west harlem, need some tips (Amsterdam, Bedford: crime rates, co-ops, neighborhood)

[DAS]

oh and I know Harlem is not the Bronx. In the west Bronx, I can walk block aftr block without seeing any housing projects. Also I wont be exposed to a 1,600+ crime rate. I can actually be safer!

On 145th to 155th from St Nick to Riverside there are no projects. The poster is getting a brand new renovated apt in an area that has renovated a lot a buildings and turned them into HDFC co-ops. There is still crime around, but its not like it was in the 80's and 90's. It has changed a lot in the past 2 years.

The West Bronx residents should fight to change their buildings into HDFC's. The west Bronx has large apts, in buildings that could be restored to their former glory, most are very structurally sound and still in good condition.

[SuperMario]

Yeah, but I was mostly talking about E. Harlem where KraZy lives.

What is HDFC?

[DAS]

What is HDFC?

HDFC stands for Housing Development Fund Corporation. It allows tenants to become coop owners. The building would have to be a city owned building or one where the landlord is going to loose ownership because of owing taxes to the city. The city is usually an unwilling landlord to these buildings because they loose money. HDFC get tax abatements from the city and other financial assistance. Even with this it is still much cheaper for the city.

The tenants are usually temporarily relocated and the building and apts are updated and renovated. The apts are sold back to the tenants for basically nothing. The owners are trained to manage the building, maintenance fees are collected by managing agency that the owners select. Housing subsidies are allowed for disabled and elderly that live there prior to the renovations because the maintenance will be affordable but usually more than the tenants were paying before.

Like any other coop the coop owners screen new potential owners. The new owners that were not part of the original group of tenants will pay higher cost to own. Usually starting about $60K for a 1 bedroom in a walk-up building in the Bronx. Higher floors in walk-ups are usually cheaper. To about 200K for a 3 bedroom in an elevated building in the Bronx. Manhattan prices are about double.
Maintenance is about $350 - $900 depending if walk-up or elevator.

This has been very successful in West Harlem. A lot of the renovation of tenament buildings is this. This has put balance in the gentrification of West Harlem. It allows new comers, but new comers that are also working/middle class. There really is no minimum income levels for the original tenants but the new owners must earn enough to purchase. The maximums are about $150K. The owners cannot rent out their apts but can sell after 7 years within the amount restrictions in place at the time of sale.

The new co-op owners know that they have to take care of the property, there is pressure on them from the other owners to keep things clean and in good condition. For instance if the Dept of sanitation fines the building every owner would have to chip in to pay the fines.

[Miss NY]

Hi my Aunt lives on147th St between amsterdam and convent.That area is pretty clean and safe ive never had any problem.U should catch the A or D trains the subway station on St.Nick has a precinct there so you shouldnt ahve any problems,theres a 24 hour bodega an 147TH which is very convient,P&M classic pizza is next to the bodega great pizza down on broadway u have ctown where u can purchase your groceries. Overall that area is ok

[KRaZy]

Originally Posted by SuperMario

Harlem have you ever met Mott Haven? Little do they know that they were both rejects. Alike in many ways and different in few.

I was living @138th st. & 3rd ave. I guess it's already where Mott Haven starts, if Im not mistaken. Harlem ist nothin like that. Even with the PJs. It's a totally different atmosphere.

[SuperMario]

Originally Posted by KRaZy

I was living @138th st. & 3rd ave. I guess it's already where Mott Haven starts, if Im not mistaken. Harlem ist nothin like that. Even with the PJs. It's a totally different atmosphere.

Well one of the few places in the city that I wont complain if you consider worse than E. Harlem.

But is like choosing between getting shot or getting stabbed.

Mott Haven is filth and E. Harlem is a dump.

[NooYowkur81]

Why the hell are you guys talking about East Harlem and Mott Haven. West Harlem is nicer than both.

[holden125]

Originally Posted by SuperMario

NooYowkur,

There is a lot of graffiti. ESPECIALLY on Amsterdam. Wether it is the iron gates, a building or a lamp post, there is plenty in Harlem.

EveryScape - New York, NY

That is a cool website. Go to 147th and Amsterdam and tell me you cant see graffiti there. Also gotta love the loiterers down the block in the afternoon.

That is a cool website, thanks for pointing it out so I'll get even less done at work today...

I'm not really seeing the graffiti there. Maybe it's at 144 or whatever, but this corner looks as clean as anything in Bay Ridge.

[SuperMario]

Originally Posted by NooYowkur81

Why the hell are you guys talking about East Harlem and Mott Haven. West Harlem is nicer than both.

Not much nicer.

[KRaZy]

Originally Posted by NooYowkur81

Why the hell are you guys talking about East Harlem and Mott Haven. West Harlem is nicer than both

Depends where in W Harlem. I def dont wanna live close to the Morningside Heights park and the shelters near by.