Going to NYC....want to see the ghettos (Bedford, Roosevelt: fit in, section 8)

[bobjohn]

Originally Posted by ProtexBlue292

Well I'm going to NYC in a week or so.....and instead of avoiding the ghetto parts I would like to visit a few actually because I think its very interesting. I live in a nice suburban neighborhood in Nebraska and the most ghetto place I've been in is probably Kansas City's ghetto. All I see around where I live is nice suburban homes and theres really no "ghetto" area just a little run down area. So I think since I am in NYC I might as well see the rest of the world outside of just the quiet burbs.

I am only gonna visit them in the day so don't worry. I want to go to Queensbridge and walk around there cause I haven't seen the projects before......I also want to explore some of Harlem and upper manhattan as well. I also want to go to the South Bronx and see some of the urban decay. So any tips or advice for going? Any other places maybe I should see? I'm thinking one day I'm just gonna get on the train and ride around and get off on random stops just to look around. I also will plan out a few stops on points of interest. So I know some may say "don't go" but I am tired of boring quiet neighborhoods and I want to see some rough parts of the world.

I (white young male) walked once though projects on Myrtle street and was confronted by bunch of teens who threw bottles at me. I am sure this was nothing comparing with visiting East New York or parts of the Bronx. I would not suggest looking for this kind of adventure.

[BronxPride]

I didn't forget anything. I took the neighborhoods straight from wikipedia. I know Yankee Stadium and the surrounding area, my neighborhood, is included in NY's 16th district.

Regarding Appalachias: I think you would have to see exactly what congressional district that area falls in and what other areas/neighborhoods are also part of that district. Congressional districts aren't necessarily limited to a certain area. The Bronx has a large population and as such has many congressional districts. From 1983-1993, NY congressional district 16 included parts of Manhattan.

Congressional districts are broken up in a way to give more power to Democrats or Republicans. It could be that the poor, rural Appalachia region much talked about in this thread is grouped in a congressional district with nearby middle class or affluent neighborhoods. The same can be said of the improverished neighborhoods in the top 9 poorest counties.

I think a good point was made about comparing oranges with apples. Only an Economist can look at the data and analyze it. I for one am surprised at the poverty rate. If it is as many have posted here, that in certain rural parts of the country there is no electricity, plumbing, etc.. then surely this area would be the poorest congressional district. Were all factors taken into consideration or was it just income?

Also, this data seems to be based on census figures. Who remembers completing their 2000 census form? There are a lot of people who do not complete census forms, whether its because they distrust government, their immigration status, don't file tax returns, receive income off the books, or just don't care. I think this would be more of an issue in an urban area like the Bronx. I'm not sure if my household completed the form, and I know we're not in poverty. Now that I know what's at stake, I'll make sure to complete the form.

Originally Posted by SuperMario

BronxPride you forgot to include that Yankee Stadium is also inlcuded in the 16th.

Bt wait...that means that those areas are poorer than the Appalachias?

[NYCsanman]

Originally Posted by ProtexBlue292

Well actually the thing I'm most interested in seeing is Queensbridge, so I will definitely have to go there. I don't know if anyone I'm with is gonna want to go with me to these places so I might go alone. I'm just gonna go in the day and watch my back and not talk to any shady fellows. I also am not going to venture deep into the heart of the Queensbridge buildings cause I know that its a really big project.

There is nothnig to see in Queensbridge. It stretches (southside ,the 59thst bridge ..to the north side41st Ave. East side Vernon Blvd. to the West Side is 21st street.) Its only claim to fame .. the largest "new deal" housing complex in America. other claim to fame ?.. violence..? PSA09 keeps that in check

[TheBoros]

Originally Posted by bobjohn

I (white young male) walked once though projects on Myrtle street and was confronted by bunch of teens who threw bottles at me. I am sure this was nothing comparing with visiting East New York or parts of the Bronx. I would not suggest looking for this kind of adventure.

I would advise the OP to take a subway/Train tour of the J's. Youre gonna have this kid on the news!

Like others have said, Brownsville is one of your best bets. The 3 Train From Utica to Junius, you should get your "rocks" off there. Get off at Junius and walk a block to van sinderen, cross the bridge, get on the L train to manhattan, there you can see the other side.

For REAL project watching, just take the Metro North (commuter rail) from Grand Central and get off at Fordham in the bronx... you will pass the most concentrated mileage of public housing ever! Theres even a video on you tube about it. From 99th street all the way to 135th street then over the bridge to the bronx all the way up third avenue. And thats all you really would need for your tour. Why walk around? This way you are safe. But if you want the feel of walking around.. you're a brave fool.

[snapsnap]

For a true NY experience, take the bus from JFK with all of the people who work at JFK.

[SuperMario]

Originally Posted by TheBoros

For REAL project watching, just take the Metro North (commuter rail) from Grand Central and get off at Fordham in the bronx... you will pass the most concentrated mileage of public housing ever! Theres even a video on you tube about it. From 99th street all the way to 135th street then over the bridge to the bronx all the way up third avenue. And thats all you really would need for your tour. Why walk around? This way you are safe. But if you want the feel of walking around.. you're a brave fool.

No thats wrong. When you get off Fordham there is no public housing. You're probably talking about Claremont Village which has a massive amount of projects (Morris, Morris 2, Webster and Butler) but you have to get off Fordham and go down either Webster, Park, Third or Washington to about E 171st. It ranges from those name streets east to west and from E 171st - E 167th......they're huge!

[Fred314X]

I doubt anyone is interested to know this, but the word "ghetto" is constantly mis-used. It comes from "Getto," which was a section of Venice in which Jews were confined during the Middle Ages.

[Viralmd]

Originally Posted by Fred314X

I doubt anyone is interested to know this, but the word "ghetto" is constantly mis-used. It comes from "Getto," which was a section of Venice in which Jews were confined during the Middle Ages.

Actually the true Italian word has an 'h' in it: ghetto. It actually means "foundry" and this is a reference to a foundry located on the same island in Venice as the area of Jewish confinement.

[Bakary75]

By 3 years I came every summer in Morris Heights, around Popham Avenue, for to visit one of my friend that left Paris for NY 5 years ago. What you think about this area, is safe or dangerous for me? I'm white boy from Paris. I like the Bronx but in the same time I don't fell confortable when I walk in the street alone.

[SuperMario]

Originally Posted by Bakary75

By 3 years I came every summer in Morris Heights, around Popham Avenue, for to visit one of my friend that left Paris for NY 5 years ago. What you think about this area, is safe or dangerous for me? I'm white boy from Paris. I like the Bronx but in the same time I don't fell confortable when I walk in the street alone.

Thats a really bad neighborhood, Morris Heights.