Central Bronx Appears to be Turning Around (Bedford, Perry: to rent, coop)

[Curiousguyeducator]

Originally Posted by Elvira Black

So what comes up comes down and up again in our fair city--sometimes over a generation or two. So it's quite likely that the Bronx will eventually reach that tipping point, just as it reached a tipping point that resulted in white flight on a massive scale a generation or two earlier.

Thank you, Elvira. You're seeing the SUBTLE signs, as I wish more people in this board would do.

The fact is that I was expecting for people on this board to be skeptic about what I was saying, and to a certain extent don't blame them. Yes, urban blight can be seen across almost every corner of the Central Bronx, and if one comes across a strip of blocks that seem ok, then just turn the corner and your back in the "hood," among the dregs of society, losers of skid row. But, you must remember, things aren't--and they really aren't--- as bad as they were before. Many locals would tell you.

Small changes are happening, especially from 172/173rd by the Concourse down, and perhaps around the Fordham area as well. The locals would tell you. Crime has gone way down!

And, furthermore, I know many young proffesionals that are taking up residence in The Bronx. Most of them are hispanics and asians, though a few are white. Sure they could live in Halmilton or Washington Heights, two up-and-coming neighborhoods, but most of them would have to live with roomates and would rather get more bang for their buck in the Bronx.

What's more, rents in many areas are creeping up. Two-bedroom appartments by the Concourse (at least from 172nd down) are now going for $1,400--$1,500, higher than in most places in the The Bronx. Sure, some landlords can get Section 8 to pay that much, but not all of them. Some of them don't want Section 8. This has to mean something, considering that in Morrisiana, one of the biggest "hoods" in the Bronx, one can still find two bedroom apartments for under $1,000 because no one wants to live there.

That's all I'm going to say for now. I have to admit that it's hard and somewhat tiring standing up for The Bronx when people choose to focus on only the negative, overlooking the smalll improvements.

[cotb16]

Originally Posted by Curiousguyeducator

Thank you, Elvira. You're seeing the SUBTLE signs, as I wish more people in this board would do.

The fact is that I was expecting for people on this board to be skeptic about what I was saying, and to a certain extent don't blame them. Yes, urban blight can be seen across almost every corner of the Central Bronx, and if one comes across a strip of blocks that seem ok, then just turn the corner and your back in the "hood," among the dregs of society, losers of skid row. But, you must remember, things aren't--and they really aren't--- as bad as they were before. Many locals would tell you.

Small changes are happening, especially from 172/173rd by the Concourse down, and perhaps around the Fordham area as well. The locals would tell you. Crime has gone way down!

And, furthermore, I know many young proffesionals that are taking up residence in The Bronx. Most of them are hispanics and asians, though a few are white. Sure they could live in Halmilton or Washington Heights, two up-and-coming neighborhoods, but most of them would have to live with roomates and would rather get more bang for their buck in the Bronx.

What's more, rents in many areas are creeping up. Two-bedroom appartments by the Concourse (at least from 172nd down) are now going for $1,400--$1,500, higher than in most places in the The Bronx. Sure, some landlords can get Section 8 to pay that much, but not all of them. Some of them don't want Section 8. This has to mean something, considering that in Morrisiana, one of the biggest "hoods" in the Bronx, one can still find two bedroom apartments for under $1,000 because no one wants to live there.

That's all I'm going to say for now. I have to admit that it's hard and somewhat tiring standing up for The Bronx when people choose to focus on only the negative, overlooking the smalll improvements.

Here in Morrisania, there are more and more landlords refusing Section 8 residents (but this issue happens more in Allerton, Throggs Neck, Hunts Point, and Westchester Square). Our area's rents are around $1200-$1400 for a two-bedroom apartment, mainly because we are near a subway line. But if you go north and west, to about Webster and 168th St, the rents are cheaper because you are near the housing projects, but you must take a bus to a subway.

[rlrl]

On TV I saw something about a murder on the 2700 block of Bainbridge Ave in Fordham bedford which didn't surprise me because that is surely a bad high crime area. However they interviewed several people on the block who said they were shocked because they considered the area "safe" and I note that the block didn't have any abandonment and seemed reasonably intact

Blocks away on Minerva Pl and Creston Ave near 198th street there was a murder. Residents were interviewed. Some said the area was very unsafe and had been getting worse, others called it safe and quiet. I've biked past it and it seemed intact tho gritty

What influences these perceptions where some see it as safe, others not??

[DAS]

I see that alot of this thread went way beyond the boundaries of the Mt Eden area which are Tremont at the north, 170th at the south, going east to west from Webster to Jerome.

