Harlem is one of New York City’s most historically significant neighborhoods. Founded in the 17th Century as a Dutch outpost, New Haarlem (as it was called then) was named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands. The British burned Harlem to the ground during the American Revolution. After it was rebuilt, it became a popular resort town for the wealthy through the mid-19th Century. Today, Harlem is a neighborhood that is often overlooked, but one that many would appreciate if given a chance.
Harlem is bounded by the East River to the east; the Hudson River to the west; 155th Street to the north; and it has an uneven southern border that ends at either 110th Street (to the west of Fifth Avenue) or 96th Street (to the east of Fifth Avenue). It is where Manhattan ends and Upper Manhattan begins. In fact, Harlem feels more similar to Brooklyn than the rest of Manhattan thanks to its historic brownstones and open skies. New construction can be found scattered throughout the neighborhood but is more common to the north of 125th Street.
Transportation options include the A, B, C, D, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 trains. Express trains offer a relatively quick commute to midtown and downtown. On average, real estate values in Harlem are more affordable than the rest of Manhattan.