Nos Vecinos...

A Few (yeah right) Words About Our Neighborhood and its Inhabitants:

For those of you who may be concerned about the area where we are currently staying, and are about to be living for the next year, let me give you the low-down on "the Heights." Then, hopefully, some of your worries may be calmed.

Now, I am not under any false presumptions that the area we are in is a super-safe, high-class, white-picket-fence, leave-your-doors-unlocked kind of place. However, we have been here for almost three-weeks now, and although some call this area "Harlem" and get very nervous that all sorts of ill fates await us, we have come to know the neighborhood as a safe-enough place to live and feel comfortable. (I say safe-enough because, it is New York...just like any big city there is going to be a need for some extra caution and vigilance.)

This area is mainly populated with families. Lots and lots of Dominican families to be more accurate. There are some college age students here and there, you see some young professionals in business suits and a varied mix of races, but predominantly there are Spanish-speaking families with several small children running and chasing each other about, wearing I ♥ DR t-shirts.

Walking up the street at night is not scary, although it does come with some cat-calls and teasing, it is never threatening (and the older gentlemen and tweleve-year-old boys do have the courtesy to leave you alone if you are walking by yourself...it is a game to them, not a scare tactic). It can get to be annoying when you are schlepping yourself and some bags up the street after a sweaty, stuffy subway ride and you know you look ten kinds of raggedy, but the older Domincan men still sit in groups by the bodegas (small neighborhood 'markets') and say "Oh, God Bless You..." LOL

There are always so many people hanging out at all hours that we feel very comfortable being out and about after dark. Most people are gathering to chat on a bench after a long days work, or to play cards with their neighbors while their kids play tag. It feels like it is still summer with everyone staying up late to hang out (it makes me want to play kick-the-can so badly).

So, those are our neighbors. Now, for the neighborhood itself...

The area from 123rd street to 155th is known as two smaller neighborhoods that border Harlem, Washington Heights (to the north where we are now) and Hamiliton Heights (to the south by where our new apt. is).

Although these areas are not high income neighborhoods, they have gone way up in value over the last few years. This is due to the gentrificatioin of the area. Builders and companies are starting to pay more attention to potential in these areas and have begun renovating older buildings and putting in more "corporate America" type of shops (Starbucks, etc... though sadly not near enough to us... lol).

What this all means is that the neigborhood is in a transistion period. It is becoming more and more commercialized... which, while bad for mom and pop shops, is good for developement and typically leads to better public safety.

Here is a site to check out for more info on the area. http://nymag.com/realestate/articles/neighborhoods/hamiltonwashington.htm

It also provides insight as to why we are excited about the cost of our rent. The avg. rent for two-bedroom in this area in 2001 was $1,200-$1,500. In 2003 the avg. rent was $1,300-$3,500!!! ($3,500!!!!) So, really, our rent is a steal.

Plus, you cannot beat living IN Manhattan and having a subway stop ON your block. Literally, just three buildings away. :) :) :) :)

I can't wait to move in!!! We were getting to know our street a little better last night and noticed a group of Dominican guys hanging out on the stoop next-door. Em and I were thinking that we should bring down some cookies or snacks para nos vecinos when we move. hahaha. What must the think of us two, attached-at-the hip white girls wandering all over their neighborhood?