When I first saw the listing I thought to myself it was a great and affordable place to stay; but when I realized the location I became worried about safety as this was in the Bronx. I’ve always heard people talk negatively about this area and so I decided to reach out to Damien regarding my concerns. Not only was Damien very quick to respond, he was also extremely reassuring and kind.
He used his own experience living in the Bronx for over 40 years to help me feel that the neighborhood was a safe place to be and travel in; and he explained that I just needed to experience the community firsthand to see how different it is from the stereotypes I’ve been told.
Since being at Damien’s Airbnb my views of the Bronx has completely shifted. There is a lovely tight knit community of people who are extremely kind, helpful, and lively. In fact, I can say that some of the people I’ve met there were the nicest I’ve ever encountered. The tenants and neighbors always greeted me (an outsider), opened doors for me, and assisted me in getting in the building complex.
I felt completely safe and Damien himself even went the extra step to offer to walk with me to and from the public transport if I was ever feeling uncomfortable. The hospitality he provided was insurmountable. We were even able to converse about the history of the Bronx and NYC, sharing our personal experiences with cultures and traditions. He’s a great conversationalist so don’t be shy!
Overall it was a pleasure to have met and stayed with Damien during my time in NYC as a tourist. And for anyone reading this with similar reservations as I did going into the Bronx, I hope that this anecdote helps at putting your heart at ease. If you do choose to stay at Damien’s residence, I know that you will find a similar experience that I had in the Bronx. So enjoy the yourself and have fun!