Harlem, Manhattan

Harlem begins somewhere around 110th Street or so and ends at about 155th Street. I have never gone all the way up but having lived up by Columbia University, I have ventured as far as 125th Street for some soul food at Sylvia's and experienced wonderful morsels of Southern cuisine.

Another place that I have gone to visit is the Apollo Theater which is where Luther Vandross was discovered although as I hear it he was booed his first time out. Harlem used to be a music hot spot for jazz and was really hopping back in the day. Rents are affordable but safety and crime are still big concerns. Of course, there are some really wonderful doorman buildings about but you have to look a bit to find something that really suits your needs in an area you feel secure in. The lower portion of Harlem is nice as it's by Columbia University which offers everyone a nice venue to visit. It's campus is not to be missed. Shopping in Harlem offers lots of bargains but you won't find many high end goods. The best shopping avenue is 125th Street I hear.

The area is accessible by both train (which goes above ground once it's at 125th Street) and buses of course that run along Broadway and Columbus. Great restaurants abound though. They may be on the small side, but you can get great deals on food, and often they are gotten in places you will want to flock back to.

Harlem is the birthplace of jazz and blues. The Cotton Club and Savoy ballroom were once there and hosted such greats as Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway and Ella Fitzgerald. The Apollo still stands and is a testament to the thriving musical heritage of the Harlem Renaissance. It has long launched the careers of many Motown superstars such as The Jackson Five. On the day of Michael's death mourners laid hundreds of bouquets and cards at its door.

There are many great soul food restaurants with Sylvia's being the most popular for a diverse crowd, including local politicians and celebrities. Former President, Bill Clinton has an office here. Other popular restaurants include Rao's and the Lenox Lounge.

The neighborhood brownstones and churches boast some beautiful architecture but the area is slowly changing the gentrification of the past ten years continues to change its character. While the area is still relatively less expensive that lower parts of Manhattan, prices have been creeping upward as new buildings are developed and old ones gutted and renovated. There is also a real family feel to the area, although it will be necessary to exercise some caution with regard to selecting an apartment. Ask current residents about safety and crime before deciding on any one place. The apartments are larger than downtown, most offering large windows, hardwood floors, and high ceilings. Columbia University is a quick walk south but be careful coming home after dark.

The area is served by the 2 and 3 express trains, while those residents in the middle of the neighborhood also having easy access to the 4 and 5 on the east side. There is also a Metro North subway stop on 125th Street making a weekend country escape easy if you don't have a car.

Although Harlem is a historic area, famous for its contributions to African-American culture, music, and government. At the same time, it is also well known for its crime. Luckily, since 1990, crime has dropped dramatically from its peaks in the 1970s and 80s but remains one of the less safe parts of New York City.

Harlem has a lot to offer. The rents are affordable because the area is far from downtown and is not as nice as the rest of Manhattan. At the same time, if you are looking for affordable housing in one of the most expensive cities in the world, Harlem is a good place to look. Harlem is a very big neighborhood so to categorize it in one way is unfair. It has good areas and not-so-good areas so inquire beforehand.

For tourists, Harlem offers a ton of historic landmarks such as the Apollo Theater, Museum of New York, and Sylvia's Soul Food. This is one of the centers of African-American culture going back to the early 20th century and even a simple stroll down Astor Row (135th Street) can be educational.

If you are street smart and have lived around the city for some time, you should be right at home but Harlem, largely for its reputation, can be a little scary for visitors, even locals.

Harlem is famous for great music but also for its crime rate. While there is still more crime in Harlem than in many neighborhoods in Manhattan, it has dropped significantly in recent years. And so much music was born in these blocks in the northern part of Manhattan that it gives me goose bumps whenever I'm there. The Cotton Club and the Savoy Ballroom used to be there, and Duke Ellington once walked the streets. The Apollo still stands as a testament to the vibrant arts community that thrived during what has become known as the Harlem Renaissance. It's still exciting to see a show at the Apollo and just imagine what it must have been like back in the day. If you like soul food, you can find great restaurants in Harlem, too.

Even though it's famous as an African-American neighborhood, that is a 20th century phenomenon, and the name of Harlem actually comes from the early Dutch settlers. Some fascinating architecture remains, and there are some great churches as well.

Modern day gentrification has been gradually taking place for more than ten years now. New apartments resulted, and prices went up. It's still a less expensive neighborhood than the majority in Manhattan, and there's a real family atmosphere. Just be careful about the immediate vicinity where you decide to move. Ask around about its safety before you sign a lease.

