Dear Tom
Interesting question, as an ex-pat Yankee, this is my colloquial
understanding of the question. I would expect that these terms are being
used in relation to New York city and more specifically Manhattan. However,
down-town is a more American generic term for the Central Business
District, this is usually fairly well identified in most American cities.
In Manhattan this would be the area up to Houston for example, or there
abouts. The term mid-town in Manhattan is Houston to 57th (the lower edge
of Central park) and Up-Town is 57th to 125th, either side of Central Park.
I have not heard the these last two terms used to describe locations in
anywhere but New York, but my experience is living primarily on the East Coast.
Hope this is helpful
Peter
At 10:27 02/11/2004, you wrote:
>Dear All
>
>It might seem a silly question, but can anyone help me with the terms
>up-town, mid-town and down-town, which I find in a lot of American
>literature.
>
>I know that down-town is used for the commercial centre of the city,
>which seems paradoxical for the most expensive property.
>
>But what about the other terms? Do they have any spatial significance
>(like suburb / centre)? do they refer to land-use (housing, industrial
>etc)? or do they refer to social class / economic status?
>
>thanks Tom
>
> Thomas Dine
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