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The women jogging with their dogs would not have occurred 15 years ago in Harlem, so yes gentrification has changed things. 15 Years ago when the 1st hipsters starting arriving, I have to admit the women were a lot braver than the men. They would walk the streets by themselves. The men only came outside with the women, and would hug the women real tight, and act like they were so in love, just to keep from showing fear. You would never see the men by themselves in the streets. But now they walk around just fine. Even carrying their musical instruments, and camera equipment. Even openly gay men have no problems.
You are stating Harlem is spotty this true for most of Manhattan above 96th St and below 59th St, and even those areas contain some projects, and subsidized housing.
Some blocks on 181st St are nice, same goes for Harlem. If you really walked through the entire Harlem you would know which ones these are.
The women jogging with her dog means gentrification is going on, yes that is true. That still doesn't mean that the problems have gone away, just because Harlem has some nice blocks doesn't make it a good area, I can find some nice blocks in Bed-Stuy as well that doesn't mean its okay to live in, why? Because you can walk a few blocks up the street and be in some big trouble, that's why I said Harlem above 135th street aint no good, I would not want to live somewhere that I can't walk in a certain direction or would I want to live near some of the most dangerous housing projects in NY and the country.
If you've ever been to Harlem, you would know that this isn't true. Some of the most beautiful blocks in Manhattan are in Harlem.
It is very clear that you have never been to Harlem. And you think it's an awful place. That is fine. But you should not post your rants as though they are true. When they are not.
Not trying to hijack the thread here but,
I think Harlem is overall bad. Im not sure if everything above 135th street is terrible but still you gotta admit that even though there are some nice quiet blocks that Harlem is a very spotty neighborhood. You might be on a nice block and go over 2 blocks and be on a bad block.
Mostly bad and good are based on perception, you gotta let the OP decide for hisself. You might think its good while he thinks its a sketchy neighborhood.
177th & Broadway
Unlike some people who insist on posting when they have NO IDEA what they are talking about, I moved last winter from within a block of Broadway and 177th after five years there. (And only moved a few blocks up into the "better" part of the Heights.)
Anyway, the area has come a long way since I first moved there, but has some ways to go. There is an interesting mix of long-time residents who are mostly Dominican, Broadway actors/musicians, teaching fellows (it seemed like half our building taught when we left) and Columbia medical students. There was a struggling fancy new coffee shop with an expensive Italian espresso machine on 177th when we moved out. I'm not sure if it is still there, but it was definitely a sign of the new demographics. (Don't hate on "hipsters" the place was operated by a nice Dominican family.)
I never felt unsafe in the neighborhood, and loved being so close to the subway. There is a Columbia dorm on Ft Wash between 1777th & 178th and plenty of security patrols. It was also great to be close to the United Palace Theater; it is a very hot concert venue right now. The biggest drawback for me was the expectation of quiet - definite culture clash there. Saturday night could be a nightmare. Also, people litter. But it was worth it for our gigantic cheap apartment.
Not trying to hijack the thread here but,
I think Harlem is overall bad. Im not sure if everything above 135th street is terrible but still you gotta admit that even though there are some nice quiet blocks that Harlem is a very spotty neighborhood. You might be on a nice block and go over 2 blocks and be on a bad block.
Mostly bad and good are based on perception, you gotta let the OP decide for hisself. You might think its good while he thinks its a sketchy neighborhood.
The person I quoted was not the OP. The OP asked about specific locations and I answered that. The person that made blanket statements about an area they do not know, is someone else.
As for your opinion on Harlem, you may consider it spotty or sketchy but that is your opinion. Harlem isn't block to block anymore. It is more like section to section now.
As for your opinion on Harlem, you may consider it spotty or sketchy but that is your opinion. Harlem isn't block to block anymore. It is more like section to section now.
Its my opinion that Harlem is block to block, it is your opinion that it is section to section. We are all entitled to opinions. The OP should just go see the area for themselves, we can't judge what is good to him.
lol Cam'ron raps about half thoughs addresses! Its Harlem man, Coke wave has and always will be breaking! Hamamamaam 153rd n saint nick toooo funny. move into a apartment thats government subsidized see how that works out you loop........ Lmao
139th & Amsterdam is about the same. You may see some young people hanging out from time to time, but not a lot of drama.
In fact, there is "drama" on a daily basis there. This is due to the proliferation of social service housing in the area, and given the majority tenant population.
The "up" side: It is, basically, directly adjacent to the Columbia project area and will change dramatically in the coming years.
It would also depend how close you would be to the project complex - which is simply awful.
I am not so familiar with that part of St. Nicholas, but I have heard that St. Nicholas is terrible from start to end. Certainly it's true lower down.
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