As a contractor still involved in work in NYC we see a new direction all the time. As the average NYC apt. is now 1 Mil. focus is shifting up towards Inwood and will be arriving at the Bronx before we all know it. So those always talking about the Bronx...you want to move back I suggest you start your search because it won't be affordable forever. The Concourse will rise again, renovations will be increbible and so will the pricing. It happened in NYC, Brooklyn and will sure to take place in the Bronx. Get ready people.

DIF49, This is just my personel opinion, but I can't see that happening any time soon, simply because there are just so many people that have already settled in The Bronx, that just cannot afford that type of Housing. And with all due RESPECT to all the wonderful friends on this web board who are still living in The Bronx, I think you would agree Although DIF49, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT [b]HAPPEN SOME DAY !! [/b] TAKE CARE!!

Bring back all the lots and wooded areas that use to be here.Thats what I remember most when I was young,the abundance of open spaces and lots to play in.

I loved the old archery range on the Shore road across the street from the golf courses.

Fishead, the problem with today is, as long as you have MONEY! , you can build ANYWHERE! Up here in Rockland, if your FRONT LAWN is big enough, someone will approach you to try to buy it and put a house up right outside your front window! I wouldn't be surprised if our wonderful elected officials gave someone a permit to build right smack in the middle of Rockland Lake, as long as they came up with enough CASH!! TAKE CARE!!

quote:

Originally posted by Frank M.:
[QB]DIF49, This is just my personel opinion, but I can't see that happening any time soon, simply because there are just so many people that have already settled in The Bronx, that just cannot afford that type of Housing.

That didn't stop it from happening in Brooklyn.

My father had a paint store in Bed Sty Brookyn in 1960 before coming to the Bronx...Look what has happened as far as development in Brooklyn and in very poor neighborhoods....Bed Sty, Dumbo, Clinton Hill, Williamsburg....the developer prey on poor areas with lower income inhabitents who live in undervalued architecture. So you all think it can't happen in the Bronx? What is left after Brooklyn and Queens are all gentfrified? Great buildings, parks, public transportation....undervalued real estate what else could a developer dream for? When has it been hard to displace people who are not affluent? Maybe we should all start buying property now.......DF

A young fellow just contacted me about the Executive Towers bldg. at 1020 Grand Concourse where he was thinking of buying a Co-op apartment. I lived there in 1971....quite some time ago. He just informed me he was outbid for the space which seems to tell me the Bronx is coming back in value. Don't be surprised when prices skyrocket especially on the Concourse....get your investment groups ready it's time to go back to the Bronx....DF

Hey Dif49, That wont be happening. The Bronx is not what it used to be. So many people have destroyed what was once a fantastic borough. You still see garbage on the streets, and rooftops. People walk their dogs on the curb so you have to watch out for the crap. My Mom used to cleanup in front of her door every day. Many of the immigrants, and locals who moved into the Bronx have done her much disrespect.When you have security gates on most of the apartment buildings, there is a problem with the people. Dont blame the Mayor, or Governor. Pride, and dignity comes from the home, not the school, or other places. When people start having traditional families, and men are responsible for their actions, things will change. Men who keep spitting out children without showing responsibility are not men. Woman who put up with these lowlifes are equally to blame. You and I pay in the end with welfare, and other programs. Maybe one day some of these folks will wake up and smell the roses. OHH Yeah, I remember the days when you could walk down the block without worrying who was going to stick you, or shoot you in the back..

Kenny................

Hi all.

Well, it's me. I lost the big 3 bedroom to a higher bidder; but now I'm in the process of buying a co-op in Executive Towers (Grand Concourse at 165th St). A great 2 bedroom/2bath/terrace luxury apartment that would (no joke!) cost me 10X as much in Manhattan. It's close to the IND train 167 ST; or the Lex Line/Woodlawn Express at 161 St... zip into Manhattan.

I've been spending a lot of time in the area and it's really nice.

