South Bronx/Yankee Stadium Area? (Red Hook, Washington Heights: low income, fit in, section 8)

[lilylight]

Hello,
I'm looking for info on this area of the bronx. My husband's cousin recently bought a co-op 2 blocks away from Yankee stadium and was telling us about this area and what it has to offer. I'm kind of skeptical. We currently rent in Washington Heights and find the area to work fine for us. My husband was born and raised here & we are used to living in a pretty diverse area (although I've read a lot of negative things on here about the Heights). As a newlywed couple in our late 20's making middle class income we are looking to buy something within the city until we are ready to move out in about 5 years rather than throwing it away on rent. We make a decent combined salary but can't seem to afford much around here. I guess I'm just looking for opinions.

-Is this area (around Yankee stadium) as bad as some people have made it out to be?

-If I live in the Heights would it be that much of a difference? Is it worse, about the same?

-Is it worth it to move here (investment wise) or should we keep saving up to move to neighborhood that might be more expensive but pay off more in the long run? (I know this might be too much of a crystal ball question, lol)

If it makes any difference I'm used to the loud music, questionable activities taking place on corners etc etc. Despite this I feel pretty safe in my neighborhood. Any and all opinions/advice welcome. Thanks in advance.

p.s. I've done reasearch on several different areas (ie. riverdale, CT, westchester, jersey, etc) so I'm not looking for lists of other places that we might want to look at instead, more just info on this specific area. thanks

[Hustla718]

You don't want to move into that area. If I were you I would save up for something a lot better. There are MUCH better areas here and in other citys.

I have a lot of knowledge on that neighborhood. You wouldn't want to live there. Not much of anything in the area. Lots of crime. Long commute. No diversity if that's your thing. Not a good neighborhood. No future becuase it's future is what it is now, a low income neighborhood. The city screwed the South Bronx big time. Pretty much every formally abandonded building in that area is designated low income housing. Same with all the new construction. The bulk of the neighborhood is on public assistance. A very poor area.

Riverdale is a LOT nicer, although a long commute. Westchester, Jersey, and CT are a world of a difference.

[theanswer]

The area around Yankee stadium is booming. It is near the subway, close to Manhattan and the co-ops are cheaper. It is a relatively save area. If you lived in Washington heights than this area should not be a problem. On top of that there are courts and allot of civic centers around with allot of police presence. Moderator cut: personal - off topic

[Hustla718]

Originally Posted by theanswer

The area around Yankee stadium is booming. It is near the subway, close to Manhattan and the co-ops are cheaper. It is a relatively save area. If you lived in Washington heights than this area should not be a problem. On top of that there are courts and allot of civic centers around with allot of police presence. .

Moderator cut: personal - off topic

The neighborhood is poor and far from booming. It is a very different area then Washington Heights, WH is a low income immigrant area. Also in the Heights, you have remaining Whites west of Broadway, then the real WH east of it. The area around Yankee Stadium is full of people stuck in generational poverty. Most of the area is low income housing. Even the biggest building on 161 and Grand Concourse is section 8 only. There are no courts and civic centers like the poster above says. He has never even been to the area. The park near the old stadium was destroyed for the new. No knew parkland has replaced it. This was one of the main arguments for the construction. There is Macoobs Park to the north, but nothing else in the area besides that. Police presence is low unless there is a Yankee game, and that is only immidiately around the stadium. Severe PD shortage in the city. That local train station is also a magnant for criminals, since criminal court is only a few blocks away. Many take that train.

Anyway that is my warning to you. I see you also are interested in Riverdale. Great community, just far from Manhattan. Save up for better things. That neighborhood around Yankee Stadium is not worth your time. Jersey, CT, and Westchester also have great opportunities. Good luck.

[NooYowkur81]

Originally Posted by Hustla718

There are no courts and civic centers like the poster above says. He has never even been to the area. Good luck.

Dude you don't know what you are talking about, all the Bronx courts are located right around the Stadium. And during the day there are tons of cops, court officers, etc, walking around that area.

South Bronx is the South Bronx, it's not a great area, but some parts of it are actually pretty decent these days. The immediate area around the stadium is actually a very decent area now, in the year 2007. There are actually some very nice coops and condos around there.

Again it's the South Bronx, if you venture out a little, you will run into some ****ty areas.

Moderator cut: personal - off topic

[Hustla718]

Originally Posted by NooYowkur81

Dude you don't know what you are talking about, all the Bronx courts are located right around the Stadium. And during the day there are tons of cops, court officers, etc, walking around that area.

South Bronx is the South Bronx, it's not a great area, but some parts of it are actually pretty decent these days. The immediate area around the stadium is actually a very decent area now, in the year 2007. There are actually some very nice coops and condos around there.

Again it's the South Bronx, if you venture out a little, you will run into some ****ty areas.

Moderator cut: personal - off topic

There is a small BASKETBALL court immidiately across from the station (not food courts if thats what he ment), part of a small park. The southern half of Macoombs is where they are building the stadium. besides the usual ghetto basketball court and a field there is NOTHING in that area (as though some ghetto ball court is even considered a big deal).

And don't tell me about cops and court officers workign that are you must be kidding. Court officers cover the immidiate area around 161 and the courthouse, you do not see them farther then that. NYPD has a POLICE SHORTAGE. FTU is being ELLIMINATED. 44 precinct has impact, that will be a memory. only on Yankee games do you see cops around 161 and river ave. Its a special detail. all other footpost are furthur up on the drug blocks like marcy place. Of course you see WAY less footpost then there were in 2000ish when impact started.

Moderator cut: personal - off topic

[lilylight]

I've been to the area before for Yankees games but never paid much attention to the surrounding area in terms of a place I might consider living. I guess I'll have to head over to the area one afternoon and check it out for myself. Thanks for the responses. Anyone else?

*edited b/c I hit the send button to soon

[mhogan10010]

While I personally would not want to live in that area for a number of logistical reasons, I would think that it could be a good investment. With the new stadium and some of the plans that Adolfo has for the area, could probably turn a nice profit in 5 years. Remember that the people who bought in Red Hook a few years ago are sitting pretty now.

[Hustla718]

Originally Posted by mhogan10010

While I personally would not want to live in that area for a number of logistical reasons, I would think that it could be a good investment. With the new stadium and some of the plans that Adolfo has for the area, could probably turn a nice profit in 5 years. Remember that the people who bought in Red Hook a few years ago are sitting pretty now.

But Red Hook is industrial with most of the population residing in a huge housing project. Only now you have yuppies living around the formally desolite area.

That area in the Bronx is already an established poverty pocket. Low income housing is everywhere and most is pretty new with no plans of disappearing. And Carrion... That loser doesn't do anything for the Bronx. Just another politician.

[mhogan10010]

Perhaps Red Hook was a bad example. Bed Stuy is probably a little closer to a "possible" scenario for Yankee Stadium area. Only time will tell.