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In fact, I think some of the worst parts of neighborhoods are by the 4 train. The fact that there is alot of foot traffic, makes it ideal drug spots. 167th, Burnside, 183rd, Kingsbridge come to mind. This is the case for other trains too because on Simpson, 4 people were shot a couple days ago, and that was on the train station. It allows people a quick way out as well. I think residential areas are safer than commercial areas, but that just may be me.
Fordham rd isn't too bad. But thats Fordham rd. The lesser known streets are not helped by the elevated.
When it comes to public transportation, 170th/Concourse is pretty good. An express bus taking you to Manhattan as well as the D and 4 trains. The crosstown Bx11 takes you to Washington Heights if you don't like the shopping options on 170th Street.
Location: Concrete jungle where dreams are made of.
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I work at a school that's right by the 170th st stop on the 4 train. I'm a white female and I never experienced any problems walking to and from the school over the past year (2 of those times were at night). Also, I know other white female teachers who walk back to their cars west of the Concourse (at night) and also never had a problem. Maybe they just don't bother the teachers in the area, I don't know. I've seen crime scenes a few times, that's about it. I wouldn't want to live in the area though. But I know of a para and a teacher who live in the area (west of Jerome ave, if that makes a difference), so it can't be all THAT terrible in the immediate area they live in.
Teachers have trditionally been "hands off" even in the worst Bronx neighborhoods. I know this from teachers who worked in Highbridge and other parts of the South Bronx and parts of Harlem. Part of it is respect for the profession and that teachers come into the area to educate the students, and the other part is that it would bring more attention to the area by the police if teachers are being attacked on the streets.
Location: Concrete jungle where dreams are made of.
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You're probably right. My fiance and I stopped at the KFC by the school before we went to my school trip to a Yankee game. We were dressed in street clothes and I got a few strange looks. It might not have happened if I were in my work clothes.
You'll be fine in the area once you're known as a teacher. Some of the teachers I know were perfectly safe even going to Yankee games and walking on side streets, since the were known as teachers. It takes a couple of years, but when your students let people know who you are, it makes a difference, from what I have been told by veterans of the area.
Location: Concrete jungle where dreams are made of.
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Even last year during my first year, most people could probably tell I was a teacher. People were actually pretty nice to me on the street. Maybe they remembered me after a few months, don't know.
It also comes down to keeping your nose clean. I take it Rachel that even if you lived in the area, you would not be hanging out with the homies at the bodega until 4am? And you would not be "chillin" in the front of your building smoking weed. And you would not be "starting beef" with your neighbor because "she thinks she is better than me" and "she talks mad sh** about you," etc. I have lived in these kinds of neighborhoods forever, and so long as you don't get involved with the animals, you really will not have a problem, regardless of your race, sex, or where you are from. If you surround yourself with the wrong people and/or do the wrong things, no matter what neighborhood you live in, you will have problems.
The neighborhoods of the Grand Concourse are prime examples of urbinity.
Right now there is a lot of poverty, over the years smart investors will buy. Already happening. Over a longer period this will increase, full on gentrification. As it is, these neighborhoods are built up the best in the Bronx. Most similar to Washington Heights in build.
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