Is it weird that I still post here?

Personally, yes, because you had such negative things to say about CHN it even seems strange to see you write that you "still feel a connection to" the neighborhood..

To me, it would seem more logical that you would want to move on and embrace the new, or stay on your journey to find whatever you were looking for that you did not find in CHN.

But, if memory serves me correct, to return to anything, a internet board that serves a neighborhood that you had/have such negative thoughts, reactions and comments to does not strike me as logical or rational.

I really was hoping the you found your peace on the UES, but then again, not ALL of the UES is created equally. On the one hand, there is 68th and Park Ave or 98th and 1st Ave - to worlds apart - yet still the UES.

I would suggest trying the UWS, some gorgeous brownstones reminiscent of the ones found in CHN.

Moving out has helped me to appreciate the good things about CH. I still visit probably once a month and I enjoy that it has so many things I can't find in Manhattan (mainly decent Jamaican food). Plus I was on what might have been a particularly bad block, two houses down from the worst building on the block, so naturally that would bias anybody. When I lived in the Alma Realty complex I loved it.

And I have "found peace" in the UES. But still it would be dishonest for me to say I completely hated my time in BK. I still pester my gf to come with me to Soda, etc. But I think anyone here would be rattled by

- having their house & car broken into

- having 2 of their bikes stolen

- living 2 houses down from a crackhead

- having their gf called a "cracker bitch"

My gripes were definitely legit, but wholly quality of life issues and in no way an indictment on the neighborhood as a whole. If one can find a good block, CH can be an awesome place to live for cheap.

Plus the issues in CH are somewhat of a micro version of the issues facing a lot of places in the city, and discussions about said issues interest me.

And thanks for the kind words everyone... didn't mean for it to be a love fest (though it is appreciated) but more of a discussion on the impact places people lived have had on them, even if it was just for a short time. My stint in CH definitely helped me appreciate the UES a lot more than I would have otherwise, and of course introduced me to a lot of cool people.

Capt. Planet said:

Your situation CTK reminds me of "Hurt Locker". In case you didn't see it, the bomb disposal dude who stars in the film signs up for another tour of duty because life in his hometown bores the bejesus out of him.

CH def has its issues, but I just can't shake it. I blame my old block