An Introduction..

Welcome to "Where's My Village?" A new blog chronicling the transformation of Greenwich Village from the perspective of a native.

Springtime in Greenwich Village has always been my favorite time of the year. The flowers are blossoming, while bicyclists roll down every street and people are strolling the sidewalks admiring 18th and 19th century architecture. The breeze off the Hudson that floats in pollen from Jersey brings us all sneezes. Dog walkers smile in the sun as they and their companions make new friends, and kids are cutting school to shoot some hoops at the West 4th St. Cage. It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

Somethings never change in this part of town, but over the last decade Greenwich village has undergone huge transformations, from the waterfront high rises (high for this part of town), and corporate coffee shops, to the great increase in young adult tenants. Many of the older folk who were Village mainstays have left or passed on, and with the remodeling of their formerly rent controlled apartments, and the expansion of N.Y.U.'s empire, an influx of young, successful professionals have taken their place.

While the Village has always welcomed people of all backgrounds and lifestyles (at least more than other parts of New York), much of the funky, artsy, and family flavor that once existed is gone, replaced now by out-of-towners who overpay for both their slice of pizza and of an idea that barely exists anymore. I am one of the last generation to grow up in the Greenwich village of stories. The G.V. where old school New York Italians intersected with Gays and students, and interracial couples with ex-hippie turned day traders, and writers. And while much is gone that was, this new manifestation of one of the cities oldest neighborhoods will certainly be interesting to write about.

This blog will not pull punches... beware, and enjoy.