Scranton Guy to Philly (Philadelphia, Austin: for rent, home, safe neighborhood)

[ScrantonND]

Hello,

I really like Scranton but unfortunately will have to move to go into the working field I want. I was hoping someone can help me out with neighborhoods that share the same values that I grew up with. I am 23 and come from a working class, blue collar neighborhood that is heavily Irish. I want a safe neighborhood that would remind me of a more urban Scranton.

If they is anybody that knows both cities, can you help me out here with the location, prices, schools, etc.

Thanks

[JerzBoy]

The Mayfair section of Northeast Philly or the "2" Street section of South Philly may be what you are looking for. Both are riverfront communities with large irish populations. Are you looking to buy or rent? As far as schools go - the Philly public schools aren't the greatest for sure. Are you looking for k-12 education or college education?

[billb7581]

I work with a lot of guys from Mayfair.. neighborhood is decent but the schools are a joke. Most opt for Catholic school.

Zip Code would be 19136

[ScranBarre]

Oh dear. In two weeks I have now found two folks moving out of Scranton. Does the population freefall ever end? At this rate I'll be the only 21-year-old moving INTO the city at a time when all of my peers have fled. Thank you, Austin Burke, for making our city's largest export its educated people who are unwilling to settle to work as telemarketers or forklift operators. In any event I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors! Philly is an awesome city overall, although as with any city there are certainly areas one must avoid at all costs.

[ScrantonND]

Originally Posted by JerzBoy

The Mayfair section of Northeast Philly or the "2" Street section of South Philly may be what you are looking for. Both are riverfront communities with large irish populations. Are you looking to buy or rent? As far as schools go - the Philly public schools aren't the greatest for sure. Are you looking for k-12 education or college education?

Thanks for the info,

I am looking to rent at first, but eventually will buy in a year or two if I like the place. Do you have any idea the rent for a 1 br in the areas you mentioned? And it would be greatly appreciated it someone could further ex[lain the overall nature of the neighborhoood (i.e. people, housing style, parking, commute downtown).

I know very little about Philly. I have a decent grasp of what South Philly looks like, but have never been to or traveled through Northeast Philly. I heard it was very suburban like?

[ScrantonND]

Originally Posted by SWB

Oh dear. In two weeks I have now found two folks moving out of Scranton. Does the population freefall ever end? At this rate I'll be the only 21-year-old moving INTO the city at a time when all of my peers have fled. Thank you, Austin Burke, for making our city's largest export its educated people who are unwilling to settle to work as telemarketers or forklift operators. In any event I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors! Philly is an awesome city overall, although as with any city there are certainly areas one must avoid at all costs.

Thanks,

Yeah I wish I can stay, but there are 0 jobs in my field. Your right about Austin Burke, I have heard some horror stories regarding some decisions that guy has made. I have read some of your posts regarding Scranton. I used to have the same outlook as you (optimism) to Scrantons future redevelopment. Then It slowly started to evaporate when all these big projects started to get nixed. I like Mayor Doherty, and would probly vote for him again, but there are a lot of shady moves he does. Like the recent mass exodus of highly qualified city department heads only to be replaced by vastly unqualified people of his close aquaintance at the same salary. But hey, you get the good with the bad. And we can always be thankful that JaNUT Evans isn't mayor.
Scranton is what it is. A great place to raise a family, extemely safe, and a place with a very good bar scene.

I wish you all the luck in your move.

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by ScrantonND

Thanks for the info,

I am looking to rent at first, but eventually will buy in a year or two if I like the place. Do you have any idea the rent for a 1 br in the areas you mentioned? And it would be greatly appreciated it someone could further ex[lain the overall nature of the neighborhoood (i.e. people, housing style, parking, commute downtown).

I know very little about Philly. I have a decent grasp of what South Philly looks like, but have never been to or traveled through Northeast Philly. I heard it was very suburban like?

One popular nickname for Northeast Philly is "the concrete suburb". You'll see a lot of relatively quiet rowhome neighborhoods with relatively small yards. Upscale Chestnut Hill, West Mt. Airy and even parts of East Falls to some extent resemble in-town suburbs.

Like with the majority of Philly, street parking is the norm, albeit not as challenging to find as in other sections of town. Mass transit can be a bit cumbersome in that area if you're trying to get downtown. There are a lot of buses and a few light rail trolley routes. The higher-speed options like the Market-Frankford "El" (elevated train) and the Regional Rail lines aren't so convenient in much of NE Philly.

Although the area is diversifying, it is still known as the home of many ethnic white enclaves including your fellow Irishmen. If you're content to hit a bar or restaurant on occasion, you might be satisfied with the nightlife options there. Otherwise you will want to head down to Center City for more trendy and cultural options.

[newmarlig]

My personal opinion is that you are moving into a large vibrant city and should embrace the opportunity to experience that. I suggest you look into the Pennsport area (a/k/a two street). It is a large working class Irish community and is close to center city. I'm not sure what kind of school you are referring to.

Pennsport, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Some housing in the area:


philadelphia craigslist > apts/housing for rent: search for "Pennsport"