Harlem is one of the richest neighborhoods in Manhattan for history and culture. Since before the Jazz Age, it has been a hotspot of breakout talent in the black community. You could spend the day here just wandering from one historical landmark to the next, encompassing nightclubs and neighborhood staple restaurants. The spirit lives on in cultural stalwarts like the Apollo Theater.

Streets of old-world brownstones alternate with streets of more modern apartment buildings. Incredibly authentic ethnic restaurants mix with familiar American chain restaurants. Bargain boutiques mingle with chain stores and conveniences like drugstores and supermarkets. It’s safe to say Harlem has all you could ask for, including very affordable rents, but many residents say the best thing about the neighborhood is the community itself – the children who play outside, the parents who sit and talk while watching them.

Still, the crime factor cannot be neglected. Many parts of Harlem, unfortunately, just are not safe. This explains the low rents. Many young professionals are willing to take their chances to score brownstones for less than anywhere else in Manhattan, but you have to be careful about where you’re looking to live – or visit. Harlem can be an amazing New York experience with some caution.

Harlem has been "the next" great neighborhood for the last fifteen or so years. When you look at it on paper, it's easy to understand why.

The brownstones are absolutely beautiful, and Harlem has more than almost any area. Apartments are also spacious, even three bedroom apartments are affordable and generally very nice--big windows, hardwood floors, high ceilings.

Also, most of Harlem is accessible via the 2,3 express trains, and some lucky Harlem residents live between the 2, 3 express trains and the 4,5...the perfect position between the East and West subway lines. Metro North trains make country escapes easy, and 125th Street also leads to the George Washington Bridge and the RFK Bridge.

Affordable, convenient....great food spots like Sylvia's, Rao’s, and Lenox Lounge, an incredibly rich history with cultural significance? What's not to love? Even Bill Clinton has an office here.

Well, there's a flip side to Harlem. There's still crime, some violent crime, and inevitable racial tentions resulting from gentrification. Most of this is secluded to certain areas, but senseless crime waves can strike anywhere.

There are wonderful places to live and wonderful places to visit. Standard city safety rules apply, however, and tourists are encouraged to keep south of 135th Street.

As a person who has lived in Harlem for almost five years, I can tell you what it’s like to live there as someone whose family is not from there.

Realize, first, that not all parts of Harlem are the same. The areas by Central Park are gentrified and are very similar to residences on the Upper West Side. Places farther north are less nice, but there are Starbucks as far north as 145th St.

The best part of Harlem is the people. I love love love how everyone lounges outside the moment the weather gets over 40 degrees. People sit around and watch their kids play and talk and play music and illegally grill things on the street. It’s extremely loud music, though. So if you are bothered by loud neighborhoods, Harlem is not for you. People are also willing to talk to you like they know you, which is odd for New York. There’s also a great sense of family and neighborhoody-ness here. People ARE Harlem.

With all those wonderful things, there are things that I don’t love. Some people (a very, very small minority) are resistant to outsiders and let their feelings be known. I know there’s a lot of resistance to gentrification and I understand the reason for those feelings, but I need an affordable place to live as much as everyone else. Second, for some reason, littering is acceptable here. There are chicken bones and candy wrappers and broken bottles everywhere on the streets in the morning.

But the pros of Harlem far outweigh the cons. In Harlem, you can find nice, affordable housing in a fun neighborhood.

Undoubtedly rich in history, this neighborhood has attracted all shapes and ethnicities in recent years, as the real estate here is both attractive and affordable - at least by New York standards. The area is traditionally and historically a place of African American roots, but it has become something of a melting pot because of the attraction the real estate offerings hold over everyone - and the further north you go (naturally) the cheaper the offerings are.

Crime rates have dropped quite a bit in recent years, making the neighborhood even more appealing to bargain hunters.

Not a lot of New Yorkers know this, but the Riverbank State Park is home to an olympic-sized pool that costs a whole $2 to use. It's over the Hudson River and part of a huge sports complex that also includes a running track and a soccer field. Now you know where to go if you need to train for the Olympics, or just want a day away from Manhattan traffic to do some sports and recreating. Harlem is important for many reasons historically, but what strikes me most when I walk around in the area is the high number of churches and other places of worship. One of the most famous is the Abyssinian Baptist Church near 138th Street, which produced some of the most prominent ministers to come out of Harlem. Another institution of sorts is Sylvia's Soul Food Restaurant at Lenox Avenue and 126th Street. Unfortunately it is over-run with tour buses these days, so if you want to enjoy your fried chicken and collard greens in peace, you should go late at night. Probably the best time to try is after Sunday service at the Abyssinian Baptist Church, and then you can get a pretty good feel for what Harlem is.

