East Harlem



  

History


Manhattan Indians are the ones who first inhabited East Harlem, giving it the name "Muscoota." East Harlem is comprised of the area that falls north of 59th Street in Manhattan. Because East Harlem contained rich land that was flat, many Manhattan Indians used the land to grow food.

The Dutch slowly began to invade East Harlem as they discovered the rich land. Mynheer Hendrick de Forest was one of the first Dutch traders to eventually settle in the area, much to the disapproval of the Manhattan Indians. Mynheer Hendrick de Forest ultimately built his own home on the land, grew his own food, but had not asked the Manhattan Indians for approval to take the land. After this, other Dutchmen and their wives began to move into the area and take land as well.

As the Dutch continued to settle in this area, tensions grew between the Manhattan Indians and the Dutch. However, war eventually broke out after the Governor of the area had sentenced some of the Manhattan Indians to death. The English then arrived in 1664 and the area began to grow more commercialized.

About 65,000 apartments were created in East Harlem between 1870 and 1910. This strong real estate market created an influx of small businesses, which greatly utilized the strong labor ethic of immigrant workers. As immigrants continued traveling to East Harlem for work, the population continued to grow more diverse with Italians, Germans, and other ethnicities flocking to the area. Today, East Harlem continues to be known as a highly diverse area offering much in the way of cultural arts and music.

Description


East Harlem has traditionally offered affordable housing options for people who want to live in New York without the hefty price tag. There are plenty of low-income housing options available, ranging from government created projects to private businesses offering good deals. There are many mid-rise and high-rise apartment buildings scattered throughout East Harlem.

Residents


Today the population of East Harlem is 110,508 people. In 1950, the population in East Harlem had been 210,000 but has since then dramatically decreased. Many younger people choose to live in East Harlem for the affordable housing it offers. Unfortunately, the city of East Harlem has always traditionally faced high unemployment rates starting at 16%.

Rental Housing


Renting an apartment or studio in East Harlem is considerably cheaper than cities like the Upper West Side or Financial District. Apartments in East Harlem start at $2,000 per month without a doorman and $2,700 per month including a doorman's services. The majority of housing in this area is mid-rise or high-rise apartment buildings.

Fun Stuff


East Harlem is known as the soul of New York with its music scene. Be sure to visit Apollo Theater, one of East Harlem's true gems. Also be sure to visit the Conservatory Garden, one of the most peaceful areas in East Harlem. For a unique experience, be sure to embark on one of the Hip Hop tours which receive rave reviews.