1973-1988
I lived at 131 Greene Street between Prince and Houston. 2nd floor.I also lived at 27 Howard Street (looking directly up Crosby)for 2 years.
Student.
The vast emptiness and community. The light, the rents, knowing almost everyone, the creativity, the architecture, the empty cardboard fabric spindles put out as garbage that my brother and I would sword fight with. Dean and DeLucca being a cheese shop.
I hated getting mugged. Also, some friends were actually not allowed to come to my house because it was such a "dangerous" neighborhood. ha.
I have so many. Here is one: My mother sent me to the bodega on West Broadway and Prince street to get her beer and cigarettes when I was 9. One of the guys who worked at the bodega sent me home to get a note from my mother. When I returned with the note he put the 6-pack in a paper bag and walked me half way home before handing me the bag. I think he was nervous about breaking the law. That kind of thing would be impossible today. I also will never forget the Etan Patz thing.
My mother moved to Chelsea and I can not afford to live there.