The other Harlem is the one you'll hear about from the real estate agents, since this area is a prime destination for young professionals who can't afford rents in lower Manhattan and want to take advantage of the easy commute to downtown. Although Harlem is gentrifying quickly, the base population is still a solid, middle class African American demographic that has deep cultural roots here that harken back to the days of the Harlem Renaissance. A lot of people say Harlem is now in a second Renaissance, and former president Clinton setting up his office in the area did a lot to revive interest in the last few years.

Harlem is a major center of African American culture, and has held that position since the early 1900's. The area remains predominantly black, despite a major uptick in the rate of gentrification since the middle 1990's, with young non black professionals moving in to take advantage of the affordable housing options and relative ease to commute into central Manhattan. Harlem includes the distinct areas of Hamilton Heights, Sugar Hill, and Manhattanville in the West, plus Spanish Harlem in the East. It is hard to talk about Harlem without mentioning some of the stages of its development that have made it a renown place worldwide, such as the birthplace of jazz, and of the Harlem Renaissance and its role as a center of the civil rights movement. The Apollo is a performance venue everyone has heard of, but there are also dozens of small local cafes and bars that hold poetry slams and open mics, keeping alive the tradition of spoken word and hip hop that has come out of Harlem over the years. One of my favorite things about walking around on a Sunday morning in Harlem is that you can hear the singing of Sunday choirs spill out onto the streets. It seems like every other building along the rows of brownstones is some small congregation or house of worship, and the music is fantastic.

While Harlem is still a little on the sketchy side in many areas, it's definitely up and coming. The entrance to Harlem, so to speak, is marked with the Cathedral of Saint John of the Divine. No matter what, if any, faith you are or have, this Cathedral is an experience that should be had. It is the largest cathedral in the world and it is so, so beautiful. Besides the magnitude of this place (and the fact that it's been under construction for the last 100+ years) there are a couple of events in this Cathedral that are so New York: in May, there is the blessing of the bikes (bring your bike to be blessed against accidents) and in the fall, it's the blessing of the pets (same idea with animals).
Lenox Lounge is another must-see if you're going to be in Harlem. It's one of the nicer bars in Harlem and it has a rich history; John Coltrane and Billie Holiday performed there.
And, finally the Hungarian Pastry Shop is a Harlem staple. UWS artists and Columbia kids mostly hang there now, but many a famous book has been written in those walls.
The neighborhood is culturally rich and very diverse because of recent gentrification. It's definitely worth going; but, it's still a little dangerous.

From the moment the staid, white-bread Upper East Side streets turn into signs for "Fredrick Douglass Boulevard" and "Malcolm X" boulevard, a traveler comes to realize he's not in Kansas anymore. Diverse, energetic, and thriving, this mostly-black neighborhood has been a byword for black culture since the days of the Harlem Renaissance, when poets like Langston Hughes and institutions like the Apollo Theatre came to define generations of black culture. While in following decades the neighborhood has garnered a reputation for drugs and crime, its recent gentrification (heralded by Bill Clinton choosing to hold his postpresidential offices there) has given the home of the Renaissance a second rebirth. From stalwart institutions like Sylvia's Soul Food restaurant and the gospel choices to the new Marriott in the cards, Harlem has a lot to offer.

Charming it isn't. The buildings are mostly new and not particularly nice - with the exception of a collection of recently-restored lovely brownstones, the signs are neon, and the streets are often crowded with vendors selling everything from incense to fruit and everything in between. But the lively chaos of this neighborhood is nevertheless worth seeing and perfectly safe to live in. That said, while the area is multi-ethnic, Caucasian residents or visitors are still very much in the minority, and the recent "gentrification" movement has caused some tensions between the existing black community and a generally more affluent community that is seen by some as "invading" the neighborhood and depriving it of its historic character.

You cant say Harlem with out talking about the Apollo which is legendary and a must see whether you live in Harlem or not. Harlem is mostly African American and the people are very friendly. What i gotta say that i live is some of the oldr more classic building that just make me think about what Harlem must have been like 40 years ago. Its a mixture of people alot of new working class singles live their as well as many middle class families. You wont have to look far for good food. Melba's on 114th St has the best chicken and waffles hands down their worth breaking your diet and also Silvia'restaurant has such good soul food. There are even some decent lounges like Body which has a nice singles crowd.
There are great shopping places on 125th. Some new building are being built that really fresh and modern. Harlem basically has everything you want great food culture and affordable real estate.

