Moving to Harlem guide

NYC is such a prominent place with many different neighborhoods and boroughs. One neighborhood that gets overlooked quite often when talking about moving is Harlem. Moving to Harlem is fun, but it has its difficulties. It’s hard to find reliable information about moving here. That is why we have prepared a perfect guide. This guide will help you get to know Harlem and walk you through the process of moving. Not only will we help you find reliable local moving companies in Manhattan, but we will also bring life in Harlem closer to you. That way you can be completely prepared when the time to move comes. So, enjoy your journey to getting to know Harlem!

When talking about moving to a new place, there is a whole process behind that. From hiring movers to packing and finally discovering the place yourself. We would like to begin by describing what life in Harlem is like: what the cost of living is, some important places to note, and everything else you need to know. After that, we will try to focus on the moving process, as that can be scary to some people who have never moved before. Going into the unknown can be scary, but also exciting. We will try to bust the myth that moving is stressful and difficult. By the end of this guide, you will be completely prepared to move to Harlem!

a beautiful corner building
Hopefully, this guide will help you get to know Harlem in the best way possible.

Basic facts and history of Harlem

Harlem is a neighborhood in Upper Manhattan. Harlem is a diverse and cultural center, especially when looked at historically. Originally, Harlem was a Dutch village, which is how this neighborhood got its name. It became populated by Jewish and Italian people in the early 1900s, and during the Great Migration in the 1920s, a lot of African-American people moved here. This caused a great cultural movement: the Harlem Renaissance. Since then, Harlem has become the go-to place for African culture, especially music. We have seen the rise of jazz and hip-hop happening right on the streets of Harlem. One thing that will Upper West Side movers is that you have to learn about the musical aspect of Harlem and enjoy it!

creative grafitti on a wall
It’s important to look at the historical significance of a place when trying to learn more about it. Harlem was the home to many civil rights movements!

Harlem is divided into a few parts, however, in recent years, that divide is less noticeable. The divide in Harlem was a pretty important factor in the 1980s as Harlem was the home to many gangs. Nowadays, the crime rates in Harlem are extremely low, and gang violence is not a problem anymore. One more crucial thing to mention is that Harlem is one of the main centers for LGBTQ rights. During the Harlem Renaissance, the rights of many marginalized groups were brought into question. This is why Harlem is the fighting ground for those marginalized groups. The LGBTQ population is one of them, with Harlem being the birthplace of the underground drag ball scene, as well as the home to many LGBTQ youths.

Some statistics to note when moving to Harlem

When talking about moving to a new place, it’s important to look at general life. The best way to do that is with scientific methodology: statistics. We will highlight some basic stats that will be quite useful to know if you decide to move to Harlem. This way you can make sure that relocating to Harlem is for you, hire Manhattan movers you can rely on, and move here!

When it comes to the median household income and the cost of living it is a weird situation. The median household income is a little bit lower than the average, but this is due to the high poverty and homelessness rates. This is why the arithmetic mean is a bit lower than what the reality is. Most households that have a stable job earn the same amount or more as the households in the rest of the U.S. However, because of such high poverty and homelessness rates, the median household income is lower. The cost of living in Harlem is one of the lowest in the whole of NYC. This makes Harlem one of the most affordable areas to live in.

Around 80% of people rent their homes, while 20% are homeowners. The average rent for a 1 bedroom apartment is around $2000, and you can find a studio for as low as $700. This is when looking at the apartments in central Harlem.

The population of Harlem

As we have previously mentioned, Harlem has a pretty diverse population. Moreover, the people in Harlem are extremely friendly. One of the first things you can do when residential movers in Manhattan drop you off is to say hi to your neighbors. They will most likely give you some first-hand information about Harlem and life in your community. There is a good sense of community in Harlem.

The population is pretty diverse mostly because of the history of Harlem. There are many different organizations and groups for whatever you might need. The LGBTQ community is well accepted in Harlem, and the African-American community is thriving. The population of Harlem is extremely liberal, which is to be expected.

the people of harlem
The people of Harlem are what give this neighborhood the spirit. You will probably not find a more culturally diverse neighborhood.

The safety of moving to Harlem

When looked at overall, Harlem has never been safer. However, this does not mean that there is no crime in Harlem. Depending on where you live, you can live completely unbothered and never hear of any crime happening, or you can expect the worst. The red zone of Harlem when it comes to crime is the East Side. Most common are thefts, but assaults are also an occurrence. When it comes to hospitals, there are quite a few of them scattered throughout Harlem, and they are rated pretty highly. So, you don’t have to worry about injuries or anything concerning the ER! NYC has a special program NYC Care which guarantees low-cost and no-cost services to New Yorkers who cannot afford health insurance. Moreover, they have special insurance for businesses, so moving your business with commercial movers in Manhattan can grant you some benefits when it comes to healthcare.

