd like to be by the waterfront (esp if/when they renovate bruckner area waterfront).
Couldn't be more wrong. Unless you are referring to Most Eastern parts such as Throggs Neck. I take the BXm10 to work from Morris Park and I never take more than 42-47 minutes to get into midtown. (42nd) I've taken it on weekends as well. The only bus that ever took me longer was last week due to July 4th.
That's actually exactly what I'm referring to - Throggs Neck, and Pelham Bay lines (and I would imagine Co-op City, since it goes further, along the same way). I have never ever in my life managed to get to work in less than an hour and a half (and that's a good day). The lower Bruckner (which the BxM10 avoids) is a nightmare, and usually Fifth Avenue from the 100's all the way down isn't so great either. If you need to be somewhere very time-sensitive (such as a bus leaving!), then I wouldn't recommend at all for the OP - if he needs to get home from work from Greenwich (on a Friday night), then be in the city by 7:30, just doesn't seem likely.
We looked at a few places over there (to be fair they may have skirted Upper more so than Lower), but I didn't like it as much. Maybe it was "too" busy for me? I don't know - I just preferred Mott Haven.
We explored a few other neighborhoods (and have family on the outskirts of Morris Park which they of course were pushing) but there was something about Mott Haven that drew me more than those other places. I think some of it was the look of the historic row houses in that neighborhood (even the one with the stuffed animals! ), that it felt quieter and more like a community, and the walk-ability to "real" restaurants (Charley's / Bruckner). Not necessary scientific or rationale for sure!
Also I don't have any misconceptions that certain areas aren't the safest (to put it mildly) and that bad things happen there, and that a lot of people likely think I'm bonkers for making the choice to move from Manhattan to the BX, but that's OK - if I end up hating it, I'll move back to Manhattan! (Some of my friends' reactions have been priceless!)
I'm looking for a cheap studio in the bronx. I work in greenwich CT and commute there by car. I travel out of state almost every weekend by bus leaving from midtown to visit my family. I'm looking at the Bronx because it is the most affordable borough and also closest to work. I want to stay in NYC. I will probably do most of my grocery shopping in westchester county. I really like a place with parks and green space. I love city life but I don't like being trapped in a concrete jungle. I also really enjoy bike riding in the city.
I've been considering a few neighborhoods listed below:
Mott Haven / Port Morris
South Concourse (south of 167)
North Concourse (167 up to Bedford Park)
Fordham university area
Bedford Park / Norwood
I'm trying to evaluate these neighborhoods on the following factors:
Safety
Car commute to Connecticut
Public transit to midtown
Cost of monthly parking (street parking is very desirable to save money)
Amenities
Green Space
Cost of studio rentals (looks to be pretty much the same for all of these, not going to comment on this)
I've visited these places a few times and have looked at a few apartments but I've never lived in these neighborhoods. I'm a white guy but I don't mind being the only snowflake in the area.
What follows is my current assessment of these areas from my limited experience and research. So far Bedford Park seems to be my favorite because of the green space.
Mott Haven / Port Morris
Safety: Doesn't seem any worse than the other options. A lot of projects, but I've been here a few times and never really felt unsafe. I would probably try to avoid the PJs at night.
Work: Bruckner expressway is right there and very easy to get to. Major Deegan available for backup.
Midtown: 6 train is a local train, so not as great as other options. Going to 4 or 5 train station could be a hike depending on where you live. No west side access from here. Cost of monthly parking: Free. Tons of street parking on bruckner blvd area which is awesome. I'm not sure about the rest of the neighborhood north of the expressway though.
Amenities: Basically nothing except crappy fast food joints and bodegas. Not really into the bar scene so the bruckner bar doesn't matter to me. Westchester county is very far from here but can be done on the way home from work.
Green Space: Almost nothing except St. Marys park which is ok but not that great. If they ever renovate the waterfront that will be something to see but I probably won't still be here by then.
South Concourse (south of 167)
Safety: Seems no worse, if not better than the other options. I don't see any projects around and the concourse is a pretty busy area.
Work Commute: Cross Bronx Expressway. Depending on where you end up here it could be annoying driving through the concourse or the other side streets to get to the highway. Midtown: This is the best option of all. BD4 trains available and Yankee stadium is a very nice and safe subway station.
Cost of monthly parking: Seems to be around $150-$180
Amenities: I haven't checked, but there might be some decent places to eat around here due to the stadium and tourists. Bronx Terminal market is also available but I have no idea what is there.
Green Space: The 2 parks on the concourse here are nice but not huge. Overall there are not a lot of green options here.
North Concourse (167 up to Bedford Park)
Safety: This area is pretty ghetto. Walking around it feels like the worst of all of the options when it comes to safety.
Work Commute: Same as south concourse Midtown: A little worse than south depending on how far you go, but probably not so much to make a difference. Still very good.
Cost of monthly parking: ???
Amenities: Basically nothing here.
Green Space: Almost nothing, some small parks east of the concourse but nothing special.
Fordham university area
Safety: Probably not any worse, but in another thread people mentioned locals targeting students. I'm not a student but I'm a white guy which probably makes me just as good as one.
