Lansdowne Info Needed Immediately! (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh: low crime, homes, neighborhood)

[annieeb]

I am looking for personal opinions of the Lansdowne area!
The place I am looking at is in the neighborhood between 69th Street, Garrett Road and south of Walnut Street.

I have been reading thread after thread, as well as crime reports and statistics. I understand that this is not the BEST part of Lansdowne/Upper Darby, but how bad is bad? Statistically it is much safer than part of West Philly (Overbrook etc), but what is the vibe?

If it matters, we are two 20-somethings; white female, black male. We will be moving for work. He has lived in West and North Philly before, so it is a familiar environment for him, but I never have.

Any and all info appreciated! Thank you Philadelphians!

[alphons3k]

havent seen any crime here in 8yrs.

[rere0321]

It's a relatively safe environment. I have lived in the area for a few years and my parents own a property around walnut street in Upper Darby. Never had any issues and honestly there was one incident with my neighbor however it was very personal because it was her ex-boyfriend. It is very safe compared to West and North Philly. I feel safe waking in the neighborhood. The cops do frequent the neighborhood a lot. It may look very shady in the area and as a female who's been in the area for less than 5 years I can tell you that I am comfortable being in the neighborhood. Although I am moving outside the county because of my husband job and starting a family, the cost of living is very reasonable for a young couple.And I will tell you from experience that they know who live in the area and who doesn't.

[Ant$]

the further west, the better....try getting west of Lansdowne Ave...

I live on Owen and Garrett and I love it here

[elliotgb]

Originally Posted by annieeb

I am looking for personal opinions of the Lansdowne area!
The place I am looking at is in the neighborhood between 69th Street, Garrett Road and south of Walnut Street.

I have been reading thread after thread, as well as crime reports and statistics. I understand that this is not the BEST part of Lansdowne/Upper Darby, but how bad is bad? Statistically it is much safer than part of West Philly (Overbrook etc), but what is the vibe?

If it matters, we are two 20-somethings; white female, black male. We will be moving for work. He has lived in West and North Philly before, so it is a familiar environment for him, but I never have.

Any and all info appreciated! Thank you Philadelphians!

Here is a website for you.
Not sure that it details crime statistics, but a good read anyway: Lansdowne Borough, Pennsylvania: Home

[elliotgb]

Here is something on crime stats that also compares neighboring towns: http://www.city-data.com/crime/crime...nsylvania.html

Looks like more robberies, break-ins, etc. than violent crime.

Borders on parts of Philly, Darby, Yeadon, etc.

Check the stats on Darby!
Stay out of Darby!

[TimmyTightWad]

It's safe, the biggest issue in Lansdowne is dropping property value and property taxes.

[Burger Fan]

Originally Posted by TimmyTightWad

It's safe, the biggest issue in Lansdowne is dropping property value and property taxes.

If either the Governor's or the PA House's proposal for property tax reduction and increased school funding is passed in June, I can see prices there going through the roof.

[TimmyTightWad]

Originally Posted by Burger Fan

If either the Governor's or the PA House's proposal for property tax reduction and increased school funding is passed in June, I can see prices there going through the roof.

Maybe, but I doubt it. Unfortunately the issue isn't completely about property tax. Lansdowne and Drexel Hill aren't hot any more.

[Burger Fan]

Originally Posted by TimmyTightWad

Maybe, but I doubt it. Unfortunately the issue isn't completely about property tax. Lansdowne and Drexel Hill aren't hot any more.

Lansdowne is undervalued, mostly because of absurdly high property taxes within the WPSD, and also because the school district is horrendous- easily among the state's worst. (edit: William Penn School District was ranked 488th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts, in 2012, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. To get any worse you'd have to go to Chester Upland). Fix either of these two issues let alone both, and you'll see a rise in property values.

It has just about everything else going for it- close proximity to the city with reasonable commute times and robust public transportation options (the R3 media elwyn runs directly through it), and fairly low crime- noticeably lower than Darby, Yeadon, and Upper Darby which act as a "buffer" between lansdowne and some of the seedier parts of west Philadelphia. There's no shortage of parks and green space, and there are some VERY large, well kept homes on decent sized lots for much cheaper than you would expect.

I'd say Drexel Hill is in the same boat- sorta. High taxes plus upper darby school district not being great (though admittedly nowhere near as bad as WPSD) mean it's not a "hot" place to live anymore, though IIRC the homes in the Drexel Park section (which send their kids to the haverford SD) command a premium over the rest of DH.