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In July 1967 my family moved from CA to NYC. My father was to attend Columbia U for two years to earn his Doctorate. We were mother, father and 5 children (!). I was 13 and the oldest.
We moved into a university-housing 2 bedroom apt on 121st St between Broadway and Amsterdam. Cramped? Oh yeah, but so exciting to be in the big city. I attended 8th grade at the local PS on 125th St. I don't think my clueless parents knew that was Harlem, but no matter, the school was pretty good. And I learned what it's like to be in a minority! For 9th grade I attended The Calhoun School (all girls) on the UWS near Riverside. There were daughters of celebs there. It was a very different experience from the year before.
I got to walk past Columbia (I think on Broadway) when the students had taken over some of the buildings. Some of them sat on the window ledge, their legs dangling over the side. They had a bucket on a pulley so that people on the street could send up food.
One day my girlfriend and I took the subway to the Village to go to Cafe Wha? even though we had been expressly told not to. We got in trouble, but it was worth it, haha.
I hung out with fellow University-related friends, and also non-University-related friends on 122nd street. We were white, black, and Puerto Rican and you know what? We didn't see color or race. We were all just kids and we got along great.
I have other stories, but this is long enough. I love reading this forum and remembering those 2 wonderful years in NYC. I'm a little jealous of those of you who are still lucky enough to be living there. Thanks for walking with me.
Do you remember your building number on 121st Street? I'm a grad student at Columbia and I'm living on 121st between Broadway and Amsterdam right now. But I'm in a building that's only 4-5 years old. It's the only new building on the block, though, all of the others look to be the original old apartment houses.
I kind of like this neighborhood's quiet, studious vibe. Plus the church bells on Sunday mornings from the cathedral a couple blocks away are kind of nice.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JenniferLynn
In July 1967 my family moved from CA to NYC. My father was to attend Columbia U for two years to earn his Doctorate. We were mother, father and 5 children (!). I was 13 and the oldest.
We moved into a university-housing 2 bedroom apt on 121st St between Broadway and Amsterdam. Cramped? Oh yeah, but so exciting to be in the big city. I attended 8th grade at the local PS on 125th St. I don't think my clueless parents knew that was Harlem, but no matter, the school was pretty good. And I learned what it's like to be in a minority! For 9th grade I attended The Calhoun School (all girls) on the UWS near Riverside. There were daughters of celebs there. It was a very different experience from the year before.
I got to walk past Columbia (I think on Broadway) when the students had taken over some of the buildings. Some of them sat on the window ledge, their legs dangling over the side. They had a bucket on a pulley so that people on the street could send up food.
One day my girlfriend and I took the subway to the Village to go to Cafe Wha? even though we had been expressly told not to. We got in trouble, but it was worth it, haha.
I hung out with fellow University-related friends, and also non-University-related friends on 122nd street. We were white, black, and Puerto Rican and you know what? We didn't see color or race. We were all just kids and we got along great.
I have other stories, but this is long enough. I love reading this forum and remembering those 2 wonderful years in NYC. I'm a little jealous of those of you who are still lucky enough to be living there. Thanks for walking with me.
Wow, a new building on 121st St? That surprises me. I don't remember our street number, but the building was (is) called Bancroft. It was much closer to Amsterdam than Broadway and had a nice courtyard in the front.
It was a good place to live and I'm glad you're enjoying it, too.
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