Safe in Parkchester? (Pelham, Morris, Parc: apts, condo, rent)

[kathleen4886]

Is Parkchester a safe area for a young woman to live? I am moving to NYC in September to student teach. I have applied for and received housing in Parkchester, in the Bronx. Is this considered a safe area for a 22 year old, white female? Anything I should know before moving there? Thank you!

[apvbguy]

Originally Posted by kathleen4886

Is Parkchester a safe area for a young woman to live? I am moving to NYC in September to student teach. I have applied for and received housing in Parkchester, in the Bronx. Is this considered a safe area for a 22 year old, white female? Anything I should know before moving there? Thank you!

while the immediate area within the development is marginally safe the surrounding area is not safe at all

[mead]

Its not really an issue of safety in my mind. Parkchester is a pretty safe place to be, they even have their own rent-a-cops prowling around the property.

The larger issue is that as a young white person you will simply not fit in. Parkchester is probably only about 5 percent white at this point, and most of those folks are old white people who have lived there for decades.

There is also the issue of there not being that much to do in Parkchester for a young person. It is more of a working-class family areas primarily composed of blacks and hispanics.

Personally I would reccomend you to look elsewhere.

[Guywithacause]

It is certainly a safe area, as much of the city is very safe. However I think you may be mixing safe with "comfortable." You should visit the area first before deciding..however if you are not comfortable being around ALOT of people of color...then you will likely not FEEL safe no matter what the circumstance. Parkchester has lots of amenities...express train to the city, and it is predominantly filled with working class people of color....

If you seek nightlife, happening bars..and young, educated white men to mix and mingle with, Parkchester is not for you. If you seek a VERY affordable place to live, with amenities including Starbucks, Macy's, resturants, movie theater, shopping etc all within a few block radius, a park-like setting, and a longish commute to prime Manhattan spots...then Parkchester is quite suitable for you. Otherwise...you should look elsewhere...however at that price point...not much else exists!

[NooYowkur81]

I would say it's a little better than marginally safe. I would say safe. The surrounding less safe areas like castle hill and soundview are pretty easy to avoid.

Not too many White people there, don't know if that bothers you.

One thing to keep in mind, the nicer part of Parkchester is within the complex, the southern portion that is close to the 6 train, the shoppping and etc. The other portion of the complex is not as attractive.

My sis has lived there for about 5-6 years. No incidents.

Also besides the Hispanic, Black population, there is a rapidly growing Pakistani, Bangladeshi population, which is definitely starting to make an imprint on the neighborhood. A lot of Asian people in general also frequent a Chinese Supermarket there. I've heard that people from all over the city go to that supermarket.

[SuperMario]

I say Parkchester is spotty. There are nice areas but also some hot spots. Not as bad as the neighborhoods south of it, or the neighborhoods west of it. Still, dont know if you would like it. It is more affordable than other areas in the city so that's a plus.

[Guywithacause]

There is BARELY ANY community without SOME hot spots at ANY price range. So considering she is looking in the price range of Parkchester...I don't think she could get a "safer" place! They have NYC police as well as their OWN security force...and the vast majority of people are hardworking people looking for the same thing as this young lady, a safe and affordable place to live. Safety will not be a concern....it will ultimately come down to her "comfort" level.

[SuperMario]

cmon Guy, NO safety concern?

There is always concern, especially in spotty neighborhoods like Parkchester. Ever heard of DDP? The dominican gang has large numbers there, and they like to start trouble. Not for nothing but her being white means she will stand out in the neighborhood.

There are plenty of communities with a very low number or non existant hot spots.

UWS
Midtown
UES
The Village
Soho
Forrest Hills
Woodlawn
Country Club

etc etc

Now I dont know her price range, but if it's at a Parckchester level then she wont find many nice neighborhoods.

[bxgrl74]

I live in the same zip code as PC....10462, but I'm on the OTHER side of Tremont in Morris Park. I will tell you from my experience of being a cop in that area that it is NOT safe for a white female. First off, you would be one of few whites in that area. I don't know how comfortable you are w/that but speaking as a white female myself, there is no way I would live there. Also, PC is known for robberies and shootings. I would NOT recommend ANYONE living there. The buildings in PC are beautiful, art deco buildings and it is convenient to the express bus & 6 train to midtown. But the summers there are hell and unless you don't mind being up all night bc the area natives feel like blasting music at 2am, I would suggest against it. The apts. there are VERY affordable but there's an obvious reason for that.

If you want a coop or condo, I suggest Riverdale on the other side of the Bronx. If you want to rent an apt. go to Woodlawn, Morris Park, Throgs Neck, City Island or Pelham Bay and rent something in a private house. You will be better off.

And no one get their panties in a bind over what I said. It's the God's honest truth about that place. Some may like it for whatever reason but this woman needs some honesty and not sugar coating.

[Guywithacause]

Of course there should be SOME safety concern EVERYWHERE you go in this city..I am a reasonable person and nobody would realistically say you should have NO safety concern. And all those areas that were listed may not have a large gang presence, but they do have their own safety issues, like petty robberies, home invasions, rapes, bank robberies (as of late), fighting on the street (drunks, drug addicts, and regular folk)etc....homicide may not be an issue in these communities but nonetheless they share the same problems..EXCEPT there is not a specific area of these comunities that are more prone to the crime...it is basically everywhere and sporatic.

That beign said..Parkchester IS a safe community and those that move to Parkchester do not move there because they are worried about safety. It's quite the opposite actually..they move there because it is safe AND affordable...and those two rarely go together in this city.