I disagree that "Gentrification" started in the 80's in NYC. It was the 80's that made it not a wasteland of abandoned or intentionally burned buildings due to improving finances for the city government itself. However the influx of transplants did not happen until the late 90's. Crime was still astronomical compared today until the mid 90's. It was still considered unsafe. Once the city was comparatively safer, the trend started which still continues today. Areas like Bushwick are now home to transplants from the midwest while 20-30 years ago they would never set foot in there.

Places like CBGB's held on until the 2000s. Working class people could still affordably live in most places in the city until then as well.