Safe but affordable neighborhoods (Philadelphia: apartment, rentals, condo)

[PHLFCO]

Hello!


I'm in my last year of undergrad at Temple University and I'll be starting grad school for engineering at Temple next year. My roommates and I have lived near Temple's campus for the last few years and we've outgrown the neighborhood. We've had three shootings near our block within the past year and we're ready to move on. We're looking to move to a safer neighborhood somewhere else in Philly.



Two of us will be commuting to Temple most days next year for grad school and we like to go out in Center City sometimes so we'd like to be close to the BSL, MFL, or one of the trolley lines in West Philly. I'd also consider also living near regional rail in Zone 1 and getting a monthly pass. I'll also have a car next year so I'd like parking not to be too bad in whatever neighborhood we end up.



Some of the neighborhoods we've thought of so far:


Passyunk Square (near Snyder stop) - my concern is the lack of parking (is this true?)



Cedar Park/ Squirrel Hill - seems to work but I've heard mixed things about Squirrel Hill's safety



East Falls - nice but slightly removed from the rest of the city


What do you all think? I'm sure I could have missed a neighborhood that would work for us. We're looking for places that are safe but still affordable.


When are you moving? July 2018
Where are you coming from? North Philadelphia
Why are you moving? Looking to move to a safer and cleaner neighborhood.
Where will you be working? Studying at Temple University
Have you been here yet? I've lived here for 3 years near Temple University

Will you buy or rent? Rent
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend?
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend? 3 bedrooms (for 3 people). Ideally less than $1700 / mo
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up? Either would work.

Do you have a preference of living in a NJ or PA suburb? PA
(If you answered NJ - post your answers here: http://www.city-data.com/forum/phila...-philadelphia/)

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Single.
Do you prefer public or private schools? N/A
Do you have pets? No
Do you want or need a yard? We don't need a yard.
Are you keeping a car?Yes, one car.
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? Quieter street but walking distance to activity

What do you want to be closest to?
School - 3
Shopping - 5
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.) - 2
Nightlife - 4
Train or subway stations - 1

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? Other people in their 20s would be nice

Favorite Beverage - Craft Beer, wine, water? Wine



Thank you everyone for your help!

[MarketStEl]

I might suggest that if:

--you are looking for a safe but affordable neighborhood
--you plan on hanging on to your car

you're going to end up in an outlying neighborhood well away from Center City, in which case I'd recommend you switch your priorities about proximity to public transit vs. nightlife unless you end up renting in Manayunk.

$1700 for a 3br will be difficult to find closer to Center City. East Passyunk, maybe, ditto Point Breeze.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by PHLFCO

Hello!


I'm in my last year of undergrad at Temple University and I'll be starting grad school for engineering at Temple next year. My roommates and I have lived near Temple's campus for the last few years and we've outgrown the neighborhood. We've had three shootings near our block within the past year and we're ready to move on. We're looking to move to a safer neighborhood somewhere else in Philly.



Two of us will be commuting to Temple most days next year for grad school and we like to go out in Center City sometimes so we'd like to be close to the BSL, MFL, or one of the trolley lines in West Philly. I'd also consider also living near regional rail in Zone 1 and getting a monthly pass. I'll also have a car next year so I'd like parking not to be too bad in whatever neighborhood we end up.



Some of the neighborhoods we've thought of so far:


Passyunk Square (near Snyder stop) - my concern is the lack of parking (is this true?)



Cedar Park/ Squirrel Hill - seems to work but I've heard mixed things about Squirrel Hill's safety



East Falls - nice but slightly removed from the rest of the city


What do you all think? I'm sure I could have missed a neighborhood that would work for us. We're looking for places that are safe but still affordable.


When are you moving? July 2018
Where are you coming from? North Philadelphia
Why are you moving? Looking to move to a safer and cleaner neighborhood.
Where will you be working? Studying at Temple University
Have you been here yet? I've lived here for 3 years near Temple University

Will you buy or rent? Rent
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend?
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend? 3 bedrooms (for 3 people). Ideally less than $1700 / mo
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up? Either would work.

Do you have a preference of living in a NJ or PA suburb? PA
(If you answered NJ - post your answers here: http://www.city-data.com/forum/phila...-philadelphia/)

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Single.
Do you prefer public or private schools? N/A
Do you have pets? No
Do you want or need a yard? We don't need a yard.
Are you keeping a car?Yes, one car.
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? Quieter street but walking distance to activity

What do you want to be closest to?
School - 3
Shopping - 5
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.) - 2
Nightlife - 4
Train or subway stations - 1

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? Other people in their 20s would be nice

Favorite Beverage - Craft Beer, wine, water? Wine



Thank you everyone for your help!

How about just going a bit further south on the BSL and not all the way to S. Philly. To Spring Garden or Callowhill(near the Rail Park/Chinatown)brand new rentals: the new Hamilton complex and high rise Alexander

I have a cousin who lives in E. Falls with her partner and loves it but it's very car dependent.

[chessimprov]

East Falls totally, or maybe Wynnefield Heights or Roxborough.