The Northeast (Philadelphia, Oxford, Penn: renters, safe neighborhoods, public schools)

[Pennsport]

So, is NE Philly totally screwed now that the city proper is rapidly gentrifying and a ton of poverty-stricken are getting pushed up that way? I have a few good friends who grew up there in the 90s who tell me entire neighborhoods have been completely marginalized over the last couple of decades. What will the 2020s look like for this large section of the city? Just curious from those who know the area better than me.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by Pennsport

So, is NE Philly totally screwed now that the city proper is rapidly gentrifying and a ton of poverty-stricken are getting pushed up that way? I have a few good friends who grew up there in the 90s who tell me entire neighborhoods have been completely marginalized over the last couple of decades. What will the 2020s look like for this large section of the city? Just curious from those who know the area better than me.

Last few decades. Decades meaning what? 40 years ago? 30? 20? What do they mean by marginalized? Probably something racial. But what do they mean?

Well, the parts that I go to regularly( Oxford Circle, Rhawnhurst, Pennypack, Mayfair and Fox Chase) are not too different residentially. There's a Brazilian restaurant that I absolutely love at Castor and Unruh.

The Upper NE( Somerton and Byberry) are kinda "attached" to Bucks and probably always will be.

[Pennsport]

By decades I mean from when they were in high school in the early to mid-90s. So I guess the last 25/30 years. By marginalized, they basically mean unsafe and trashed. Nothing racial implied.

Agree with your Far NE statement. i see that as almost a separate area that really isn't impacted. I only ask because I don't know the NE well at all (simply going on what I'm told) and I'm curious.

[bursitis]

Originally Posted by Pennsport

By decades I mean from when they were in high school in the early to mid-90s. So I guess the last 25/30 years. By marginalized, they basically mean unsafe and trashed. Nothing racial implied.

Agree with your Far NE statement. i see that as almost a separate area that really isn't impacted. I only ask because I don't know the NE well at all (simply going on what I'm told) and I'm curious.

The Lower NE (Wissinoming, Mayfair, Tacony, Holmesburg, Oxford Circle, Rhawnhurst, Summerdale, Lawndale, Lawncrest) has serious problems. They used to all be solid, safe neighborhoods, but in the last thirty years, with the demographic shift, they've grown steadily worse with no relief in sight.


Frankford has always been a hellhole.


Even Fox Chase is facing obstacles.


Holme Circle, Winchester Park, Lexington Park, Torresdale, Bustleton and Somerton all seem to be doing OK.


Parkwood and Morrell Park are alright.


The public schools are probably stressful for normal kids. I wouldn't send my kids to one unless I had no other choice. And at that I would have them trained in self-defense.

[Pennsport]

Originally Posted by bursitis

The Lower NE (Wissinoming, Mayfair, Tacony, Holmesburg, Oxford Circle, Rhawnhurst, Summerdale, Lawndale, Lawncrest) has serious problems. They used to all be solid, safe neighborhoods, but in the last thirty years, with the demographic shift, they've grown steadily worse with no relief in sight.


Frankford has always been a hellhole.


Even Fox Chase is facing obstacles.


Holme Circle, Winchester Park, Lexington Park, Torresdale, Bustleton and Somerton all seem to be doing OK.


Parkwood and Morrell Park are alright.


The public schools are probably stressful for normal kids. I wouldn't send my kids to one unless I had no other choice. And at that I would have them trained in self-defense.

Yeah, this is pretty much what my friends who grew up there have told me. Two of them grew up on the 6000 block of Large St. (I think?) and they said their neighborhood has become a straight up ghetto... Shame. I think that's the Mayfair neighborhood, or maybe Oxford Circle?

[selhars]

I'm curious also.
Since there's "nothing racial implied" what exactly is the "demographic shift" people are talking about?

[maf763]

Originally Posted by selhars

I'm curious also.
Since there's "nothing racial implied" what exactly is the "demographic shift" people are talking about?

I hope you're not expecting a straight answer.

[Pennsport]

Originally Posted by selhars

I'm curious also.
Since there's "nothing racial implied" what exactly is the "demographic shift" people are talking about?

I can only speak for myself, but as you quoted my statement of "nothing racial implied' (which there wasn't and isn't), I feel like I should address your question. I don't know the NE at all. I have no idea what the racial make-up is, nor percentage of ethnic change, and honestly I don't care. I'm simply inquiring about a trend four of my very good college friends and roommates have vocalized (two of whom are AA that I played football with and remain two of my closest friends, BTW). All four grew up in the NE in the early 90s. They claim that many neighborhoods have aggressively declined, since they went away to college to current day. Let's not make this racial. I'm asking about the health, and possible future of the neighborhoods. Nothing more than that...

[NYtoNJtoPA]

The Queens of Philadelphia. It's become more diverse probably than past generations. I find it interesting how the one person called Somerton and Bustleton "attached" to Bucks County. Which yes it is hard to tell when the city ends and where the suburbs begin apart from the street signs, but Bensalem has its less desirable areas too.

[FindingZen]

Well, when a neighborhood gets gentrified and longtime renters and overtaxed homeowners get pushed out, they have to go somewhere. You can't just put them on a bus and send them to Camden (as much as that idea might appeal to some Philadelphians).

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, until the region and/or state decides to invest in the quality of life for the city's most economically challenged, they will go where they can afford.