New York is pretty famous for its variety and neighborhood distinctions. In this diverse city in America, a few blocks can make a world of difference. A short walk can mean the difference between Chinatown and Little Italy. I think I heard more accents from all over the world than the actual stereotypical “New York” accent. That is probably because New York is international.
Historically immigration filtered through this city. When the world sent the weary masses to America, this is where they came. As a result, New York offers the richness and variety of a world full of cultures. Collectively, they make New York great. New York neighborhoods originated and have evolved because of their location and immigrant populations. When families picked up their lives in order to cross an ocean and become Americans, they didn’t suddenly abandon their way of life and values. They often settled in areas with people who shared the same history, family traditions, language, and the same types of food. People came to America, often times with their entire family. This included aging parents and Grandparents. Settling in areas with people from their own country helped to ease this transition. Because of neighborhoods like Chinatown and Little Italy, we all can appreciate traditions and a way of life passed down through the generations.
Many neighborhoods originated because of their location or crafty real estate marketing. SoHo, Dumbo, and Tribeca are examples of areas that are named for their locations. The key factor in many of these areas is the rejuvination of spaces that were once manufacturing or rundown warehouses. This evolution can usually be traced back to different art movements. Artists need large cheap spaces, and old unused businesses provide the perfect environment. Everyone wants to be a part of the next en vogue scene, and that is wherever the art is. The problem with this phenomenon is that as soon as property values get too high, the artists have to move somewhere else!
I can’t imagine walking through New York could ever be boring, not only because of its massive size, but because of its diversity.