How bad is Norristown? (Philadelphia, King of Prussia: real estate, apartment complex, leasing)

[nerdygirl]

I came here when I moved to Baltimore last year, so when I found out that I'm being transferred to PA, I decided to come here and get some input.

I've heard bad things about Norristown, despite having found some inexpensive apartments (well, duh, that makes sense). Recently I've found an awesome apartment that I can afford in West Norriton off Forrest just south of Sterigere. The area seemed nice upon driving through, but when I asked the lady showing me the apartment about crime she couldn't tell me anything, literally. Something about a fair housing act?

First of all, can someone explain to me why she couldn't tell me anything about crime?

Second of all, can someone give me some input on what crime is like in that area? I don't drive a flashy car that people would want to steal or anything, but I don't want to spazz out if I forget to take the face off my stereo at night... Also, I'm a early-20s white female - not exactly threatening. I just don't want to be bothered on my way home from work.

[Ohiogirl81]

I just sent you a message ... But what was your impression about the apartment complex? Did it seem well-managed? Were the grounds generally clean and well-kept? Were there any people walking around the grounds? Did you feel comfortable there?

I haven't been past the complex itself that I remember, so I can only tell you my impressions of the neighborhood itself, which are favorable. It's fairly quiet and neighborly. Just judging from the crime reports in the Times-Herald, not a whole lot of crime goes on in that area. When I was looking to buy, I looked at several homes in the area and it seemed very solid and safe to me.

Good luck, and ask away if you have any more questions.

[orrmobl]

My friend bought in West Norriton, Glen Lane to be exact, because that's what he could afford...honestly tho I would look elsewhere to rent because rents are only so high and you will get a lot more for your money in terms of neighborhood and amenities looking elsewhere...the immediate area is safe but areas to the south are less safe, to not safe at night, and just generally rundown looking...his apt/townhome complex is ok but the corner by the school and the vicinity looks shady...I would keep looking...

And some realtors stick to the pledge not to tell you anything about the neighborhood schools, demographics, etc. But many do not, and I cannot believe this woman wouldn't tell a single woman if she could feel safe there or not...either a bad realtor or she has a vested interest in renting the place and doesn't want to spook you...I would call the police station for crime stats...or just poke around the internet...or here

Here's some stats:
W. Norriton Avg of Best Places to Live in America
Personal crime incidents (per 1,000) 1 13
Property crime incidents (per 1,000) 22 206

So its very safe accoding to those stats...

[nerdygirl]

Well i'm not concerned about rent, I'm getting this apt on special for a very good rate. I'm very curious as to what the "elsewhere" you're suggesting, because I've looked around and most of what I've found is about on par with this place, but if you have more specific suggestions I would be more than interested. Glen Lane appears to be in the condos adjacent to the place I've found (Bittersweet Court to be exact).

"Shady-looking" areas are not necessarily so. When I drove by I saw kids walking home from school. I've lived in areas that appeared to be very "shady-looking" but were perfectly safe. It depends on the people who live there, not the condition of the landscape.

The complex itself seems to be well-kept, some buildings moreso than others. When I went to visit (which I am doing again today) I saw a little kid playing outside with his dad (despite the frigid temps?).

The lady who showed me the apartment was not a realtor, she worked in the leasing office. I am aware of the general motivation to get an apartment leased, and I'm taking that into consideration, but I don't think that is a primary motivation to not say anything about crime. I'm not sure what that's all about, but I have been trying to do some research on crime in the area, though I'm not having a whole lot of luck.

[Duderino]

I'm not too familiar with specific neighborhoods of Norristown, but I'd say MOST of the crime reputation that Norristown has is from being the primary point of drug dealing in the western suburbs. Violent crime is certainly not unheard of, but I'd hardly say it's rampant (it's not North Philly, after all). You can actually look at some crime stats compiled by city-data:

Norristown, Pennsylvania (PA) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news, sex offenders

[nerdygirl]

Originally Posted by Duderino

I'm not too familiar with specific neighborhoods of Norristown, but I'd say MOST of the crime reputation that Norristown has is from being the primary point of drug dealing in the western suburbs. Violent crime is certainly not unheard of, but I'd hardly say it's rampant (it's not North Philly, after all). You can actually look at some crime stats compiled by city-data:

Norristown, Pennsylvania (PA) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news, sex offenders

i found the profile, but it's not very specific to neighborhoods. the neighborhood i'm looking at has been called "Norristown", "West Norriton", "Jeffersonville" and "Eagleville", so it's kindof a toss-up. There's no profile for Jeffersonville, but the profiles for all the others tell very different stories, so they don't really help, exactly.

To be more specific, the neighborhood I'm asking about is just south of Norristown State Hospital/Norristown Farm Park. I've heard some decent things, but I'm always up for more info.

[orrmobl]

Not sure where you're working but Conshohocken comes to mind...my friend was paying $750 or $850 for a two bedroom apartment there and it has a walkable downtown area with bars, restaurants, etc...up and coming area, lot's of young singles, students, etc...much more lifestyle and less bad areas than West Norriton...you could also look further out towards Jeffersonville, Blue Bell...nicer areas with no shady sections...how bout King of Prussia?

The State Hospital area is rough from what my buddy told me...but the area you're looking I think is far enough away...there are beautiful old homes in Norristown and you can get them for a steal, if you don't mind the horrendous schools or being in the minority if you are white...

[Ohiogirl81]

Which is exactly why I bought a house in Norristown. Where else could I get a decent-sized house on a 39-foot wide lot for less than $250,000? The thought of living in a row house in Philadelphia -- or anywhere else, for that matter -- with my neighbors right on top of me made me slightly nauseous ...

[trainurk9]

I have lived in Norristown for over 12 yrs now. I originally moved to the Philly area from Knoxville, TN. It was quite a culture shock!!

I lived on W. Lafayette st for a while - a bit scary at times. I wouldn't venture out at night, even to walk my large dog. I decided to move out once a couple of kids got shot a block away. There was a lot of drug dealing, late night drunken fights, and a few hookers.

I live near montgomery hospital now - it is a much nicer area for the time being. Unfortunately, the hospital is going to move in a few years and I fear it will be the end of the nice quiet little area I live.

I will offer this bit of advice, don't leave anything on your porch you can't live without. Stuff has a tendency to sprout legs and disappear occasionally. I personally have had 3 bikes stolen, my neighbor had a go-kart stolen, my other neighbor had her wicker porch seating stolen. But, it is much safer here than the old neighbrohood.

On the plus side, Norristown is smack dab in the middle of a lot of nice places. 15 mins from the KOP Mall / rt. 422, 20 min from the main line/villanova area, 10 mins to conshohoken, 5-10 min to Germantown pike (mercy suburban hospital), 10 min from plymouth meeting (with turnpike and blue route access) and 15 mins to Blue Bell area (montgomery county community college - great school BTW) and about 10 min to audobon/oaks areas.

Also - if you find yourself without a car - great bus services in and out of norristown!

[Norry]

I'm planning on moving to Curren Terrace, an apartment complex @ 1011 New Hope Street. Any advice or info about this part of Norristown? I'm not at all familiar with the city, but all I've read so far about it sounds very scary. My intent is to live there for about a year, while working on purchasing a home in any suburb near KoP where I'll be working. I'll be moving with my wife and our eight year old daughter. Any info or advice would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your input.