What is the difference between Uptown and Downtown? - ProProfs Discuss
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What is the difference between Uptown and Downtown?

Asked by Marlon , Last updated: Apr 21, 2024

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3 Answers

Anika Nicole

Anika Nicole

Content Writer, Teacher

Anika Nicole
Anika Nicole, Wordsmith, PG In Journalism, New York

Answered Jul 30, 2020

Uptown and downtown are terms commonly used in the United States to describe certain areas of the country. According to history, the usage of these two terms started in New York City. Downtown was initially meant to be used to refer to areas located at the southern part of the island of Manhattan, while the term uptown is used to describe the areas at the north of the island of Manhattan.

However, the term downtown is now being used for the city's central business and historic district. However, with the increasing rate of people using these terms, there has been a twist to their meaning. Most people now use the two terms to give directions. While a downturn is used to represent the south of where someone is standing or living, uptown is used to describe the north of where someone is living. Meanwhile, the two terms are used mostly in the United States more than in any country in the world.

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E. Dixon

E. Dixon

E. Dixon
E. Dixon

Answered Jul 23, 2020

Communities use different words to describe areas that are near them, which can help a person understand the region that is being referred to. Two words that communities use are uptown and downtown. These words are predominantly used in America. Downtown is normally used to refer to the commercial parts of town, where many shopping stores and restaurants can be found.

Uptown is used to describe residential areas, where people live and call home. These terms are thought to have been first used in New York. In most states, downtown is the southern region of the state while uptown is the northern region.

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Victoria Martian

Victoria Martian

I love to share my experiences online

Victoria Martian
Victoria Martian, Blogger, B.com in Journalism, New York

Answered Jul 20, 2020

The term "uptown" and "downtown" are just used to separate areas of a particular community into two depending on some factors. These terms actually originated from New York City, and are widely used in American English.

In their origination, the more populated part of the city that has more commercial enterprise was usually referred to as the downtown, also called Lower Manhattan. Any parts or areas that are higher than this region toward its north were referred to as uptown or upper Manhattan.

In its modern geographical context, any part of the south a person describing can be the downtown, while towards the northern part can be described as an uptown. Also, in terms of the vertical height of a particular location, the lower part, usually closed to the river, is usually referred to as the downtown, while the upper locations are often referred to as uptown.

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