Erie- What parts of the east side are okay? (Pittsburgh: to rent, insurance)

[ddg1996]

I've found several homes throughout the city, some being on the east side. I'm particularly interested in a home on E 20th st near Franklin ave.

I've heard the east side can be rough so I'm unsure. My only major concern is violent crime, and I've seen some conflicting stuff about that area. I don't care too much about things like theft or seeing junkies, I just don't want to get stabbed or mugged walking down my street.

[Ohiogirl81]

I'd look elsewhere. That's not a particularly pleasant part of town, sandwiched between the railroad tracks and the projects.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81

I'd look elsewhere. That's not a particularly pleasant part of town, sandwiched between the railroad tracks and the projects.

How often does violent crime impact bystanders in Erie? I'm just curious because I have lived in a "very bad" neighborhood of Pittsburgh for over three years now after buying my first home here, and I have rarely felt threatened or unsafe. I pick up litter here all the time and have met hundreds of neighborhood residents---many of whom I've befriended (white and Black alike). It might be a good investment to break the rent cycle and buy a cheap first home in a "very bad" neighborhood if one's likelihood of being RANDOMLY shot or targeted or mugged or raped is next to nil. My neighborhood might have a lot of crime, but it very rarely impacts innocent people.

Those in the gang life or drug trade generally try not to hurt bystanders because they know heightened media coverage, public outcry, police scrutiny, etc. is bad for their business. Cops might not care as much about a dead Crip/Blood or a dead dealer, but if a child or jogger or grandma is also caught in crossfire and killed any city will generally unleash a wrath of police saturation fury that will net a lot of arrests.

I also say this as someone who loves Erie and who thinks it is only going to get better if we stop scaring everyone away from an entire half of the city, especially if more of these upstanding people moving in CAN help turn the tide for the better.

[trackstar13]

Originally Posted by ddg1996

I've found several homes throughout the city, some being on the east side. I'm particularly interested in a home on E 20th st near Franklin ave.

I've heard the east side can be rough so I'm unsure. My only major concern is violent crime, and I've seen some conflicting stuff about that area. I don't care too much about things like theft or seeing junkies, I just don't want to get stabbed or mugged walking down my street.

The lower east side closer to State street and Erie Insurance is not particularly bad and being surrounded by Erie Insurance provides some extra security. I like the area right near the East Ave. boat launch.

[armourereric]

I bought a house back in 1991 in the 800 block of German. Never got to rent it out, had an unsolicited offer for twice what I paid 6 months after I bought it. Paid $14,400, sold it for $32,000. Lat summer, I was in Erie for the first time in 28 years, drove past the house, I was actually nervous enough to hit the gas and high tail out of there. This was at 3 pm.

[gg]

Originally Posted by armourereric

I bought a house back in 1991 in the 800 block of German. Never got to rent it out, had an unsolicited offer for twice what I paid 6 months after I bought it. Paid $14,400, sold it for $32,000. Lat summer, I was in Erie for the first time in 28 years, drove past the house, I was actually nervous enough to hit the gas and high tail out of there. This was at 3 pm.

I don't know Erie very well and you peaked my interest, so I went on Google Maps and used street view. It didn't look too good, but what was more interesting was the 800 black was an older recording by the google truck than the rest of the street. Seems they didn't want to enter. I think I would steer clear, but it is a shame as the homes could be nice on that cool street. Shame.