Safe in Concourse (Bronx)? (apartments, lease, high crime)

[selfmadepsyche]

My husband and I move to NYC a year and a half ago. We have lived in Kingsbridge (Bronx) during that time, and never had any trouble, but just signed a new lease for an apartment in the Concourse area (near the new Yankee Stadium). The new apartment is 3 blocks away from the 4 station.

I have also just accepted a job on the night shift. I would be getting home around 3 am. My husband has a day job, so he would not be able to walk me home from the subway station.

We are both concerned about my walk home in the middle of the night. It's only 3 blocks and our building has a doorman, but it's a still high crime area.

What do you think? Do you have any ideas for reassuring my husband?

Thank you.

[NooYowkur81]

Personally if I were your husband I wouldn't be able to sleep...

Maybe if you give the doorman a nice tip you can convince him to pick you up from the train station.

[Mr.Triny33]

I think the best thing you can do is take a walk around the neighborhood and get a feel for it yourself, both during the day and at night/overnight.

[bluedog2]

I don't think The concourse itself is bad,it's the blocks getting there from the subway stop.
Don't know exactly where you will be but it may be just as close to take the B or D to 167 St and walk back on the East side of The Concourse.A lot of buildings on that side have doormen so there are eyes on the street.If you are down around 800 it might be a further walk though.
Not sure that area is any worse than most of Kingsbridge either so maybe there is just a lot of fear of the unknown.You might get more comfortable after a few trips and after you have lived there for a while.

[Eric of Grand Concourse]

I have walked the streets of the concourse at those hours for many years from 182nd or Tremont to 180th after going dancing in manhattan dressed to the nines. Sometimes still in my suit and tie. Of course I grew up in the area and have a bold look to me. I have never had trouble walking up the street even when I carry a sun umbrella in the summer time or dress like I just walked off a Yacht and strut up and down the boulevard. Some of my outfits heva even been bizarre but when I was dancing and later on, modeling I learned how to walk and strutt with confidence and style.....
Also always leave the station with the crowds and look over your shoulder as you would anywhere that is desolate at a certain hour.... It is much safer in your area than where I lived for many years and with all the gay white males over 40 who have moved to the area you are less of a target...

[SobroGuy]

Hehe....I would somewhat agree with that....with all the 30+ year old gay men now in the area, I think you would have more a problem if your shoes didn't match your hat than anything else. I make sure my shirt is buttoned tight so as not to egg those boys on. =)

[Gnarles2]

If the gays have moved in I am totally buying something now. That is the first sign of good things to come!

[Eric of Grand Concourse]

Good Gnarles! When you see some of the people who are newbies, introduce yourself! You will be part of a close knitt circle of confident secure people who do very well for themselves, travel, save a ton on groceries, have spacious well apointed apartments in a constantly improving environment! The Grand Concourse flourished during the Great Depression and will once again during this even greater one! I hope to move back full time within the next few years!

[Eric of Grand Concourse]

You are funny SOBRO...

[Elvira B]

I agree. My b/f lives on the upper Concourse, and I live in Univ Heights which is a sketchy hood, but being a smoker I've gone for a pack of cigs in the middle of the night on Fordham Rd and never been attacked etc. So the short subway ride, (if it's the D it would be on the Concourse anyway) should be ok.

I had noticed a smattering of gays/transgender folks around the upper Bx, but didn't know about the lower Concourse, though I think the Bruckner Blvd area is gay friendly too. Yes, it is a good sign of good things to come. It's both a mark of gentrification but of a funky, countercultural variety. Sounds great; I would not be too afraid; just keep your eyes and ears open. Don't come out of the station with your Ipod plugged into your ears and/or jabbering on a cell; save it for when you get inside.

Also didn't know there were many doormen bldgs down there, though I could think of one. Who knew? Sounds like the Concourse is slowly but surely coming back to its former, amazing glory. Yay!