“NoHa” Added to Harlem’s Ongoing Makeover

Friday, 23 Aug 2013 12:08 AM

Apparently North Harlem has been dubbed “NoHa” in the real estate market, much to the chagrin of its die-hard residents who aren’t in favor of the spanking new moniker or the steadfast transformation of North Harlem into a trendy “go to” neighborhood. 

In recent years, Harlem has been the hottest neighborhood to move into. Its Manhattan location and cheaper property rates, along with its ridiculously awesome brownstones that can be renovated into mansions, keep yuppies coming. It was really only a matter of time before Harlem got a fabulous new nickname from its transplant denizens and their thirsty brokers—hence NoHa. 

Of course, the older residents who have been there for decades and have stuck it out through the poverty and drug problems, which are still not completely gone, are not fans of the new name and have no plans to move out for the younger hip crowd that have been arriving and asking if they want to sell

To some, the nickname feels sort of like a slap in Harlem’s face. It comes off as trying to hide a name that is steeped in history and replace it with one that sounds more palatable to its newly emerging affluent market. 

Keep in mind that, befittingly, “SoHa” is the designation being used for South Harlem, and that only adds to the creeping Harlem makeover.