The Bronx: Local Pride on New York’s North Side
With claims to fame that include Yankee Stadium and the New York Botanical Garden, the Bronx is one of the most celebrated gems in a city full of them, and a must-visit location for tourists and city dwellers alike.
The Bronx is the northernmost borough and the only part of the city not located primarily on an island. Step inside the 42.5 square miles of this urban oasis and you’ll find deep cultural roots, artistic heritage, and a strong sense of community, not to mention a fair share of luxury shopping and dining experiences. Learn more about this iconic borough below, including the many unique neighborhoods and attractions that make the Bronx a place worth exploring.
History of The Bronx
Before it was the birthplace of hip hop, the Bronx was home to the Lenape tribe and later settled by the Europeans, where it became an Eastern stronghold for the Dutch West India Company. Like many of New York City’s boroughs, it was not originally a part of the city footprint that we know today, but rather gradually annexed through a process that started in 1874 and ended in 1898. By the 20th century, it was a hub for European and Caribbean immigrants, and continues to house some of the city’s most prominent immigrant communities. As for the Bronx’s hip hop roots, those can be located in a very specific location – 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, to be exact – where DJ Kool Herc is widely considered to have invented the art form in the early 1970s.
Bronx
Neighborhoods
and Enclaves
Caribbean culture is still strong and well-known in the Bronx, as are cultural enclaves belonging to Latin, Dominican, and Haitian immigrant communities, among others. The borough’s neighborhoods are divided amongst various regions designated either East Bronx and West Bronx or North Bronx and South Bronx, depending on who you ask. Popular neighborhoods within these regions include:
- Bedford Park
- Riverdale
- Morris Park
- Kingsbridge
- Fordham
- Pelham Bay
- Allerton
- Castle Hill
- Mott Haven
- Westchester Square
- Belmont
There are also a number of islands included within the Bronx’s borders, though many of them are uninhabited.
Demographics of the Bronx
In a borough known for its history, resilience, and local pride, it’s not all that surprising that the Bronx boasts a massive immigrant population, including the city’s largest Hispanic community, which makes up more than 50% of the borough’s residents.
The Bronx does, unfortunately, also come with the title of New York City’s poorest borough, with nearly one in four Bronx households bringing in $20,000 or less per year. Despite the economic adversity faced by so many of its residents, the Bronx is full of vibrancy and things to do, see, and appreciate, including a wealth of stunning street art rivaling what you’ll find in the galleries of Chelsea and SoHo.
Bronx Education and Top Schools
There are six distinct school districts in the Bronx serving about 29,000 K-12 students. Among them are some of the top-ranked schools in the entire United States, plus some of the most renowned public and private institutions in New York City.
Top schools in the Bronx include:
- Bronx High School of Science, one of the top STEM schools in the country
- Fordham Preparatory School, a private high school with an A+ school rating
- South Bronx Classical Charter School, a high-performing public elementary and middle school with two Bronx locations
- Pelham Memorial High School, which features some of the nation’s highest ACT and SAT scores
Also in the Bronx are several of New York’s best colleges and universities, including Manhattan College, Lehman College, and the Bronx campuses of Fordham University and NYU.
Public Transportation in the Bronx
You can easily travel throughout the Bronx on buses, trains, and subways managed by the New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), with plenty of them running 24/7.
The Bronx is served by subway lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8, plus a variety of local and city-wide bus lines. If you’re traveling by commuter train, you can reach the Bronx using the Metro-North Railroad, which links the Bronx to Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan, as well as further out to the Hudson Valley and Connecticut.
Exploring by car? Use the Bronx River Parkway, Cross Bronx Expressway, or Major Deegan Expressway to reach the borough from other parts of the city.
Bronx Activities and
Landmarks
Alongside the Bronx’s growing presence of creative entrepreneurs, small businesses, and local jewelers are some of the most well-known landmarks and attractions in New York City, including:
- Bronx Zoo
- New York Botanical Garden
- Yankee Stadium
- Grand Concourse
For sites related to the Bronx’s hip hop history, be sure to check out:
- Universal Hip Hop Museum
- Bronx Walk of Fame
- DJ Kool Herc’s House on Sedgwick Avenue
If you still have time to explore, head to these other can’t-miss Bronx locations:
- Bronx River
- Woodlawn Cemetery
- Pelham Bay Park
- Wave Hill
- City Island
Borrow and Sell Against Luxury Goods in New York City
The Bronx has its fair share of jewelry stores, but if you’re looking to buy, sell, or borrow against high-end assets, your best bet is to travel just 10 miles south to Manhattan’s sparkling Diamond District.
More than 90% of the diamonds that enter the U.S. make their way through the Diamond District, which comprises a single city block in Midtown. Our office is located in the Diamond District at 50 W 47th Street, Suite 319, New York, NY 10036, just steps away from the Rockefeller Center subway station – a mere $3 trip from the Bronx. Meet with a Qollateral loan expert to sell or borrow against luxury assets like:
- High-end watches
- Designer and heirloom jewelry
- Designer handbags
- Rare collectibles
- Gold and precious metals
- Collectible art
- Loose diamonds and gemstones
You can reach us easily via the B, D, F, and M trains. Please note: the B and M lines operate on weekdays only, while the F train runs during rush hours in the peak direction.
If you’re driving, a parking lot is available just around the corner at 55 West 46th Street, New York, NY 10036.
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