What is the absolute worst nieghborhood in nyc? (New York, Hempstead: 2010, crime)

[DjRey]

Is Hempstead, Long Island really that bad? I might move their in a few months.I used to live in San Juan,PR, they got they share of problems. Someone here said they Hempstead got alot of gang activity out there. Can anyone cosign on that?

[SuperMario]

Originally Posted by NYCwoman

Do NOT call me a liar, my friend!!!!!

I went with Guy the FIRST time I was there, as he was gracious enough to show me around the area where he has lived ALL OF HIS LIFE. The second time I went on my own and I got off the subway at 9:00 am in the morning and I ended up at the Yankee Stadium area at around 6:00. I walked around for a few hours first, stopped for brunch at Alexanders, went into Bruckners next, walked around some more, stopped in for a pedicure and then finally ended up for a drink at Sweetwaters. I probably walked more streets than you've ever been down, unless you have lived there. I ventured FAR off the beaten path of Alexander and Bruckner Blvd.

So, if that is your assertion, that if I did in fact walk around for as long as I did and SHOULD have "run into trouble" - than you my friend are operating on extremely false and outdated information. Believe That! And readers should take that very much into account.

First of all im not your friend.

Yes Guy lived in the area all his life but he also owns property there. Hmmm may we have another biased point of view? Nah, cant be . I mean he knows more than the crime stats, the income level, he knows a different Mott Haven than the one that was voted the worst neighborhood in the city to raise kids in an article back in July. But he lived there all his life, he must know more. The Yankee Stadium area by the Concourse, Courthouse, etc isn't terrible so your not saying much with "yankee stadium" area. And again.....Bruckner Grill, ALexanders, Sweetwaters are not indicative of Mott Haven. These are the better parts of Mott Haven. WHy do you keep repeating yourself? I know where you went. Big deal. I doubt you been down more streets of Mott Haven then me when I spent a whole summer working there and have visited parties in the projects there. But your two day joy ride makes up for it .

If you were to walk throught the whole neighborhood for 5 hours then yes you were going to be a crime victim. Do me a favor, and visit the areas I mentioned above in Mott Haven and come back and tell me what you experienced. If, of course you lived to tell about it.

[page3000]

Yeah..The Bronx is not a bowl of cherries. Let's not front. I have never gone there alone. Harlem is safer than The Boogie Down.
One area I found to be quite "un-inviting" was East New York. I have also heard Brownsville is realllly bad.

[bmwguydc]

I agree that the Bronx has some bad bad neighborhoods, even with the rejuvenation in some districts. Parts of Mott Haven are stable, but the reason why is that most townhouses and brownstones don't come on the market, rather they are passed through generations. It's the same phenomenon as City Island, where people tended to purchase/inherit the house, not buy it on the open market. And, the difference in City Island is that it was not mowed over to construct super blocks of housing projects. There are three historic areas in Mott Haven and Piano Town, marketed as SoBro (which I believe is the only area that is accurate to describe as SoBro).

Parts of Mott Haven remind me of the area near University and Kingsbridge, with side streets that are sketchy at best. Some blocks, like Sedgwick, in this area, are more isolated with the VA Hospital, and being set on a ridge, such that it's a single-loaded street (houses on one side only) until it meets Bailey at Fordham Hill. That would not seem like the same area as a couple of blocks further over by Jerome. Interestingly, Mott Haven declined well before this area above Fordham, and the rejuvenation has not really spread beyond Piano Town and the historic districts, which are nice, but the concentrated areas of poverty and poor living conditions do present a problem in jumpstarting this area to be the "next Williamsburg," no matter the hype from the real estate sector; especially since, unlike Williamsburg, the area is lacking in essential services for many newer residents. It's not an issue that was started in a couple of years, but a systematic pattern of destruction that took root in the area, such that parts of it were bad when my father was a child. Decades later, it's still the same collection of issues, though the housing values have increased.

