Sean+Martin+Annual+Project

Sean Martin **Gentrification In East Harlem**


 * Over an extensive period of time, the East Harlem landscape has changed, both in culture and from economical standpoint. The main question here is whether it has changed in a positive or negative manner? Also, how has gentrification affected the East Harlem community? Many Puerto Ricans and those less fortunate have moved out of East Harlem due to the rising costs of living. There has been a shift in what was once a predominately Black & Latino neighborhood towards a diversified community where there are now more Whites living in East Harlem than ever [|before]. These newcomers have also brought in an injection of funds into the community that has helped local small businesses. There has been a change in the population of the community and it has become more diverse.**


 * Many Puerto Ricans have moved out and settled into areas outside of New York, which include Orlando, Florida, New Jersey and Connecticut in search of reasonable rents and better costs of living.**
 * Part of the reason why there has been such a large exodus is because the rent has become unaffordable to them, yet quite affordable to the rich and upper class that are now moving in.**
 * Many states outside of New York offer less taxing and because of it, it is an incentive to leave in order to be able to pay fewer taxes. Hispanics and Blacks feel pushed and moved out of their own neighborhood because their population is declining.**

[|this]is an example of how outrageously prices of apartments have increased, which contributes to the cause of Puerto Ricans moving out.

[|this] website proves to you that even though gentrification can have a negative effect businesses and boutiques can definitely benefit from white and upper class people.
 * Another reason gentrification has effected East Harlem is that it has improved grocery stores and other small businesses. For example, Costco has improved sales and businesses. Since this has happened they are able to donate money to different organizations and charity's. Another positive affect is Costco has had on the community is that they accept food stamps. This is very helpful to people that live off the government because now theres a bigger option to shop for foods without worrying about how much money your going to spend. Another store such as Target is making a change by putting a Eco-friendly Garden right next to the East River Plaza Mall. Which show that they dont only care about people buying, but helping the [|earth].**


 * Gentrification in East Harlem has also experienced a diverse change in the population. This is because there are more condos available between 96th street and 125th street. The retailers make these apartments more attractive so that they make sure the upper class and other cultures come in to experience living in East Harlem. When there are less Latin Americans and more cultures of them selves such as people from Mali, Russia, Egypt, India, and South America. They feel more secure and at home. Also these condo were more downtown and are now moving up so when this occurs more and more, mix populations begin to interact and then eventually the message spreads about new beautiful homes and the population expands. Therefore, the community becomes more [|diverse].**


 * Concluding about gentrification in East Harlem we are now experiencing a new vibe and culture diffusion. In my personal opinion I believe that gentrification is good because even though there is a negative affect there is also a positive. Its also good to try new things in life and its better to let thing flow on its own than to rather fight it.**