u/Brunson4Mayor11

Hi all, I was wondering if you could help me with some conflicting feelings I have about my studio apartment in the Bronx. For context: I am a born and raised New Yorker. I just spent 8 years living in the DC area until last June before finally getting a job here and moving home. My job pays well enough that I probably could have afforded to live anywhere in the city, but I chose a studio in the Bronx in Highbridge near Yankee Stadium for a few reasons:

1). Proximity to the 4 train, since my job is near Grand Central.

2). It is also close to my parents who live in Washington Heights. 20 minute bus ride on the BX13.

3). I am a diehard Yankee fan so living close to the stadium was almost like a lifelong dream coming true.

I signed a two year lease last June and for the first few months I really loved my apartment and couldn’t see myself anywhere else any time soon. The actual unit is fantastic and has a balcony (pictured) and the building has two rooftops. That being said, lately I’ve had some conflicting feelings.

Getting people to come to the Bronx has been a tough sell. My parents have only been to my apartment one time since I moved in and I’ve only had a friend over one time. Secondly, walking up the hill from the subway station can be a bit tiring especially after a long day of work. Plus not to mention it’s usually at least a 10 minute walk. Coming from DC where a 10 minute walk to the Metro was considered good, this feels a little annoyingly far tho. And as big of a Yanks fan as I am, I will admit the crowds on gamedays can be very annoying if you’re not going to the game. River Ave basically turns into a glorified frat house on gameday and it’s a lot less cooler than I thought it would be. Especially because I don’t drink.

I am also a white guy living in the South Bronx which I think makes me stand out. Obviously being born and raised here I know all about the past and present issues of the Bronx, and haven’t really seen any crime or anything along those lines. But I do think I kind of stand out as a white guy in this part of town.

All this being said for the first time I am seriously contemplating moving to Queens or Brooklyn, or somewhere else with a little more to do. I signed a two year lease so I am probably here for all of 2026 and most of 2027 but I was looking on StreetEasy and saw affordable studios out there in what look like better neighborhoods with more to do than here. Some of which seem even cheaper than what I pay now (just under two grand a month).

What would you do in my situation? I’ll attach pictures of my balcony so you can see what I’m dealing with here. It’s really spectacular, but getting people to come here has been hard. What would you do? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!