Is Philly crime really as bad as everyone says? (Philadelphia: house, neighborhoods)

[FromGA]

Lots of informative posts!

[TheRisingSon]

Atlanta's crime rate is not as high as Philadelphia's. Most people speculating on the crime and murder rate in Philly have not even stepped foot into the danger zones. I've lived my whole life in North Philadelphia and have been all over the city and can tell you this... There are areas where no man outside of that neighborhood should ever venture into, and there are areas ripe with culture. Mostly all of North Philadelphia (from Spring Garden all the way up to Olney) could be considered dangerous but not every neighborhood in North Philadelphia is as bad as many of you make it out to be. Philadelphia is a place where it's usually block by block. Meaning you can be in Hunting Park and experience a rich and dynamic Latin culture, but step onto the wrong block and its lights out. Same for North Central, Kensington, Old Kensington/Northern Liberties, West Allegheny, etc. In other words once you step onto a dangerous block, you'll know it. So just LIVING in North Philly or West Philly doesn't mean you're automatically going to die. Philadelphia has a lot going for it, and its undergoing a renaissance right now. Even Northern Liberties will have skyscrapers in a few years and there's a flood of people from New York and the South moving here.

So in short, keep your eyes open, watch where you're going and if possible get yourself a gun.

[solibs]

Originally Posted by TheRisingSon

Atlanta's crime rate is not as high as Philadelphia's.

I just checked the FBI stats and Atlanta has 26 murders per 100,000 while Philadelphia has 27 murders per 100,000. For robberies Atlanta has 719 per 100k while Philly has 715 per 100k. In most other categories Atlanta is also worse . . . so while it may have been an exaggeration to say that it's "far" worse it certainly is worse.

Mostly all of North Philadelphia (from Spring Garden all the way up to Olney) could be considered dangerous

You mean north of Girard up to Olney? I hardly consider Fairmount and Northern Liberties dangerous neighborhoods.

Even Northern Liberties will have skyscrapers in a few years and there's a flood of people from New York and the South moving here.

When was the last time you went anywhere south of Girard? NoLibs has condo towers. There are a few of the 30-story variety but not many because they have height restrictions for the neighborhood. What you do have is a slew of the 6-10 story variety.

[scubashawn68]

We are thinking of relocating to the area. I have never been to Philly but I can't imagine that it's really that much worse than any other city. I grew up in L.A. and was never scared. I lived in Savannah,GA and the crime there per capita was far worse than L.A. We also traveled to Atlanta quite a bit and never had a problem there or felt unsafe.
We would like to live in a nice area, close to everything. Any suggestions ? We like older homes, but are also interested in new homes. Are there any new home subdivisions around the area ?

[solibs]

Originally Posted by scubashawn68

We are thinking of relocating to the area. I have never been to Philly but I can't imagine that it's really that much worse than any other city. I grew up in L.A. and was never scared. I lived in Savannah,GA and the crime there per capita was far worse than L.A. We also traveled to Atlanta quite a bit and never had a problem there or felt unsafe.
We would like to live in a nice area, close to everything. Any suggestions ? We like older homes, but are also interested in new homes. Are there any new home subdivisions around the area ?

Yeah man, I lived in North Charleston, no picnic that place. I don't know Savannah well but I've heard the same thing - certain neighborhoods are great - others are horrific.

If you could be more specific about what you're looking for in Philly you'll get much better advice.

[bryson662001]

The bulk of crime in Philly (of course not all but most) is bad guys preying on bad guys and the families of bad guys living in specific bad neighborhoods and where they border good neighborhoods. The statistics that make crime seem high don't take that in to account but lump it all together. If those crimes could be separated out from the statistics that give the city it's reputation then Philly would be the safest city in the country. Like someone said if you aren't a black male between 16 and 40 living in the ghetto then you have nothing to worry about.......statistically.

[scubashawn68]

Originally Posted by solibs

Yeah man, I lived in North Charleston, no picnic that place. I don't know Savannah well but I've heard the same thing - certain neighborhoods are great - others are horrific.

If you could be more specific about what you're looking for in Philly you'll get much better advice.

More specific....let's see...
Basically a neighborhood or area where there would be lot's of kids my sons age (9). A clean, well kept area/neighborhood. Easy access to the city. Close to nice restaurants, stores and movie theater's. My son also plays a lot of youth basketball, so that is also important.
Is there anything other info I could give that would help someone direct us to a area to live ?
I will be working from a home office and traveling around the area, so does not really matter where.

[solibs]

This is a large metro with every type of housing and community imaginable. How far do you want to be from Center City? Will your son go to public/private/home school? What sort of housing style are you looking for? How big? How much do you want to spend? What type of town do you want to live in - a newer town with lots of new construction? An older town with a Main St.? Something in between?

[scubashawn68]

Originally Posted by solibs

This is a large metro with every type of housing and community imaginable. How far do you want to be from Center City? Will your son go to public/private/home school? What sort of housing style are you looking for? How big? How much do you want to spend? What type of town do you want to live in - a newer town with lots of new construction? An older town with a Main St.? Something in between?

Would like to be anywhere from 15-40 min to the city center. My son most likely would go to a public school. Housing style....My wife and I both like older homes...while I really prefer newer homes. So that would have to be negotiated between us. We can live in a home 1500 sq ft -2300 sq ft. I would like to stay under 200K because we still own a rental property in GA.
I would prefer a newer town with lots of new construction, but I think my wife would prefer the older town with a Main st. It all depends on the appeal. Does that help ?

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by scubashawn68

Would like to be anywhere from 15-40 min to the city center. My son most likely would go to a public school. Housing style....My wife and I both like older homes...while I really prefer newer homes. So that would have to be negotiated between us. We can live in a home 1500 sq ft -2300 sq ft. I would like to stay under 200K because we still own a rental property in GA.
I would prefer a newer town with lots of new construction, but I think my wife would prefer the older town with a Main st. It all depends on the appeal. Does that help ?

Under $200K will be tough unless you're comfortable with a TH. The cost of housing is definitely higher up here than in GA. I don't recall if you've mentioned in other posts whether you will be working in Center City. If not, then knowing your work location will help us in helping you.

I think your family may be happy in places like West Chester (which I see you're already looking into on another thread) and Media, for example. You may find some homes in your price range in one of the more working-class communities also in Delaware County. Other than that, you may have to travel out so far outside the city that any savings may be be eaten up by your commuting costs.