Fordham, Bronx, NY
About Fordham, Bronx
Fordham is a neighborhood located in the western section of the Bronx. The neighborhood is bounded by 196th Street to the north, Burnside Avenue to the south, and Jerome Ave to the west. It's also surrounded by Bedford Park to the north and west, University Heights to the south, and Belmont to the east.
Fordham is a hip, multicultural neighborhood with tons of great local attractions. The area was the original site of Fordham University and the present-day main campus is not far away in Rose Hill. Plus, Fordham is situated between the New York Botanical Gardens and the Bronx Zoo. Fordham Road is one of the Bronx’s busiest commercial centers and residents enjoy a plethora of shopping options and highly regarded Latin American restaurants. Overall, It’s a bustling, urban community that is proud of its local heritage.
History of Fordham, Bronx
The first established settlement in the area was an estate owned by a Dutch settler named Jan Archer, known as Fordham Manor. Archer rented out some of his 3900 acres of land to local farming families and a small settlement was established. Around the same time Old Fordham Village- an English settlement began to develop in the area around the present-day intersection of the Grand Concourse and Fordham Road. Edgar Allen Poe once lived in a cottage on Old Fordham Village and today that legacy is celebrated with Poe Park – a small park in the neighborhood. The area was largely rural and undeveloped until the early 20th Century. From the ’20s through the 70’s Fordham was largely a middle-class Irish and Jewish neighborhood. Then it shifted toward being an area of mostly black and Hispanic residents.
Transportation in Fordham, Bronx
There are several transportation options for those who live in Fordham. The 4, B, and D trains all make stops in Fordham. Several MTA buses including the BX1, BX2, BX3, BX9, BX12, BX15, BX19, BX17, BX22, BX22, BX28, BX34, BX38, and the BX41. The Beeline bus system that goes to Westchester also makes stops in Fordham. As does the Metro-North train, which has a stop at East 190th Street. Plus, Grand Concourse is a major thoroughfare that runs through Fordham and connects to other major highways.
Demographics of Fordham, Bronx
There are approximately 94,000 people who live in Fordham. Residents are primarily Hispanic, but there is a considerable black population as well. Seventy percent of residents identify as Hispanic, 18% identify as black and 6% identify as white. It’s a neighborhood of young adults and working families. Thirty-four percent are between the ages of 18 and 34, 27% are under the age of 18, and 21% are between the ages of 35 and 54. It’s a working-class neighborhood and the median household income is around $35,000 per year.
Housing in Fordham, Bronx
The housing in Fordham is a mixture of two or three-story row houses and large, tenement style apartment buildings. Units tend to be spacious and reasonably priced. There are both condos and co-ops in the neighborhood. Many newly renovated units feature hardwood floors and stainless-steel appliances. It’s a good neighborhood for local working-class families or students looking for off-campus housing. It’s very affordable for New York City standards and access to transportation makes traveling to other parts of New York quick and easy.
Neighborhood Life in Fordham, Bronx
There are many major attractions in Fordham. The Bronx Zoo is in Fordham, which attracts residents from all over the city as well as tourists. The New York Botanical Garden is likewise in Fordham and attracts a similar amount of traffic. There is also a Little Italy along Arthur Avenue, where you’ll find a fresh produce market and several authentic Italian restaurants. The Paradise Theatre is another hot spot in Fordham that hosts everything from boxing matches to Shakespeare plays. Plus, some of the best Latin American food in New York can be found in Fordham. It’s a popular, bustling neighborhood that features some of the most authentic cultural attractions you find anywhere in the city.
Similar Neighborhoods to Fordham, Bronx
Real Estate Trends in Fordham, Bronx
Fordham is a great place to buy for those looking for affordable real estate in New York City. The median price of a home in Fordham is around $400,000 and that property values have increased by 20% over the past five years. There has been plenty of new development in the neighborhood over the past 20 years and you can find a spacious apartment for a discounted price. It’s under 30 minutes to Midtown, making it a manageable neighborhood for commuters. Overall, it’s a great area for those looking for a vibrant, affordable neighborhood.
The Truth About Fordham, Bronx
How Safe is Fordham?
Fordham is relatively safe. The area is patrolled by the 46th Precinct of the NYPD, which has reported a much lower crime rate than the 1990s. Overall, it’s a safer neighborhood than many other areas of the Bronx. That being said, it’s a major tourist hub in a borough that has a higher crime rate than the city average. The Bronx is an area that has been plagued by economic disparity and social problems for many years. Those who stay on alert will be fine – but it’s important to keep an eye out for dangers and be aware of your surroundings.
Are the Schools in Fordham Good?
Schools in Fordham are not the best. Public schools in the Bronx tend to suffer from lack of funding and high student to teacher ratio. PS 33 Timothy Dwight, PS 9 Ryer Avenue Elementary School, PS 46 Edgar Allen Poe, PS 246 Poe Center, and PS 85 Great Expectations are all public elementary schools in Fordham. The Academy for Personal Leadership and Excellence is also in Fordham and caters to grades 6-8. There are no high schools in Fordham, but residents may apply to attend any public high school in New York City. Our Lady of Mercy School, Our Lady of Refuge School, and Fordham Preparatory School are private schools in Fordham, as well.
Popular Eateries in Fordham, Bronx
Things to Do in Fordham, Bronx
Visit the Bronx Zoo, the world-famous attraction features one of the largest and most diverse collections of wildlife in the world.
Check out the New York Botanical Garden, a greenhouse containing over one million living plants
Visit the Edgar Allan Poe Cottage, a restored cottage where Edgar Allen Poe wrote some of his most famous verses.
Go to an event at Paradise Theatre, the venue hosts sporting events, musicals, and theatre
Walk down Artur Avenue and sample some of the amazing pizza.
Is Fordham Dog Friendly?
Yes and no. Many of the units in Fordham do allow pets. However, it’s a dense urban area with very little green space. Pet owners with smaller dogs who are used to life in New York City will be fine. Apartments tend to be spacious and you can always bring your canine companion for a stroll around the block. But larger dogs and animals that are skittish will probably be overwhelmed by the density and traffic.
Is Fordham Good for Cycling?
Fordham isn’t the best neighborhood for biking unless you are a very confident rider. Traffic is heavy, especially along major thoroughfares like Arthur Avenue and Grand Concourse. Transportation options are accessible, so most residents tend to take public transportation or walk. There are bike lanes along major streets, but not on side streets. Those who are confident in their riding abilities will be fine, but inexperienced riders are better off walking or taking the train.
3 Things to Know Before Moving to Fordham, Bronx
Like many parts of the Bronx, Fordham is a neighborhood plagued by social issues like poverty and homelessness.
It's a dense urban area, so those looking for peace and quiet should look elsewhere
The 4 train can get very crowded during rush hour, so plan accordingly