This neighborhood vibe is very different from some the others described in this thread that are north, west, and east of this neighborhood. Some of the other neighborhoods are close by, but they are better, worse, or just different in some ways. Some post are just about the Bronx in General. For someone reading these threads that have never visited this area specifically, they really don't know what to expect.

I would recommend that anyone interested, or curious, get the 4 or D train and get off at 170th and walk north and east around the area or drive around and see for yourself. Review a map first. I wouldn't recommend walking around with a map in your hand.

[Curiousguyeducator]

Thanks, Daz. That's some solid advice. I would also, however, recommend that they get off on Mt. Eden and walk up Mt. Eden pkwy as ithat strip is a bit more attractive and well-kept, save for a vacant catering hall by Walton. I think that that part is more attractive.

Today I learned of two new constructions going up in the area, non of which are for low-income housing. First, the Bronx Lebanon,which is just finishining a new children's pavilion on the Mt. Eden strip, is also constructing a new hospital building next to their resident building. Also, a new private building is being constructed on the western tip of Clairemont park.

[DAS]

Thank you for this walking tour advice Curiousguyeducator. This will really help. This is good advice to start with the most attractive sections. I don't think an interested person with vision would be put off by the unattractive sections.

[Curiousguyeducator]

Please click on this link to view the attractive buildings that the Bronx Lebanon is constructing on Mt. Eden.

Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center

[Elvira Black]

Originally Posted by cotb16

Here in Morrisania, there are more and more landlords refusing Section 8 residents (but this issue happens more in Allerton, Throggs Neck, Hunts Point, and Westchester Square). Our area's rents are around $1200-$1400 for a two-bedroom apartment, mainly because we are near a subway line. But if you go north and west, to about Webster and 168th St, the rents are cheaper because you are near the housing projects, but you must take a bus to a subway.

I recently read that by law landlords can't refuse Section 8 (though I assume this is in bldgs that already have a Section 8 program and are rent stabilized.) This law was recently passed and many don't know about it.

But many landlords do not like Section 8 and see it as a necessary evil. If an area is too poor to attract fully paying tenants, it's more accepted, but there are plenty of ways for landlords to discourage Section 8 tenants and/or get rid of them, esp if they don't follow the lease/rental requirements.

[Elvira Black]

Originally Posted by rlrl

On TV I saw something about a murder on the 2700 block of Bainbridge Ave in Fordham bedford which didn't surprise me because that is surely a bad high crime area. However they interviewed several people on the block who said they were shocked because they considered the area "safe" and I note that the block didn't have any abandonment and seemed reasonably intact

Blocks away on Minerva Pl and Creston Ave near 198th street there was a murder. Residents were interviewed. Some said the area was very unsafe and had been getting worse, others called it safe and quiet. I've biked past it and it seemed intact tho gritty

What influences these perceptions where some see it as safe, others not??

I've noticed this a lot as well. There has been a fair amount of crime (including murders) in the Fordham area. But since things can vary block to block, some of the blocks that seem safer can leave people surprised when a crime does occur. It's always shocking when a serious crime hits close to home.

And it seems like crime is going up again...and/or being reported more frequently. It's summertime after all...and the economy doesn't help either.

[DAS]

Originally Posted by Elvira Black

I recently read that by law landlords can't refuse Section 8 (though I assume this is in bldgs that already have a Section 8 program and are rent stabilized.) This law was recently passed and many don't know about it.

But many landlords do not like Section 8 and see it as a necessary evil. If an area is too poor to attract fully paying tenants, it's more accepted, but there are plenty of ways for landlords to discourage Section 8 tenants and/or get rid of them, esp if they don't follow the lease/rental requirements.

There a quite a few threads on this forum about section 8, the law, and how landlords get around it. Trust me they all know about it. These threads have been beaten to death and closed out, but you can still look them up. I'm sure after I post this, someone, from some city, in anywhere USA will post that they have a section 8 certificate and they are dying to relocate to NYC.

It is extremely hard to get rid of section 8 tenants. You must repair everything in a section 8 apt if you are the landlord, and keep it maintained. Since they are subsidized, if they fall behind in the rent, they can usually get assistance to pay. Even if that is not possible it is a nightmare going to landlord tenant court to get someone evicted for non payment. There would have to be proof of criminal activity.

Section 8 is usually not a problem when the tenant is elderly, disabled, or working most of the time. It is when you have people that have never worked for a living, and are physically and mentally healthy enough to do so, and don't know the value of anything, that it becomes a problem. These type of people will not value your property.