Have faith: Harlem will grow despite the downturn

HarlemGuy

New York Magazine reports that the Harlem real estate market in experiencing a severe downturn.  

While this is true there is also plenty of evidence that Harlem will continue to adapt, grow and thrive in a number ways.  This is Manhattan.  There will always be an over-supply of people looking for affordable housing.  Harlem is on the island of Manhattan.  Which means no long/expensive commutes on subways or trains between boroughs.  This is Harlem.  Despite it’s description as a less than desirable “ghetto” by an uninformed guest on a recent Chelsea Lately show, it’s a cool place to live, steeped in history, full of life and culture, and full of local flavor which is refreshing in what is fast becoming a “big box store” world”.   It’s also full of entrepreneurs who have and will continue to make their way to Harlem and try new culinary, retail and lifestyle experiences that will further enhance the neighborhood.  

Every time I walk the streets of Harlem – and I do so regularly, I am simply amazed at the variety of people and cultures.  I love living here.  I have always loved it here.  That’s why I moved here.  That’s why I intend on staying here.  And I look forward to helping our community grow, one penny at a time – if that’s what it takes.

Author: HarlemGuy

4 thoughts on “Have faith: Harlem will grow despite the downturn

  1. I think in the end the residents of Harlem will be more satisfied with a slower, more organic growth than a hyped up, out-of-control-gentrification-on-steroids growth.

  2. Harlem is convenient, steep in history, and has beautiful parks and architecture. Columbia and City College’s expansions will bring much needed jobs and students (disposable income) to the area. The best is yet to come. Developers are out of their mind if they are giving up on Harlem. The smart ones will continue to invest in this amazing area.

  3. Agreed, HarlemGuy. There are a lot of broader trends that will work favorably — and inexorably — during the years ahead. It’s obvious that people have a lot of trouble seeing past the dense fog of short-term thinking. “Recency bias” prevents a lot of folks from being able to see past the current conditions — be they boom or bust.

    Life will go on. People will continue doing what they always do. And the urban landscape of Manhattan will continue to grow and develop in ways that are quite dramatic when appreciated in the fullness of time.

    Change is the one constant that we can be quite sure of.

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