Drexel Hill (Philadelphia, Chester, West Chester: middle-class, apartment, crime)

[cards52]

I am looking for a decent suburb that is still pretty close to Philadelphia. I know nothing about the area other than what I read here and on other sites, and it seems there are some varying opinions about Drexel Hill. Thoughts on the area would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[rainrock]

Drexel Hill is pretty solid. The housing stock in many areas is stone tudors with mature trees. Its definitely worth a look. Media is about 5 miles to the west of DH, check that out too.

[cards52]

Thanks rainrock. Let me ask a more specific question: Over the next 5 to 10 years do you see Drexel Hill benefiting from the money in the surrounding areas, or will it be effected negatively by bad elements coming out from West Philadelphia. Basically, do you see the area improving or going downhill?

[rainrock]

Originally Posted by cards52

Thanks rainrock. Let me ask a more specific question: Over the next 5 to 10 years do you see Drexel Hill benefiting from the money in the surrounding areas, or will it be effected negatively by bad elements coming out from West Philadelphia. Basically, do you see the area improving or going downhill?

Its an older area and unless you have a setup like the Mainline,Swarthmore/Media, or West Chester then the older areas are eventually going to lose value over the long term. Most of new money is moving further and further away from the city. That being said its still a pretty stable neighborhood and I don't see anything in the near future that will change that.

[William shivers]

DH is a great area, but there are problems, taxes highest in the area, 4000-6000 on most single homes, however you can buy a nice single home for 200-250,000. They have decent schools but UD high school is your only choice at that level. DH has stayed the same over the last 30 years, taxes and the price of homes keep it there. there are plenty of other parts of UD where it's closer to philly and has been affected. Your best buy is in the marple, newtown square area, good schools, lowest taxes. Havertown is great and media is good also

[passdoubt]

I don't see Drexel Hill changing much over the next 10 years. It's going to be considered one of the better parts of eastern Delaware County for the foreseeable future. It still offers affordable homes in safe, well-kept neighborhoods, especially compared to other inner-ring suburbs close to Philadelphia.

[mk2shz]

I'm thinking of moving to Drexel Hill - have heard conflicting reports on safety. I'm a single, middle aged white female and have concerns about this area - heard the UDHS is not good; crime stats on the area are worsening - any feedback would help greatly - thanks

[Boompa]

Originally Posted by mk2shz

I'm thinking of moving to Drexel Hill - have heard conflicting reports on safety. I'm a single, middle aged white female and have concerns about this area - heard the UDHS is not good; crime stats on the area are worsening - any feedback would help greatly - thanks

Upper Darby gave us Tina Fey and Jim Crocci among others. The collapse has been in Upper Darby itself more than Drexel Hill. Why te concern about the shool, are you a teacher?

DrexelBrook was a pretty good area with easy access to the city but again my knowledge is 20 years old

[Sassygirl18]

One thing to be aware of - property taxes in Drexel Hill are through the roof. Taxes on a $300K house average about $8,000/year.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by Boompa

Upper Darby gave us Tina Fey and Jim Crocci among others. The collapse has been in Upper Darby itself more than Drexel Hill. Why te concern about the shool, are you a teacher?

DrexelBrook was a pretty good area with easy access to the city but again my knowledge is 20 years old

Don't forget Jamie Kennedy!

Drexel Hill is a bit of a leafy middle/upper-middle class "oasis" in what is a largely working-class to lower middle-class town. Parents who aren't pleased with the high school often send their kids to the adjacent single-sex Catholic schools just down the road. Drexelbrook would seem like a nice area but anecdotally speaking, the namesake apartment community was coasting on its reputation when I lived in the Upper Darby area in the late 90's-early '00's.