"I think it would be fair to say that NYC--particularly Manhattan--is now largely gentrified. Where there were race riots in Alphabet City in the 80s and you'd only go to Avenue D at your own peril, now they have a Whole Foods."

Additional tidbit. Where once (late 90s early 00's) there were bodies dropping weekly in Bushwick, Brooklyn, a block away there is a brand new 24 hour organic grocer: http://bushwickbk.com/2011/02/03/after-long-wait-hana-grocer...