Bronx/Riverdale



  

History


During the late 1600s and 1700s, most of the Bronx borough was made up of small farms. The rural farms often supported the economy of the larger city life. During the late 1800s, Bronx began to change in immense ways. Trolley lines were built in the area during the 1890s, and many more people had access to the Bronx. The Bronx began to grow into a railroad suburb.

In 1914, Bronx County was established. Prior to its establishment, Bronx County had actually been part of Westchester County. The Bronx received its name due to a sea captain that occupied the area in 1639 and created a private farm. The man's name was John Bronck.

Throughout the 1900s, the Bronx became a home to immigrants from around the world. In particular, during the Prohibition Era the Bronx was renowned for being a major supplier of alcohol. Irish, Italian, Jewish, and German immigrants make up the majority of the population in the Bronx. In the late 1990s, the Bronx also saw an influx in the number of Hispanic immigrants moving to the area. Today, the Bronx is known as a melting pot of diverse culture and offering some of the most affordable housing throughout New York.

Description


The borders for the Bronx include the East River and Harlem River, in addition to Long Island Sound and Westchester County. There are two major divisions in Bronx County. The two divisions are West Bronx and East Bronx. West Bronx contains all parts of the Bronx that are west of the Bronx River. East Bronx contains all parts of the Bronx that are east of the Bronx River. Riverdale is part of West Bronx. During the 1800s, many of the top businessmen in Manhattan built their fortunes through estates in Riverdale.

Residents


About 48,000 people live in Riverdale in West Bronx. Riverdale is a more upscale part of the Bronx. Many high-powered business professionals choose to live in Riverdale for the affordable rent. Typically highly educated people live in Riverdale for its access to the busy city life downtown. The median income for those living in Riverdale is $61,000. The median income throughout all of New York is $38,000, which means that those living in Riverdale make about $22,000 above the state average income.

Rental Housing


In Riverdale, typical one-bedroom apartments run anywhere from $1,200 to $2,000. There are quite a few one-bedroom apartments in the $1,200 to $1,600 range that also feature the security of a doorman. There are also luxury mansions which can be rented. Typically, rental mansions go anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000 per month. Real estate in Riverdale has been increasing in value over the decades. Currently, luxury apartments sell for anywhere between $2 million to $4 million dollars.

Fun Stuff to Do


Riverdale is often described as a quiet and exclusive neighborhood. That being said, there are plenty of restaurants and bars to enjoy for such an area. One of the best restaurants in the area is Jack's Steak House. Also, many people choose to commute to Manhattan for fun things to do on the weekend, since the commute is less than 10 minutes with the subway.