Your everyday life after moving to Harlem

We have noted some basic statistics and facts you need to know about Harlem, but we also want to bring living in Harlem closer to you. We will focus on some going out places, schools, shopping spots, and more! You will know exactly what to suspect when moving here.

Getting an education

When it comes to the degree of education the residents of Harlem have, it is lower when compared to the rest of Manhattan and NYC. However, the number of people going to college has increased in the last couple of years. There is a number of middle schools and high schools located in Harlem as well as colleges. Some of them include:

  • The CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy
  • New York College of Podiatric Medicine,
  • City College of New York,
  • Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine

Moreover, you can access all schools throughout NYC, you don’t need to limit yourself to just Harlem. For example, there is no need to move with Bronx movers for you to attend a school in the Bronx.

architecture of harlem
When you first move here, you are probably going to feel like a tourist.

Going shopping

Shopping is pretty important in Harlem, especially if you need musical equipment or producers. There are a lot of stores located all throughout Harlem, but the most popular shopping street in Harlem is 125th Street. When looking at the most popular destinations to go shopping we can easily single out:

  • Harlem Center (125th Street)
  • East River Plaza (125th Street)
  • Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market (116th Street)

There is quite a number of small and local business in Harlem, so be sure to check them out.

Getting something to eat

When it comes to food, you can get all types of cuisine in Harlem. From vegan to Indian, no matter how far long distance movers Manhattan move your stuff, you will still feel at home. We want to list some great places to eat!

  • Vegan Hood. A great place for vegans and vegetarians to eat.
  • Indian Summer. Come here if you are craving some Indian food.
  • Jerk House. This is an amazing Carribean spot.
  • The Noodle. As you can tell by their name, they specialize in noodles and Chinese food.
  • Benyam. If you have never tried Ethiopian food, then coming here is a must!
  • SottoCasa Pizzeria. An amazing selection of pizza.
  • Red Rooster Harlem. A Michelin-rated bar.

Besides these places, you can find many street vendors and fast food we recommend you go and try for yourself!

the view of big corporate buildings you'll get to see if you decide on moving to Harlem
Enjoy a pretty chill, but fast life in Harlem!

Going out

When it comes to going out places, there are a few things we can highlight. The neighborhood of Harlem is most proud of its jazz scene. That is reflected in the number of places you can go out to listen to jazz, such as:

  • Ginny’s Supper Club
  • MIST Harlem
  • Farafina
  • Sugar Bar
  • Apollo
  • Jin Fizz
  • Paris Blues
  • L.A. Scat
  • Room 623 – Harlem’s Speakeasy Jazz Club
people partying in a nightclub after moving to Harlem
By moving to Harlem, you’ll get access to some of the wildest and amazing parties in the city

You can also find many interesting bars and clubs here such as:

  • Harlem Cigar Room
  • The Corner Social
  • Cotton Club
  • Shrine
  • Cocteleria Perla Negra
  • The Honey Well
  • Red Rooster

There are also a few gay bars, such as:

  • 4West Lounge
  • Lambda Lounge
  • Next by 4West
  • The Tool Box

As you can see there is a number of places to visit in Harlem, making the nightlife pretty diverse and vibrant.

The process of moving to Harlem

Hopefully, by listing all the different aspects of living in Harlem, you won’t have any doubts about moving to the city of New York. We looked at the overall life and statistics, as well as some interesting places you can and should visit when you move here. Now, we would like to focus on the process of relocating to Harlem and what to expect from it.

There are a few steps to relocating to a new place. You have the preparation, the actual move, and the period after the move when you get settled down. By going step by step on what to expect when you move to Harlem, you will have the ultimate guide when the time comes to do so.

The move

The first step to any move is to decide where you want to move to. In this case, the desired place of moving. The next thing you need to do is hire movers in Harlem you can trust. This can make or break a moving process. Having reliable movers by your side can help you feel more relaxed and ready for anything that comes your way. After deciding on the date with your movers, and signing a moving contract, it’s time to pack your things. Don’t forget to declutter!

Also, don’t forget to say goodbye to people you care about. Now, you just have to wait for the movers to arrive and bring your things to your new home. After that, the only thing left is to discover Harlem (and unpack). You can use this article to help you discover Harlem, or you can do it on your own. Either way, get well acquainted with Harlem as it is a beautiful place we are positive you will enjoy!

one of the main streets in the nighttime that you can experience by moving to Harlem
With these tips, you won’t be in the dark when it comes to moving to Harlem!

Final words

This was a complete and detailed guide about moving to Harlem that will help you experience what Harlem has to offer to the fullest. Moreover, it will give you a sense of security when so much is uncertain. Moving can seem a bit intimidating, but, if you do your research, it will be like a walk in the park. So, good luck with your relocation to Harlem!

Reference:

https://www.niche.com/places-to-live/n/harlem-new-york-city-ny/residents/

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