reporter--212 codes outside Manhattan?

Posts: 1 · New Forum Member Joined: Jul 02, 2004 Posts: 1

I'm a reporter working on an article about people's use of Voip to get 212 area codes even though they don't live in Manhattan--would be interested in speaking with people who've done this. If you have, please feel free to contact me here, or to email me at: mindlin [at] nytimes [dot] com.

All best,
Alex

Posts: 9 · New Forum Member Joined: Oct 01, 2004 Posts: 9

the 212 codes are saturated, it's not even possible to get them through Vonage as a customer living in manhattan. We are limited to 718 and 646 through Vonage.

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Sep 27, 2005 Posts: 3

Vonage now has (as of 9/18/2005, according to a forum on
dslreports.com) some 212 numbers available. I don't live
in Manhattan, and just got one. Don't know how many
they have -- going fast!

Posts: 33 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Jun 19, 2005 Posts: 33

nagni wrote:

Vonage now has (as of 9/18/2005, according to a forum on
dslreports.com) some 212 numbers available. I don't live
in Manhattan, and just got one. Don't know how many
they have -- going fast!

What is the big deal with a 212 area code?

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Sep 27, 2005 Posts: 3

When a commodity becomes rare, there is a tendency
for it to become coveted, and sometimes even prestigious.
The same has happened to 212 numbers -- as the big
midtown and downtown firms lapped up tens of thousands
of these numbers, they started becoming scarce, and
the 718 area code was introduced in 1985 for
non-Manhattan numbers. And when 212 numbers
became further scarce, 646 numbers began to be issued
to Manhattan customers.

To some New Yorkers, the 212 area code is representative
of the good old days, but to a lot of them, having a 212
number is an essential part of living here. There is an
episode of Seinfeld where Elaine gets a 646 number, and
a guy refuses to go out with her because of her area code.

However, my own personal observation is that the
prestige of the 212 area code has been decreasing over
the years. Or am I wrong?

Posts: 2252 · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 7:50 am Post subject:

212 does still have it's status. It tends to show longevity.

Posts: 33 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Sep 05, 2005 Posts: 33

Having grown up within an hour of NYC, I grew up to recognize (212) as a sign of having "made it". Back then, it meant you did your homework, you worked hard, and you've "arrived". Sort of like having a recognizable street address like Park Ave, Madison Ave, 5th Ave, or living in a famous building like the Dakota. When you get a phone call from certain area codes, people know where it comes from... 212 is one of those numbers.

Of course it didn't take long to use up all the 212 numbers. When they started running out, it became a huge deal to a lot of people who grew up expecting that living in Manhattan came with the privilege of having that area code. Granted, it's all in your head, but still, like any other luxury sports car, designer jeans or famous brand that doesn't necessary add value... there's a level of prestige that comes with ownership.

I have 4 212 numbers... including a rare 212 cell phone number. It's all in good fun. You can't fool me... 646 is not the new 212, and Brooklyn is not the new Manhattan! Lol

Posts: 33 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Jun 19, 2005 Posts: 33

Any people wonder why New Yorker's have the stigma's they do.

AHAHAHAHA Twisted Evil

Posts: 1715 · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 12:33 pm Post subject:

I just checked the Vonage website, no 212's available when trying to add a line or add a virtual #.

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Sep 27, 2005 Posts: 3

I just checked, and 212 is not on the list anymore. It was
definitely there two days ago -- I started a new Vonage
account with a 212 number. They must all be gone. Alas.
Sad