This is Harlem, New York and I used to live here 30 years ago. When I lived there it wasn't so nice. Abandoned buildings were everywhere and there was a lot of drug use going on in the area. Today, however, it is a beautiful place to live. There are now lots of beautiful tree lined streets with expensive brownstones. If you walk 3 blocks you are on 125th street where the famed Apollo Theater resides, amonst a big shopping area. There is always a high presence of police in the area which tends to make you feel safe. 122nd street runs from east to west, starting at Broadway and ending at Second avenue. The night life in New York City is spectacular. There is alwasy something to do, weather it be shopping or partying. I would really consider living there again.

Harlem has truly secured its iconic status over the years due to the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s, numerous movies – like Shaft and Jungle Fever, yet Harlem is most prominently known for one thing: Jazz.

Home to legendary jazz clubs like the Apollo Theater, the Cotton Club, and Minton’s Playhouse; make Harlem an impressive jazz community. Equally impressive are the historic theaters, such as the Harlem Suitcase Theater and the National Black Theater.

When people think of Harlem, they for the most part think of supper clubs, rib joints, cafés, and taverns, but interestingly enough, Harlem contains many of Manhattan’s most elegant homes. The 1802 home of Alexander Hamilton can be found at 87 Covenant Avenue. The City College campus nearby is also a great place to check out some of the area’s finest, including Harris Hall and Shephard Hall.

Do not leave Harlem without visiting Sylvia’s Soul Food for authentic mac and cheese, okra, and black-eyed peas. Sylvia herself still presides over this amazing restaurant in the heart of Harlem. The eatery takes up an entire city block and seats over 450 people! I recently discovered that Sylvia sells some of her products online at www.sylviassoulfood.com.

Harlem is famous for that Renaissance they had back in the twenties and thirties, but don’t expect to find some bursting bohemian bubble. When my old roommate and I were looking for apartments, she claimed she couldn’t move there because she wouldn’t feel safe walking around at night.
There has been gentrification going down in Harlem since the middle of the previous century, but the area remains predominately black. That is certainly not to say this neighborhood equals some kind of certain death – the crime rates in the previous decade have improved almost nine fold in some cases. No, there aren’t any crack wars in Harlem currently, but it’s not as safe as a more affluent neighborhood.
That being said, there is plenty in this neighborhood that would appeal to a visitor, especially one with an appreciation of the neighborhood’s varied and rich history (Sylvia’s Soul Food restaurant certainly comes to mind).

Harlem is one of the most famous neighborhoods in New York City and has been home to Duke Ellington, Langston Hughes, and most recently the site of Bill Clinton’s humanitarian organization. With a wonderful history and dynamic present, this neighborhood has seen a rebirth in recent years, making it one of the most attractive places to live in Uptown Manhattan. Once owned by Dutch settlers, Harlem is now home to a diverse cross section of people. Real Estate in Harlem is affordable and unique, with many multiple level family homes as well as beautiful brownstones located along Striver’s Row. Due to an abundance of well-maintained apartments and accessibility to midtown Manhattan as well as the other boroughs of New York City, Harlem is a desirable location for professionals and families alike. The history of Harlem is a major reason why this neighborhood is amongst the most popular to visit in the city. A predominantly African-American neighborhood, Harlem is perhaps best known for its renaissance in the early twentieth century, which brought great music and art to the hallowed neighborhood. Successful and affluent Blacks lived and entertained in the neighborhood’s now famous streets. The Apollo Theater and the Cotton Club are world renown venues at which some of the most talented performers of modern times lent their gifts to fans of jazz, R&B, Doo-Wop, and Soul music. “Soul Food” restaurants, African stores and shops, not to mention many chain retail stores now line the main drag of 125th Street. Following a brief period of economic decline, Harlem is again a bustling and prominent section of Manhattan. The neighborhood is vibrant and offerings of every variety are plentiful. Other sites in the neighborhood include the Harbor Conservatory, Astor Tow, Morningside Park, The Harlem School of the Arts, and the world famous Sylvia’s Soul Food Restaurant. From the past to the present, Harlem has been and continues to be a wonderful tribute to art, music, and city living.