navamsas

It is the last vestige of the old Italian area. It's charming, safe, and oh so quiet. Good restaurants are near and it is diverse. Children and families, Gay/Lesbian, Muslim, and ethnically diverse.
115th-120th between Pleasant and 3rd are absolutely perfect....

East Harlem aka Spanish Harlem is a neighborhood on the rise.

It has had a very negative past and is overcoming its bad reputation. It has its negative areas like all places but is much like Boston's South End in the 1980's...yes ladies and gentleman it is being gentrified.

Slow but surely.

The housing projects are plenty ( they get an undeserved bad rap) but I have never encountered any problems there. Just use common sense...there are plenty of Police and is actually reasonably safe.

My partner and I are gay light skinned men who have lived here for 4 years now. It is perfectly safe for us. It has seen as of late a more young and diverse population renting in the area.

Although mostly Hispanic (formerly Puerto Rican's and Dominican) it has in recent years to my observation greatly become more Mexican and Central American..with urban hipsters, college students, Gay and Lesbian of all ethnicity's and new families with children and diverse incomes resettling the area.

Having lived in L.A, Chicago, Detroit, New Orleans and Boston I must say I really really like the area.

It was rough in the beginning because transportation is challenging.
The 116 bus is not overly reliable and often over crowded.
The 6 is good but overcrowded at times...BUT this is NYC.
You need to work the metro 6. (Take to 125th and switch to the 4 or 5 express)...Its a 15 minute walk from 1st and Pleasant to the 2/3 which is express to the whole West side to Brooklyn.

It's easy to get to La Guardia but a real PIA to get to JFK.

This is my opinion both pro and con as a light skinned gay male (if any ones going to get beat up it's me), and is shared by several other friends who are all diverse. My advise to renters, buyer's and tourists is as follows:

Pleasant Ave to Lexington is safe. It's very nice and has an Italian flavor to it. Go up to 120th but no further. 125th is the frontier...2nd Ave and 3rd from 120th up has a lot of methadone clinics and is not the safest area after 10pm, just use common sense and street smarts. (Good shopping during the daylight hours).
Avoid 125th and Lexington until Malcom X Blvd at night...just avoid it! enough said...
Do not go North of this point if you are lighter skinned, gay/Lesbian or female. It is rough....(not dangerous but definitely enough to really make you hate East Harlem/Harlem) it is the ONLY area in the USA I have never felt welcome in because of my skin color.

Crime is also an issue here. So just be advised.

Best rule of thumb: Any points south of 125th is safe. (Except area I mentioned)..Do not go North of 125th ...YET.

Now for those who are younger or like to go out: the nightlife sucks.
There are some awesome places like Blue Violin and Creole and a few brunch places that are awesome. However this is not the upper East or West side. There is not a lot to choose from and feel comfortable in.

The parks are clean and the streets with their festivals definitely come alive in the spring/summer/ and Fall.

The diversity here is wonderful.( I would not live anywhere else in NYC).

But...but the best part is the rent. You get more bang for your buck. It is so worth it to have a 5' x 7' bathroom! and 1200 Sq feet of living space!

Also, if you are a female you will be fine.

Don't mind a few appreciatory whistles! say thank you and keep walking. Just be safe, situationally aware and late at night have a friend with you.

People, don't be afraid. The people and the neighborhood is very welcoming. Just don't be rigid in your opinions.

Be open, accept that we are all different. East Harlem has shown to me to be a very tolerant, pleasurable and definitely exciting area of NYC to live.

Being on the frontier of change is exciting and has it's pro's and con's.