Is the Fordham University area of the Bronx really bad? (Pelham: 2009, insurance)

[jessemh431]

I know the Bronx has a bad rep and for good reason, but I have heard a lot about it becoming not as bad in the past couple of years. Are there areas of the Bronx that are considered safe? Or are they only safe based on Bronx standards?

Also, I really want to move to NYC for college. My family will not let me go to NYU no matter what. Columbia is too hard to get into. All the other colleges, except Fordham, do not offer what I am looking for. Is the area of the Bronx that Fordham occupies in a better or worse part of the borough? I am a 5'7", white, and extremely unthreatening looking male. Would I have problems with crime?

If you have any other input on Fordham, please tell me. Anything to do in the area? Public transportation? Etc....

[Viralmd]

Frankly, I don't understand why you're not being permitted to attend NYU. It's in a nice part of the city, too. I think the area of Fordham, itself, is OK, but there are dodgy areas around it.

[bluedog2]

No,it's not "really bad" at all, although as Vmd points out there are some not so great areas nearby.

I live in an area known as Pelham Parkway, which is quite safe by any standard.The Fordham campus is less than 1/2 a mile through the Botanical Garden.I can see Fordham through the park from my windows in winter.My neighborhood has lots of Fordham students and teachers. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/17/re...ref=realestate
There are other good neighborhoods around the campus as well.
There are lots of subways( about 30 or 35 mins to midtown) and it is about 15 mins to Grand Central on metro north from the Fordham or Botanical Garden stop.

[SuperMario]

Like others have said.....the immediate area isn't that bad but it is sorrounded by bad neighborhoods. So it's like an eye in a hurricane.

[OyCrumbler]

Originally Posted by Viralmd

Frankly, I don't understand why you're not being permitted to attend NYU. It's in a nice part of the city, too. I think the area of Fordham, itself, is OK, but there are dodgy areas around it.

Yea, I don't get what's wrong with NYU either.

What the others have said already is right on the dot. What I want to know is if you've considered any of the other schools in NYC--there's actually a huge number of them, and depending on what you plan on pursuing, some of them could be a great fit. Some of the CUNY's, in particular, are host to really good programs.

[jessemh431]

My family doesn't think I'm ready to jump from suburbia to the middle of Manhattan straight out of high school. Personally, I think I am and to be honest, I hate Los Angeles. It was nice until I realized that there are other better places such as SF, NYC, and Chicago. I like urban places. But, they just don't think I can handle the move.

Now that I think about it though, the Bronx would be even farther down their list.

They said even if I apply and get accepted into NYU with enough financial aid, it is still completely out of the question. Even with a full scholarship they would still be iffy about it. Needless to say, I'm not too happy with my family right now and they don't understand that this controlling attitude they have is another reason why I want to move so far away.

[Dark of the Moon]

Originally Posted by jessemh431

They said even if I apply and get accepted into NYU with enough financial aid, it is still completely out of the question. Even with a full scholarship they would still be iffy about it. Needless to say, I'm not too happy with my family right now and they don't understand that this controlling attitude they have is another reason why I want to move so far away.

I'm sorry, but I don't understand your dilemma. In the end, where you attend college is your decision, not your parents' decision. If you want to go to NYU, and are accepted there, then go. You'll have to pay your own way, of course, but many of us did so and managed just fine.

[gf1025]

Originally Posted by jessemh431

My family doesn't think I'm ready to jump from suburbia to the middle of Manhattan straight out of high school. Personally, I think I am and to be honest, I hate Los Angeles. It was nice until I realized that there are other better places such as SF, NYC, and Chicago. I like urban places. But, they just don't think I can handle the move.

Now that I think about it though, the Bronx would be even farther down their list.

They said even if I apply and get accepted into NYU with enough financial aid, it is still completely out of the question. Even with a full scholarship they would still be iffy about it. Needless to say, I'm not too happy with my family right now and they don't understand that this controlling attitude they have is another reason why I want to move so far away.

Wow, I'm sorry to hear your family won't let you attend NYU. As far a Fordham University is concerned. It depends, there are bad areas those are more to the west and south, some to the north. If you go east enough you can find beautiful neighborhoods actually! The more east the nicer it gets. If you will live on Campus, don't worry Fordham's Campus is like a small city in itself, is also very quiet and nice. I often see Fordham students riding the train together to go into the city, etc. Best of luck to you. Please do yourself a favor and visit all the schools you are applying to in order to get a feel for them. Nothing beats the real thing and a brochure will never compare to a real visit. If you still want NYU try to convince your family to visit the school with you, you never know. :-)

[jessemh431]

I don't have the money to pay for myself. They won't even visit with me.

I'm gonna apply secretly to places like NYU, Fordham, BU, BC, and GWU.

[jessemh431]

Originally Posted by squeezeboxgal

I'm sorry, but I don't understand your dilemma. In the end, where you attend college is your decision, not your parents' decision. If you want to go to NYU, and are accepted there, then go. You'll have to pay your own way, of course, but many of us did so and managed just fine.

But yeah basically they won't pay for anything and wont visit me. It's worth it though. Besides, most of my family except for an aunt, a cousin, and my parents live in various parts of New England. Money might be an issue though. But with no car I'll save a lot of money on gas and insurance and I'll sell my car for at least like 6k. =\

And all of that applies to Fordham and Hofstra. The only one they like is Columbia.