After living on a noisy street in Washington Heights for eight years, Evelyn Liston decided in 2004 to search for quieter surroundings. Like many heroic quests, hers was marked by high ideals, momentary defeats and, in the end, redemption.

“I looked all over the city,” said Ms. Liston, 50, a consultant to classical music composers and organizations. “I had my heart set on Brooklyn, then I had my heart set on Jackson Heights in Queens, but I couldn’t find anything I really liked that I could afford.”

During her fruitless search, she spotted an ad on Craigslist, the Web site, for a moderately priced apartment in Parkchester in the East Bronx. Despite low expectations, she rode the No. 6 train there on a brisk autumn day.

“I came to Parkchester thinking I wasn’t going to like it, and I fell in love,” Ms. Liston recalled. “It was a green oasis, and the people were so nice. They’re not yuppies or whatever. They’re just really good people with solid income who want to invest and have a nice place to live.”

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