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The reason people think the Bronx is a continuation of Manhattan is the street grid. But they are very different beyond that.
There is some level of continuity, like some people in the BX say "going downtown" when going to Manhattan.
as if the Bronx was part of Manhattan. But thats has to do with the grid.
Upper Harlem above 145 has pre-war buildings so does most of Washington Heights.
I would say the Bronx neighborhoods along the Harlem river and Mott Haven are a continuation of Manhattan. Mott Haven still has some townhouses partly made out of brownstones which can look similar to Harlem's brownstones, but the new construction doesn't look much like upper Manhattan but I think it did when Mott Haven was mostly townhouses.
I also think Williamsburg is a continuation of L.E.S at least at one time, both were geographically and demographically similar.
Housing stock is different --- but demographically, as you point out, there were historic similarities. At one time the Williamsburg Bridge was known as the "Jews' Bridge " due to the large number of LES residents headed east to presumably greener pastures.
As mentioned, the street plan is more or less a continuation of Manhattan. And if not for the Harlem River- which is actually a Strait in all but name- they would be one land mass. But they are not.
Long time ago during my New York days, bunch of local friends said the Bronx and Brooklyn were similar as were Queens and Staten Island. Manhattan was the odd one out.
A lot of bronx and upper manhattan neighborhoods seem visually and architecturally very similar to me, like washington heights and kingsbridge for example
Born out of Inwood... family center. Lived for years off 240th and Broadway. For all intents and purposes a continuation of Manhattan. Mildly different as the single families and such mixed in but basically an extension of upper Manhattan.
Certainly not true of the rest of the Bronx which goes in other directions...more Queens or Brooklyn like.
Another difference is Manhattan gentrification, the difference in income is becoming a bit stark. you just have to ride the A downtown in the morning vs the D, you will see what im talking about.
The poster is not showing disdain by comparing Harlem and the Bronx neighborhoods as examples of close proximity.
There are geographical differences with cohesion and fluidity by way of Macombs,145 st , Madison ave,Third ave, and Willis ave right into Melrose and Mott Haven from Harlem. Thank goodness for the accessibility afforded by bridges between Harlem and the Bronx which would have otherwise impeded mobility for employment and business. In addition ,the continued gentrification of Harlem as witnessed is going to bring that many more investors and this too will eventually expand outward to the immediate portions of the Bronx by way of bridges.
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