Mt. Vernon extremely run-down (Yonkers, Mount Vernon: crimes, house, neighborhood)

[jcampo13]

Originally Posted by kletter1mann

I think it's fair to say that FHD had migration to the USA in mind. After all, that's the context here. And he's right.

As of the present day he is right. In the context of the 1800's and early 1900's, northern Italy had extremely poor people flooding out of the region's gates. Different countries were marketed to the different regions. The reunification of Italy and the fall of the older empires hit certain regions very hard. Napoleon and this ensuing chaos hit Italy particularly hard. Sorry I got off-topic though. To get back on topic, Mt. Vernon has some beautiful areas and I wouldn't call the whole town extremely run-down. South Mt. Vernon will eventually turn things around, if other neighborhoods have done it, I don't see why Mt. Vernon can't either.

[roskybosky]

The neighborhood I grew up in was indistinguishable from Bronxville, and it was Mt Vernon. Granted, we were only a couple of streets into MtV, but it was as pretty as any Westchester town. Huge trees. As kids, we lived at Scouts field.

One more note on appearances; when hubby & I were looking to move back to Westchester, we looked at about 8-10 areas in different towns. When I suggested we try looking at yet another 'hamlet' he replied, "Why bother? They all look the same!"

He's from Wisconsin.

[ABQConvict]

Scouts Field! I lived there, too! :-) And Hunts Woods from Gramatan over to Pennington.

Ahhh, the good old days.

[7 Wishes]

Originally Posted by ABQConvict

Scouts Field! I lived there, too! :-) And Hunts Woods from Gramatan over to Pennington.

Ahhh, the good old days.

When I was a pre-teen in the late 70s, I'd often after school ride my BMX bike (what they called "mountain bikes" back in those days) through Hunts Woods to Scouts Field and back. Thanks for the memory!

[Karmen1950]

Good old Mount Vernon. Grew up there in the 50's and 60's. Moved to Maryland in the early 70's. My mom lived there until her death in 2002. Lived on Bond Street which was an area that bordered the Bronx. We were within walking distance to 241st street and the El. Very sketchy and much turmoil once the mid 60's approached. I had always heard that at one time they were trying to make Mount Vernon part of the Bronx. I believe that would have been before the 50's. Too bad it's gone so downhill. Still remember some good times. Gramatan Avenue, the park, the circle. Guys racing their cars up Gramatan at night. Great hangout. Mostly Italian/Jewish population where I lived.

[qolspony]

I read most of the posters here and I can't relate to most of them. When I walked from the Bronx to south Mt. Vernon, I didn't think it was all that bad. Yeah! they were few run down places, but it did not make me feel that I was in a bad neighborhood. MV is housing stock is very unique from the North BX and the street grid system is very different. So when I cross the border several times, I knew I just left a different area.

What I like about Mount Vernon the most is that you are within two blocks of the New York City Subway. When you walk further, than you come in contact with the metro north that can be used at the city's center. This is a very attractive feature to me.

I walked mostly on the west southern end. Walking past downtown takes great effort as it is very hilly and my starting point would have at least start downtown. I tried the #2 route and I tired out very quickly after experiencing a great elevation of rolling hills. It is one thing to walk straight up a hill and it is another thing to walk up one hill and down another,etc. This wasn't something I was use to doing and will require some practice. I use to walk from Long Island City to New Jersey and never experience anything like I did when I tried to traverse North Mount Vernon. My legs just gave out on me.

Another thing I like about Mount Vernon is the housing stock. A lot of the stuff in the Bronx is not as authentic. I can see it was built around a time when architecture was appreciated.

Also, I felt safe the whole time I was in MV. All this talk about crime is crazy. But because of the racial demographics of the area, it sounds good. I don't care about sounding good. I like to deal with facts! I lived in heavily crime areas and MV does not fit this example.

There are some areas that could use an upgrade, but you could say that about most places.

About 15 years ago, I got lost. I came out of that shopping center. Instead of heading towards the Bronx, I headed to what is called Pelham Manor. What told me I was in the wrong place, was how it looked. Mount Vernon looks more blue collar.

I didn't spend much time in Pelham Manor, because if it looks this nice, than it is sending me a message that they don't want my kind there. So I head back to the #5 train. Got off the #5 at 125th Street and within 10 minutes, I was sitting in my living room.

PS: Any "Ghetto" becomes an opportunity for me to explore. Coming from Harlem, Mount Vernon is a paradise.

[ThatCareerGuy]

This thread was started in 2012. Eight years later, has Mount Vernon changed much?

I overhead someone from Tarrytown refer to it as "Murder-ville" and "Murder Vernon".

There are some attractive Tudor properties in the area in the northern end of the area (near Cross County Mall).

The taxes are obscenely high, but I always read about how the schools are less than stellar and how the area is less desirable despite the housing stock.

Has that changed since 2012?

[ckhthankgod]

The northern half(and southern eastern third) of Mount Vernon ranges from lower to upper middle class or so. So, the city varies economically and in terms of neighborhoods.

[scatman]

People have always gentrified areas that have had bad reputations, crime-wise. But what exacerbates Mount Vernon's case is 1) the high taxes; and 2) the politics are a piece of work. One example, among many: for the leaders of that city, to this day, have no agreement on fixing Mount Vernon Field; still an empty lot. That is a travesty. And I won't go into the past two mayoral predecessors getting caught up in ethics violations......!

[7 Wishes]

Originally Posted by scatman

People have always gentrified areas that have had bad reputations, crime-wise. But what exacerbates Mount Vernon's case is 1) the high taxes; and 2) the politics are a piece of work. One example, among many: for the leaders of that city, to this day, have no agreement on fixing Mount Vernon Field; still an empty lot. That is a travesty. And I won't go into the past two mayoral predecessors getting caught up in ethics violations......!

This mostly sums it up. Not much changed, though I'd say Fleetwood has become a little bit more gentrified. Rest is the same.