212 Area Codes Now "Retro-Chic"

Consider yourself very cool if you're one of the few New Yorkers who managed to snag a 212 area code on your cell phone, because some people will do nearly anything to shed themselves of the dreaded 917s, 718s 646s or 347s attached to their name. As Ashley Granata of fashion website Fashim told the Wall Street Journal, "212 numbers are the new rent-controlled apartments." Except, like most "old-school New York" trends, the coolness is based on myth.

The assumption behind the trend is that having a 212 number means you were here before 646 hit. Granata says, "I don’t pick up 917, 646, and definitely not 347. I think it’s not business-related…When I see a 212 I think it’s established and legit." But as web content strategist Peter Feld points out, real New Yorkers (the platonic ideal of authenticity into which nobody can fit) don't even have 212 cell phones! He says, "212 cell phones are a little phony, like fake vintage T-shirts. Real Manhattanites use 917 for their cell phones and 212 for their land lines." Take that, hipsters.

Still, some are willing to do anything for a trend, even tread in some sketchy waters. When a 212 number goes out of service, it's taken out of rotation for 60 days. Customers aren't allowed to hold numbers, so the chances of landing on a 212 number when signing up for cell phone service are pretty slim. But there are apparently cell phone stores around the city where you can pick up the number discreetly. Nathan Folkman said of his new number, "I didn’t ask questions...Who knows? It was probably some mafia-run thing." We expect the same thing will happen with 646 in 2014, when they're expected to run out of numbers.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jaya Saxena in News on August 18, 2010 1:55 PM

Comments [rss]

patty cake

so stupid

REALITY CHECK

212 area codes are much easier to dial on rotary phones.

citylion

212 is also the area code for land lines in Caracas, Venezuela. Kind of funny because that's been my prefixes for both my home here and my fam's back there.

Where else in the world is 212 used?

John L

Here http://212areacode.com/shop/personal-45/

You can buy one for $45

Problem solved.

Next pressing issue please.

Think2wice

The real question this article brings up is whether the fashion industry is so hopelessly nepotistic that a shallow, money-losing twit who doesn't "pick up 917, 646, and definitely not 347" can get a job—let alone keep it—in this economy.

ProfessorVonNostren

I have a 212 cell, but thought that just meant I'm old. Thanks to Gothamist, I now know I'm cool, but since I don't give out the number, who's gonna know? pffft.

Guest

revelations 19:12 -- "...he has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself."

artscienceweb

You know whats Retro Chic...not being a transplant, and actually a real NY'er. But, I'll sell you my Street Cred if thats what you're looking for.

rdayk

It's arguably the most famous area code in the United States, and given the prices of Manhattan real estate, I can see why people would want to acquire 212 area codes even if they can't afford to live in Manhattan. When I had to give up my previous 212 number because I moved to the Village, I inisted on waiting until another 212 was available before setting up my new phone line. So, I can understand why people care about this, though it may seem petty, but if your lifelong dream was to live in Manhattan, it's very hard to let go of the 212 prefix! However it seems duplicitous to get it for a cell phone - it's like you're trying to pretend your mobile phone is a land line. 917 is NYC's cell phone prefix, nothing wrong with that. Nor is a 718 area code anything to be ashamed of - plenty of successful, affluent folks live in Brooklyn.

SatelliteTimes

Your problem is that you care what people think. I can't even believe that you brought up affluent people.

JenChungsBaby

I remember when Bklyn, Queens and SI lost 212 and became 718. People were not happy.

yetanotherdamneduselessaccount

Message sent. Thank you for calling Sky Pager.

Aveais Essex

HELL YES

SatelliteTimes

I think I've had 917 since the days of carrying a beeper/pager around.

Cracks me up to even think about it.

thelexiphane

Granata says, "I don’t pick up 917, 646, and definitely not 347. I think it’s not business-related…When I see a 212 I think it’s established and legit."

She's right. No one does business with wireless phones. Maybe drug dealers--you know, with their beeper thingies.

Here's a legit tip for Granata: I hear spats and straw boaters are coming back into fashion as well.

Tower18

I have a 646 and couldn't give a fuck. I would actually prefer 917 over 212, but whatever.

David

I love my 212 number and all u guys thinking its not cool... at least the girls think it is (and all the places i go for interviews)...

Guest

don't worry, i'll just switch sides once 90% of people don't like the 212 number.

jaycjay

Fair enough. Fortunately for me, I've never had to rely on my area code to attract women. Or to get a job.

REALITY CHECK

212, 718, 917 and 646 won't really have much difference from each other for job interviewing purposes. 347 might be a problem, however, because it means you recently got a new number, which could make the interviewer wonder why you changed your number--are you unstable? Just moved ? What's the story? And a non-New York area code definitely doesn't win any points on a resume, it definitely sticks out.