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Q & A with Georgy Whitfield

Georgy Whitfield has lived in Manhattanville for three months.

Georgy Whitfield, 40, a self-employed chef, has lived in Manhattanville for three months. (Photo by Magdalene Perez)


A chat with Georgy Whitfield, 40, a self-employed chef and Manhattanville resident for three months.

What brought you to this neighborhood?

I always lived in Harlem, but I moved to Queens for peace and quiet and wanted to come back. This is the only neighborhood I could afford, over by the Apollo Theater [on 125th Street]. It's all landmarked. But we have to move out in two to three years because Columbia's moving in.

What's your favorite thing about the neighborhood?

I like that it's secluded. It's a nice neighborhood, nice and quiet.

If you could change something, what would it be?

The [elevated] train. It's noisy. You have to turn up the TV; you have to talk louder. My window faces it. I have a nice view of the train. It reminds me of the Honeymooners. I keep the window closed.

What's your favorite spot to hang out?

I don't do anything in this neighborhood. I never hang in my own neighborhood. That's like eating where you bathe.

What do you think about the Columbia expansion?

I'm just hearing about it. I'm glad that our youngsters are going to school. I don't look at it as a bad thing. And they're helping us find a new place. They're going to take care of us.

Related topic galleries: Manhattanville

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