In the upper east side of Manhattan along the streets of what is known as Spanish Harlem, there are Puerto Rican and Dominican flags along every corner from 101st to 110th, from First Avenue all the way up to Lexington Avenue. Some of these Latinos have lived here for many years, others have just moved in recently into the area. The area is great for commuters whether they are going uptown or downtown to work or school. It is a pretty short commute either way, with lots of train options from the 4,5,6 to multiple bus lines.
On 105th street between second and third lives a Dominican woman by the name of Carolina Perez who has now been living in the area for about 3 years. She originally lived in the middle of Harlem around 122nd street but decided to move downtown more seeking a more familiar setting among what she calls “my own people”. She is the perfect candidate for a query because it seems living in the area has eased her concerns and worries about perhaps not being able to find a stable home she can call her own as she grows old. She works as a home attendant, in different parts of Manhattan. Miss Perez has traveled back and forth from the Dominican Republic and New York looking for a better living situation 3 times. There is definitely a story here because this is the neighborhood that has finally given miss Perez some optimism, and I would like to find out why.
-Abel Ramirez