East Harlem

I read someone write only white people were complaining.
So being brown, middle class (immigrant) here is my honest 2 bit. To give you a bit about our background: we are a married, both of us have masters degrees and jobs. We reside in the early 100s. Close enough to UES. We initially lived in a very safe yuppy part of Queens and wanted to see what it felt to live in Manhattan. Being fiscally conservative, we wanted conveniences (in unit washer dryer, dishwasher) yet did not want to blow up our good saving habits. East Harlem fit the bill.

Being close to the subway, getting to and from work (in Manhattan) has always been a breeze. Uber-to Manhattan has been very convenient. We have discovered the trails in Central Park many New Yorkers wouldnt know about, and are thankful for an oasis in the backyard. Access to bodegas and convenient stores where you dont have to pay Manhattan prices is also great.

But thats where the good ends. Is the place clean? NO. Being surrounded by projects (highest concentration in NYC), you are exposed to the people elements. Drugs, loud music, loud arguments and people creating scenes in the middle of the night. Im writing this while the pandemic COVID-19 is going on, and this has given me some unique insights.

While many people have lost their jobs, the projects in East Harlem (took pictures of smoke emanating during my evening run) had the means to "burn their savings and money" by indulging in non-stop fireworks and indulge is something illegal. The projects compete with each other in terms of noise! The demographics is people of color mostly: Blacks and Latinos and many of them indulge in weekend sidewalk parties, occupying space, playing really loud music (mostly annoying) and during the pandemic... they do so without wearing masks. Each time reminding you how these could be super-spreader events. Over 50 people gather for these events and I have noticed how they come from outside driving cars. They also have the time to do drugs, while job losses, savings are a cause of concern. But I have come to realize some communities have their priorities elsewhere instead of education or hustling to move forward... or the safety of their families or neighbors

For a while my building neighbors (in a part-rent stabilized building) thought the pandemic was a political gimmick without any truth to it. I also have neighbors who invite their friends, occupy the building entryway and drink through the night playing loud music, talking trash all without masks. The person is the father of 2 very young daughters. Lets just say my Asian upbringings forbid me from condoning such behavior..we believe every generation needs to give a firm foundation for the next generation to do better. The behavior I wrote about...what example do you set for your young daughters? What does your kid learns when they are 5-6? That its okay to while away your time drinking on the sidewalk?

We've had to call 311, inform the leasing management office to get reprieve from staying awake till sometimes 4-5 am! Again, some people prefer whiling time, disturbing neighbors (maybe unknowingly) thank trying to try and hustle harder. We have noticed they are polite otherwise and its a matter of different perspectives. But a large part of me does not want to be around people who are okay with sub-standard and do nothing about trying to do better. Specially when they have families.

We now have a kid on the way. Our families have visited our apartment, and our Asian parents didn't mince their words about getting out of the locality as soon as we disclosed the news to them. Both our parents have post-doctoral degrees.

The neighborhood is tolerable if you are young, single, newly married. Its a different ballgame with families. Dont get me wrong, neither of us had it easy in life as immigrants. Our parents and us have worked very hard to stand on our two feet. Tomorrow I dont want my kid thinking siting on sidewalks, drinking away to trash talking is leading a normal or good life. IT ISNT. As asians we will always push to strive better and put int the effort. For that reason, this neighborhood doesnt stand a chance for those looking to provide a safe, clean environment for their families.

East Harlem is a very beautiful neighborhood and I've lived here for over 10 years. Most people speaking about crime rates and uncleanliness sound very microagressionist. New York City overall is very dirty it smells strange unless you're in an uber rich neighborhood. Soho reeks of trash in the summer and has rats fighting in trashcans.

Crime rates have decreased and yes some people make you uncomfortable but have some common sense and don't go out at 2 am expecting to meet a lovely person. Also the crime rates and people go for all around the city.

I've met so many lovely people in East Harlem, they stand up and support one another.

You really get the feeling of being in a community, neighbors talk to one another. I was almost hit by a car a few months ago and a few ladies I've never spoken to rushed to help me and yelled at the man driving.

Overall its a beautiful place to live. Lots of restaurants (not just pizza like the rest of the city) chinese, mexican, dominican, italian, and cuban food. The community is diverse and full of life. I love living here.

East Harlem is the last place you want to live. In fact, I'd probably leave the city before I lived here.

Is there culture? Absolutely. Are there good restaurants? Absolutely. Is it safe? Unfortunately, it's not.

This may not be the case forever, but for now this is a neighborhood to avoid. Tourists should not venture out here and renters should look elsewhere. It's just a bad place.

The crime and criminals that lurk and loiter in East Harlem don't necessarily live in East Harlem. Most of them come to East Harlem from the outer boroughs. I don't know why there is, but something about the area invites mischief.

Likewise, not everyone who lives in East Harlem is a criminal. However, the area continues to suffer from high crime rates. A friend of mine is an NYPD officer stationed up there and his stories are sad and horrible.

To its credit, there are some excellent Latin-infused restaurants and cultural significance to the area. Likewise, many brownstones (with some renovation) could become lovely homes. I look forward to the day where it's safe for everyone to explore the potential of this area. Until that day comes, safety concerns will outweigh East Harlem's promise.

East Harlem borders on the affluent Upper East Side, but the two neighborhoods are worlds away from each other – not just because of the differences in residents’ incomes, but in the architecture of the apartment buildings (and housing projects), and outward appearance of shops and restaurants as well.
It’s no secret that neighborhoods that have their share of poverty also have their share of crime, and though the crime rates around here have dropped incredibly in the past decade or so, this neighborhood is not as safe as its neighbor the Upper East Side.
If you are a tourist looking for the scenes of Woody Allen films, you won’t find them here. But you will find a certain charm in these worn-out streets, and you will certainly find some pretty good comida latina at places like Don Pedro’s or Camaradas El Barrio (though don’t expect too much in the way of supermarkets).