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27 Pics of '70s and '80s New York Showing a City in Decline

Back when New York City was affordable.

By Neill Lynskey

Published 1 month ago

Today, New York City is considered a prime destination to live in, but in the 1970s it was considered a place to avoid.


The economic recession of the 1970s hit New York City particularly hard, with millions of city residents losing their manufacturing jobs to overseas competition. By 1975, New York was in a full-blown financial crisis, and the photographs from the time reflect that. The remains of demolished buildings sat untouched, the subway was rampant with crime, and vacant apartment buildings plagued the city.


Check out some pics that look less like the Big Apple, and more like a post-apocalyptic wasteland. 

  • 1

    Eagle and Westchester Avenues, Bronx, 1970

    Eagle and Westchester Avenues, Bronx, 1970

  • 2

    On the way to Harlem, 1970

    On the way to Harlem, 1970

  • 3

    East 167th Street, South Bronx, 1973

    East 167th Street, South Bronx, 1973

  • 4

    East Harlem. 1970

    East Harlem. 1970

  • 5

    South Bronx in 1970

    South Bronx in 1970

  • 6

    Clinton Street, 1970

    Clinton Street, 1970

  • 7

    Harlem from the ground, New York City, 1977

    by Gilbert Millstein

    Harlem from the ground, New York City, 1977

  • 8

    Harlem, 1970

    Harlem, 1970

  • 9

    Bowery, New York City, 1977

    by Gilbert Millstein

    Bowery, New York City, 1977

  • 10

    NYC Subway, 1973

    NYC Subway, 1973

  • 11

    Fifth Ave at 110th Street, East Harlem. 1970

    Fifth Ave at 110th Street, East Harlem. 1970

  • 12

    NYC Subway, 1973

    NYC Subway, 1973

  • 13

    Honeywell at 178th Street. S. Bronx, 1970

    Honeywell at 178th Street. S. Bronx, 1970

  • 14

    Bruckner Blvd, Bronx, 1970

    Bruckner Blvd, Bronx, 1970

  • 15

    Cauldwell & Westchester Ave., Bronx, 1970

    Cauldwell & Westchester Ave., Bronx, 1970

  • 16

    Bronx River, 1970

    Bronx River, 1970

  • 17

    NYC Subway, 1975

    NYC Subway, 1975

  • 18

    NYC Subway, 1975

    NYC Subway, 1975

  • 19

    Bushwick fire, 1977

    Bushwick fire, 1977

  • 20

    Bushwick, Brooklyn, 1977

    Bushwick, Brooklyn, 1977

  • 21

    Looking towards Manhattan from Bushwick, circa 1982

    Looking towards Manhattan from Bushwick, circa 1982

  • 22

    Bushwick, Brooklyn, 1980s

    Bushwick, Brooklyn, 1980s

  • 23

    Bushwick, Brooklyn near Knickerbocker Avenue, early 1980s

    Bushwick, Brooklyn near Knickerbocker Avenue, early 1980s

  • 24

    Knickerbocker Avenue, circa 1980

    Knickerbocker Avenue, circa 1980

  • 25

    Avenue C, Lower East Side, 1970

    ‘Old New York’ by Camilo José Vergara

    Avenue C, Lower East Side, 1970

  • 26

    Police Officers on the NYC Subway, 1970s

    Police Officers on the NYC Subway, 1970s

  • 27

    Entrance, abandoned building, 1970

    Entrance, abandoned building, 1970

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