How do you define your neighborhood?

Through our reporting for The Riverdale Press, we have had the privilege to meet and write about a wonderful variety of people that compose the fabric of our coverage area. We have had the chance to talk to people just moving to the area, and to the people who have been here for as long as the paper has covered their neighborhoods.

Occasionally in the middle of one of these conversations- be it with a community activist, a local politician, or a bar fly- the subject will veer back to how we define a community.

So in order to attempt to provide an answer to this question we decided to write a series that will explore the physical, psychological and social divides in the different neighborhoods that comprise our coverage area.

What does up the hill and down the hill really mean? Is it just a topographical divide between Kingsbridge and Riverdale, or does it also infer a social and racial split as well?

What happens in Marble Hill when some of the homes are still considered part of Manhattan and others are considered part of the Bronx. What happens when crime happens near the Target- which is 52nd Precinct territory- and veers into the Marble Hill Houses- 50th Precinct Territory? Who do residents call?

How does Kingsbridge define itself- considering it has experienced a huge demographic change in the 60 years this paper has been covering it- and is itself split into three neighborhoods?

What's the difference between North and South Riverdale- aside from separate schools, little leagues and hang out spots? How does each area characterize itself?

There is no one answer to any of these questions. However, we are very very interested in hearing what you think. We invite you to the conversation and to comment on this blog post. Let us know how you perceive your neighborhood and the changes that go on within it.

Also, if you would like to be interviewed for this series you can email us at newsroom@riverdalepress.com.