New York City has a reputation for being tough, but the reality is far more nuanced than the movies suggest. While most of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx are perfectly safe for both tourists and residents, there are still pockets where even longtime New Yorkers exercise extra caution or simply choose to steer clear altogether.These aren’t necessarily the most dangerous places in the city, but they’re areas where locals have learned through experience that it’s better to take alternative routes or find other options. Here’s a breakdown of 16 neighborhoods that even seasoned New Yorkers tend to avoid.
East New York
East New York sits at the eastern edge of Brooklyn, and it’s earned its reputation through decades of economic struggle and limited investment. The neighborhood has some of the highest crime rates in the borough, with incidents ranging from petty theft to more serious offenses happening with concerning regularity.
While gentrification has started creeping into nearby areas, East New York remains largely untouched by the wave of development that’s transformed other parts of Brooklyn. Most locals who need to travel through the area do so quickly and stick to main thoroughfares during daylight hours.
Brownsville
Located in central Brooklyn, Brownsville has been synonymous with urban decay since the 1970s, and despite various revitalization efforts, it hasn’t shaken that image. The neighborhood consistently ranks among the most dangerous in New York City, with violence often spilling onto the streets in broad daylight.
Housing projects dominate the landscape, and many of these complexes have become focal points for criminal activity. Even delivery drivers and rideshare operators often refuse to enter certain blocks, forcing residents to meet them at safer locations on the neighborhood’s perimeter.
Hunts Point
The South Bronx neighborhood of Hunts Point is known primarily for two things: its massive food distribution center and its red-light district. The area becomes particularly sketchy after dark, when the legitimate businesses close and different kinds of commerce take over the streets. Industrial trucking operations during the day give way to a completely different scene at night, one that most New Yorkers prefer to avoid entirely…