Work Commute: Much better here, can take pelham parkway to 95, Bronx river parkway, and/or cross bronx.
Midtown: The eastern part of the neighborhood is a hike to the subway. This is very bad for me trying to race home from work friday nights, park, travel to midtown, and catch the bus.
Cost of monthly parking: ??? Amenities: I haven't been to this area much, but it has little italy and I imagine there are also probably some good places to hang out due to the student population.
Green Space: Very good, it has the botanical garden and bronx park. Could make for some good bike riding.
Bedford Park / Norwood
Safety: Seems no worse than concourse / mott haven. Love to know if people disagree with that. I actually went to the 52nd precinct and asked some questions to a police officer and he told me to go to woodlawn lol. Talking to police can be helpful, but they are biased.
Work Commute: A lot of options. Mosholu parkway, gun hill to bronx river or 95.
Midtown: Its the end of the 4 and D lines but I'm not sure yet how much worse this is than south concourse. Bedford park is probably a better option than norwood because the 4 and D are closer together and its easier to use both.
Cost of monthly parking: Looks like street parking is not really an option here. I saw some outdoor garage for $120.
Amenities: I'm not sure if there's anything interesting to do or see here. People mentioned some old Irish bars/restaurants before. Driving to westchester for groceries is no problem. Green Space: This neighborhood is beautiful. I love the Mosholu parkway. Bronx park, botancial garden and even van cordtlandt are all here. Could make for some great bike riding. I drove up the concourse this morning and while entering this area starting from fordham road underpass I found the whole place to be very beautiful. I can only imagine how amazing this place must have been before the Bronx was wrecked with poverty and social problems.
Do any of you disagree or have anything to add?
Thanks!
I can mostly talk about Fordham U area (ie Belmont) since that is where I currently live, I agree with most of what you wrote. I will say that crime and the hike to the train are both slightly exaggerated on here. Yes the students are targeted but many of the students also do things that greatly increase their odds of being targets such as getting plastered and walking around desolate blocks at odd hours. As for the hike the train it depends, generally the closer you are to Fordham road proper the easier it is to catch a quick bus ride to train. As for parks, etc I would add Bronx Zoo and and the pelham parkway stretch which is nice to run/walk/bike/rollerblade on.
We looked at a few places over there (to be fair they may have skirted Upper more so than Lower), but I didn't like it as much. Maybe it was "too" busy for me? I don't know - I just preferred Mott Haven.
I understand you, I felt the same way about lower concourse. Its really busy and nasty there especially if you go down 161st street towards the social security building. Its a really busy place, but not busy in the cool sense like downtown manhattan. Its busy because there are court houses and lots of other official buildings. The traffic going to these places are not professionals going to work, artists, or young people out to have fun. This kind of busy human traffic is not cool or exciting at all. Its like living next door to the DMV. It really doesn't have a "home" feeling to it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mattie180
We explored a few other neighborhoods (and have family on the outskirts of Morris Park which they of course were pushing) but there was something about Mott Haven that drew me more than those other places. I think some of it was the look of the historic row houses in that neighborhood (even the one with the stuffed animals! ), that it felt quieter and more like a community,
Indeed it does feel more like a place to live, a home to go back to. There is a nice feeling in Mott Haven, and it probably does have to do with the row houses. Still, the place has all of those goddamn projects everywhere. Its really a shame because the area has a lot of potential. The Arthur avenue brownstone row is breaktaking, but as soon as you exit north or south you're right in the PJs again.
The biggest issues I have with Mott Haven:
Projects, projects, projects, everywhere!
Air quality with those stupid highways bordering the neighborhood on 3 sides
Almost no parks
Quote:
Originally Posted by mattie180
Not necessary scientific or rationale for sure!
Scientific reasoning ends after you figure out finances. Choosing where to live is an emotional decision so don't feel bad!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mattie180
Also I don't have any misconceptions that certain areas aren't the safest (to put it mildly) and that bad things happen there, and that a lot of people likely think I'm bonkers for making the choice to move from Manhattan to the BX, but that's OK - if I end up hating it, I'll move back to Manhattan! (Some of my friends' reactions have been priceless!)
Suppose you invest in real estate and in 10-15 yrs Mott Haven does take off. Your friends reactions will be much much sweeter then
Suppose you invest in real estate and in 10-15 yrs Mott Haven does take off. Your friends reactions will be much much sweeter then
Ha - exactly! My close friends have been so excited (at least while I'm in the room!) but the casual acquaintances usually resort to crickets when I tell them where (I guess they aspire to the "if you don't have something nice to say..." philosophy!).
In terms of the projects - there is a decent amount of public housing near me now so wasn't very phased by the ones in Mott Haven. We looked at a few places around Claremont Park and east of Grand Concourse - I couldn't get past some of those neighborhoods to be able to consider it up there. It was a shame, one place was part of a historic landmark building with amazingly preserved details (pocket doors, inlaid wood floors, etc. etc.) that you don't often see in the Bronx due to the slicing and dicing. However, the surrounding blocks felt unsafe even walking on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
How can you ignore the 50 pct? It has the best crime rate for the entire Bronx!
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.