is harlem, nyc a bad unsafe neighborhood?

Answer 1

First off, ignore the first poster. Harlem is a neighborhood, but its so much more...its a state of mind.

Originally, it was its own village when New York was founded, then as development went about, it slowly became incorporated into what is now New York. Demographics have changed since inception, but by the end of the Civil War, Harlem became the premiere african-american new york neighborhood.

Many cultural institiutions and history is in Harlem including the Apollo Theatre, Marcus Garvey Park, Bill Clintons' Office, and really so much more. The geography is actually a huge plain that was key in setting up manhattan's early farming community. Not only that, the architecture is still very much the same it was a century ago, with many brownstones being fixed up.

During the 1970's and possibly earlier, crack hit the streets and it affected the african community the hardest. Tie this together with the City's financial status dropping and all the middle class families moving out, and well, Harlem became a stronghold for crime and despair. HOWEVER, many families stayed and continued to keep the flame of Harlem lit.

By the mid-90s, NYC began changing for the better and people moved back. As such, real estate prices shot through the roof and one of the few places left to live in manhattan as a middle class citizen was either Harlem or Washington Heights . With more money, the neighborhood began rebuiliding and renewing, however, crime and old-racist attitudes still exist among the old timers.

Harlem is a great place and is as safe as any other place. The importatnt thing to know is that crime will happen anywhere, it all depends on how aware you are of your surroundings and to not appear as either a tourist or someone who doesnt care about the history.

i lived in harlem on 130th street for a year before moving to Washington Heights (im originally from queens). Harlem was a great experience as i got to learn the history, see the history, and improve and learn from my black brothers and sisters.

let me put it this way, if your concept of new york city is times square or Macy's Herald Square, you wont want to live in harlem. harlem is real new york, one of the few places that hasnt been overly gentrified, but only time will tell whether this holds true.

At the very least, visit 125th street (black broadway) and get a taste of the flavor of Harlem.....oh yea, remember that Harlem is very much different than East Harlem aka "el barrio" or the puerto rican enclave.

Answer 2

harlem is not a neighborhood; its a section in manhattan.

harlem at one time was a bad section, but today harlem is making huge improvements. more stores are opening and former president bill clinton has an office in the heart of harlem.

Answer 3

No it is not ,it is very safe and nice down there.Come visit sometime...