I have witnessed the destruction, and some rejuvenation, around University, since it's a handy way to get to Yankee Stadium at times when the Deegan is blocked. And, it's not as bad as it was years ago, but it's definitely not a good area. Years ago, the family of someone I know had investments in the area, owning apartment buildings in the W190s and a couple of other stretches between University and Jerome. Some of these buildings, especially on University, were gorgeous buildings in their heyday with marble wainscotting, mosaic tile floors, intricate plaster moldings, and while they were saved from the ravages of the fires below Fordham Road, they did not escape the precipitious decline of the area. I have a great affinity for historic architecture and the Kingsbridge Armory has always held a special fascination, but I can honestly say that I would not feel comfortable walking around there today, though it's not as bad as it was a few years ago.

So, my perspective on the absolute worst neighborhood in the city would have to be an approach that I could not name a single worst, since most areas that are technically on the underprivileged side (and crime is a huge factor in destroying quality of life even if you're not impacted by it, since the area is, and it rots from within) are not 100% bad. It's more a pocketed collection of bad neighborhoods throughout the city that I see as being of similar demographic and socioeconomic conditions that hold hostage the hard-working people who try to live under such conditions and make a home for themselves, which would qualify as the absolute worst neighborhood. For if you cannot freely walk down your street, enjoy your parks, go out after dark at all (much less going out while exercising due caution), or live without the side-effects of crime, that qualifies as the absolute worst neighborhood for the individual not in that lifestyle, since they are robbed of basic human freedoms and rights through no fault of their own, imprisoned by the affordable rent or familial associations with the area.

[NYCwoman]

I said I walked from Alexander & Bruckner to St. Mary's and well beyond. I went up and down a countless number of streets. Willis and Brooke (just a few that I remember) and maybe even up to Longwood - not sure. I went over East to where Bruckner Blvd. starts going north. I also walked up and down the streets that are three or four blocks west of Alexander Blvd and all around there. I only mentioned Yankee Stadium to show the distance at where I ended up. So, did I cover the ENTIRE area - of course not! I never said I did. But rest assured I went WELL off the beaten path. All I am doing here is giving another side of things. But, from all the pm's and emails I am getting - people are VERY well aware of just what is what. (Thanks everybody! And you are all quite welcome!)

More and more people are becoming aware of how nice and attractive many parts of the Bronx are and MANY are coming up to have a look.

[page3000]

What is the worst area in NYC? - Yahoo! Answers
I guess I was pretty good when I said The Bronx and East New York, Brooklyn..take the cake. Pretty gangsta if you ask me!

[NYCwoman]

Originally Posted by page3000

Yeah..The Bronx is not a bowl of cherries. Let's not front. I have never gone there alone. Harlem is safer than The Boogie Down.
One area I found to be quite "un-inviting" was East New York. I have also heard Brownsville is realllly bad.

Page, please explain how you can lump an entire borough and say that ALL of the Bronx is less safe than Harlem? IS that what you are saying?
And are you saying that just because you haven't been to the Bronx alone, that it is ALL unsafe? I have been to many, many places here by myself and have lived to tell about it - as have many before me.

[NYCwoman]

bmwguydc - I'm sure you realize it but my response (and first terse sentence) was not directed at you. I always respect what you write, as you show intelligence, insight and balance...

[page3000]

Originally Posted by NYCwoman

Page, please explain how you can lump an entire borough and say that ALL of the Bronx is less safe than Harlem? IS that what you are saying?
And are you saying that just because you haven't been to the Bronx alone, that it is ALL unsafe? I have been to many, many places here by myself and have lived to tell about it - as have many before me.

OMG is that what I said? Because I really don't remember saying that.

I think it's obvious that we are speaking mainly of the south bronx. There are other parts of The Bronx that are by far...different..Riverdale..Country Club...and those are definitely safe and walkable.

Uhm...I'm glad you "lived" to tell it. I'm not sure WHAT your point is though.

[page3000]

Originally Posted by NYCwoman

"Uhm...I'm glad you "lived" to tell it. I'm not sure WHAT your point is though."

Oh boy...Never you mind...

mmmmmmmmmkkk