3rd ave at 97th st?? (New York, Mount Sinai: apartments, crimes, houses)
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Is this area safe? Are the projects near there dangerous? I'm considering an apartment there but it's right across the street from the projects. I visited during the day. One block down was fine with a bunch of strollers and yuppies but none of them seemed to go above 96th. I'd assume it's ok though, right?
When I was growing up in Queens we always called Manhattan "the city" lol. We would also sometimes refer to East 96th Street as the "Berlin Wall." The same could have been said about West 125th Street: though we didn't.
The significance of East 96th Street has deep roots in history. Carnegie Hill ends and you enter a more undesirable valley. Blame a glacier on that one!
Likewise, it's the point where the New York Central railroad (now the Metro North) came above ground, making teh area less desiarble. After WWII in the name of the failed policy of urban renewal, East Harlem (north of 96th) was ruined with housing projects.
Pretty much every part of the city has improved since 1990. East Harlem is somewhat better and the immediate 3 blocks north of 96th have become decent, whereas that wasn't the case before. But the huge number of housing projects in east harlem prevent true gentrification.
In a word: 97th is fine. It seems like a nice street. The people in the closeby housing projects seem to know the deal. I say go for it: just focus your entire life on "the South" / And what a great South it is!
Yes, I believe you are referring to the NYCHA Washington Houses at 97th & 3rd. While not providing for the best views, it's not really known as a danger in the neighborhood. This stretch of 97th is very close to the 96th border of the UES, and it's not as transitional an area as are blocks further to the north.
Not all NYCHA developments are dangerous, but it does pay to be careful, especially when relocating to a new area. I have friends who live in a nice building in Chelsea, near the NYCHA projects and they have never had an issue with the projects being a blight on the neighborhood, nor have I noticed anything when I have been there at all hours of the night. The only thing might be noted is that there might be an uptick in property crimes, say against vehicles, but that's usually because the superblocks tend to isolate the streets a bit more than would regular apartment or brownstone type development, not as a direct result of the residents of the apartments. I am not an expert on NYCHA projects, but in neighborhoods that are generally safe, the projects peacefully coexist with the rest of the area. I would not be afraid of the 97th St border, in particular, since it's not deep into East Harlem, which is more transitional right now.
That said, I would tend to not recommend walking too far to the north, unless you head west, over towards Mt. Sinai and 5th Avenue. And, on the other side of the projects, you have the hospital, so it's a pretty busy area with all sorts of people and I think you'll be fine.
sitcom in the 70's Archie had lost his job and was seeking employment at an employment agency. When they told him they had a job for him that paid something like $2-3 an hour (this was back in the 70's) he sarcastically asked "where is it in Puerto Rico?" and the counselor told him "close, it's on 97th street and 3rd Avenue"
No racial things intended, it's just that Archie has been a topic here and i recall that intersection being mentioned on that particular show
I live on 89th and 2 ave-i walk by that area almost every day. it is FINE. there are some projects, but projects people wont eat you! they are not dangerous, i meet them in bars and restaurants all the time. the area is very good and is developing pretty fast. you will be happy there
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30 years ago...
