First time home buyer, fresh to philly for one year - Is Packer Park a good choice? (Girard: city hall)

[Utena520]

Hi all,

I am a guy in my late 20s. Moved to philly a year ago and now I can see myself staying in philly for at least the next 3-5 years. So given the low interest rate I think it is a good time for me to buy my first house (2 or 3 bedroom). My budget is around 450k.

Initially I thought I wanted to stay as close to my work as possible to avoid commute time (I work near the City Hall station). But after seeing quite a few condos/row houses in art museum/society hill/logan square/old city/northern liberties/rittenhouse/graduate hospital I found myself not impressed with what the properties within my price range can offer. I like broad street views, newer construction, high ceiling, and a spacious living room, and that sort of thing is hard to come by in center city with my budget. So I looked else where and found Packer Park. Went down there, toured the Reserve and totally loved it. Now I am looking at Siena Place, and the new constructions on Hartranft and it seems like I could get something I absolutely adore for about 400k, which is comfortably within my budget. The entire place has a nice suburban feel, yet it is very accessible through subway. Door-to-door my one-way commute time would be around 20-25 min, which is perfectly acceptable. Everything sounds great to me and it is exactly the kind of neighborhood I see myself living in.

So I am wondering if the neighborhood has any cons? The only bad thing I heard is that there is a refinery nearby, and it could get rowdy if people going to the park on weekends & nights get across the street and wander in the neighborhood. Are those two real concerns?

Btw I am married, but have no plan for kids in the near future and my spouse is working in another state. So for the foreseeable future it will be only me living in the house (which seems kinda scary if it is a 2500 square feet house).

[2e1m5a]

Yeah, my biggest concern would probably be all the extra cars and people around the area for Eagles/Phillies/etc. Cops don't let anyone but residents on the residential streets in Packer Park during events but it could be a hassle getting in and out of the area on those days with a car. Of course, if you're just walking to the subway it's not a big deal.

It seems you've thought it out and know what you want though. I am around that area often as my friend lives on Schley St. in Packer Park and I think it is a very nice, although older and very Italian, neighborhood. The homes at Siena and the Reserve do seem like a good value for people that are looking for those amenities.

But those homes are bigger than 2-3 bedrooms, so if you want something smaller don't (or I guess do) limit yourself!

Check out Girard Estates right next door too. There are some really beautiful homes (some twins) there, and it will be more walkable with a more neighborhood feel.

Fun Fact: FDR Park was designed by the same park architects that designed Central Park in NYC, the Olmsted Brothers.

[TimmyTightWad]

Unless you are a die hard sports fan or grew up around there I don't know why anyone would find that area attractive.
Close to refineries , bad traffic/parking on game nights, no real city walk-ability (at least compared to the other side of Broad). Siena Place fills most of your criteria but it just seems like typical cookie cutter townhomes to me. At your price point you should be able to find something nice in Grad Hosp, Manayunk, Mt. Airy, etc. Girard Estates isn't bad either. Homes have more charm and you may save yourself $100k or so.