Joyce Kilmer Park has been completely renovated and looks lovely. A Farmer's Market operates there 2x a week. The Concourse itself is being renovated with "parkland" being put in and two-lane reduction (to make it safer for peds). John Mullaly Park was A BUZZ with families and activities this summer. Executive Towers is a immaculate building.

If I had to make one complaint I'd say that there are no "white tablecloth" restaurants or places to buy nice clothes... but I work in Manhattan so I'll just do it there after work.

Crime? I've been to the police pct websites and crimes against "innocent indivuals" is way down and very low... just like anywhere else in the city.

I'm happy with the neighborhood now... and if it improves I'll be even happier. But I assure you it is NEVER going down again like it was in the 1970's & 80's.

Michael
Curently: East 92 ST, NYC
Next stop: Grand Concourse!

Thanks for the positive report about the Bronx, especially the Concourse.

Herb,

You're welcome.

Maybe it's not as "glamorous" as it used to be (and what is these days?); but the Grand Concourse is a great place to live.

Michael
(very excited)

As I work on my next phase of recovery starting Mon. I have cut back on my online activities and have been resting more. Many online are searching for their youth in the Bronx so it is nice to see a person or persons looking to invest in the future of the Bronx.....nice to see younger people involved. The Bronx will rise again....restored buildings, shops, diverse mixes of people and maybe even great restaurants again. I hope your investment in the Bronx is rewarded as many others have been in other parts of NYC......the Glory years will be back....they always come back it just takes some time....DF

DF,

Thank you for your warm comments.

We all wish you a speedy recovery & our thoughts are with you!

Michael

Oh, I forgot to metntion...

The "Lorelei Fountain" in Joyce Kilmer Park has been completely restored and has been moved to the southern end of the park (161st St) and looks great. It's lovely.

I've also been walking through Franz Seigel Park... it's very nice and clean and well kept.

Michael

To DF and all the other optimists: I went to school in Hoboken, NJ, at Stevens Institute of Technology, aka as Stevens Tech (where I got this nickname). Hoboken was a dump then and for many years thereafter. But you should see it now! Can you spell "Upscale" with how many dollar signs? My old fraternity owns two brownstones near the school, and I bet they could unload those for a seven figure price tag. Admittedly, Hoboken is a small (about a mile square)city, but if it can happen there, it can happen in the Bronx. I would vote on the side of the optimists, although Kenny's summary of the social problems surely reminds us that in aint gonna be easy. It will start with once-upon-a-time areas like the Concourse, and it may take twenty years, but it will happen.

Mambo Pete:

Yes, I remember going to Hoboken as a "lark" once when playing hookey from G Cleveland HS in Ridgewood, NY in early 1980's. We just wanted to see what was in New Jersey! We got off the PATH train and walked to the waterfront... what a mess! Now look at it. Tres chic; and very expensive.

I do think the Grand Concourse will improve... it already has. How could it not? The housing stock is there (huge, solid, luxury apartments) and it's close to Manhattan. That's what propelled Bklyn Hts & Park Slope into "hot" areas. And look at "blah" neighborhoods like Williamsburg/Geeenpoint (Bklyn) and Astoria/LIC(Qns)... they are "hot" now because of closeness to Manhattan. The Concourse is closer and does not have "blah" buildings! So it'll come back... I'm sure of it.

Michael
now: E 92 ST, NYC
next stop: Exec Twrs, GC, Bronx!

Michael,
I had not been back to the Bronx for about 40 years when a friend and I took a ride in December 2002 to look at our old neighborhoods. Mine was across the street from Taft HS and his around 190th St in the Italian neighborhood. We rode the length of the Concourse coming and going and I was pleasantly surprised that it looked as good as it did. So you are right. It's on the way. I wish I could be around to see it, but I'm afraid I'd have to make it into my nineties to do so.
Pete

Pete,

Well, then for my sake, I'm hoping that you turned 89 last November! hehehehe

But, seriously, I think the Concourse is coming back... prob not as "glam" as it used to be; but it will become a solid middle-class area filled with working co-op owners.

Michael