Monika Fabian

Since a sizable housing development opened in the early 1940s, Parkchester has drawn families and individuals seeking a quiet community with affordable rents and reasonable proximity to Manhattan. Over time, the South Bronx enclave has developed into a diverse, tightly knit urban village spread across approximately 100 13-story residences. Chirping birds and neighbors calling out friendly hellos as kids zip by on their bikes project an idyllic, suburban aura—interrupted by the occasional salsa song drifting from the windows of ground-level apartments. Since a sizable housing development opened in the early 1940s, Parkchester has drawn families and individuals seeking a quiet community with affordable rents and reasonable proximity to Manhattan. Over time, the South Bronx enclave has developed into a diverse, tightly knit urban village spread across approximately 100 13-story residences. Chirping birds and neighbors calling out friendly hellos as kids zip by on their bikes project an idyllic, suburban aura—interrupted by the occasional salsa song drifting from the windows of ground-level apartments. Oscar Alvarez, resident, NYU drama student and after-school drama program teacher "South of France Bar has a happy hour open buffet once a week, where you go in, buy a drink, and have access to a whole [spread] of Latin food like rice, beans and roasted pork."South of France Bar, 1800 Westchester Ave between Beach and Taylor Aves (718-823-1133) Brenda Williams, general manager, Bow