LaSalle University area? (Washington: high crime, townhomes, dorms)

[1ejp]

My daughter is interested in Lasalle but before we visit I thought I would gather some information about the surronding area regarding crime,drugs, poverty etc.. We are from Long Island, NY and are not familiar we Phily at all. Any info will be helpful.

[newmarlig]

Not the best area to live. I suggest center city (Washington Square West would be a good choice) or Bella Vista (a bit south of center city). She can take the Broad Street subway to LaSalle.

[MoorestownResident]

Look at Rowan or Rider in NJ.

[JHG722]

Temple is a significantly better school.

[newmarlig]

Originally Posted by JHG722

Temple is a significantly better school.

The OP didn't ask about the school, just the area. However, I would also suggest Temple over LaSalle. My housing advice remains the same (although living on campus at Temple is apparently ok now).

[solibs]

I think, in terms of neighborhood and housing, LaSalle wins. In terms of amenities and access to Center City, Temple wins.

There's not much around LaSalle. They're just in the process of building a grocery store now.

If you want an informed answer you should get a sampling of opinions of people who live on and off campus there. I live at the other end of the city and what I know about it is from driving through it and going to the campus 3x in the last 4 years.

I've only walked around there during the day. It didn't seem like a sketchy place and all of the students I saw walking around on or off campus looked pretty relaxed. If she's going to go there for 4 years I would say put her in the dorms for the first year or two. If/when she moves off-campus move to Center City or South Philly close to the subway.

I think a lot of problems with off-campus students in University City and LaSalle and around Temple has to do with students getting drunk and doing dumb stuff or going to class and leaving the windows open or the door unlocked . . . to come home and find their laptop or TV gone.

[fathergll]

Considering the high crime location and the steep price of the school I personally would never recommend that as a school to attend.

I visited the school numerous times a 4+ years ago as I had a friend attending there so i have an idea of the area and school. If you have her live on campus for the 4 years then not a lot to worry about in reality. Thats because the security there is setup like a prison. The dorms are fine and a lot of 3/4th year students live in these townhomes that they have setup in a secure fenced area. Its safe inside no doubt but the surrounding areas are not safe. General rule to walk in groups when going to off campus parties at night.

[orrmobl]

I went there one time on a Friday night to pick up my friend's cousin and I was quite sketched out. Now mind you I went to USC in Watts, LA (near Compton) for 2 years, I've lived in this area my whole life, have seen the good and bad areas of the city...and I would have to say this has to be the 2nd most scary place I've been to...the first was a bad section of Germantown 17 years ago in broad daylight - and there were burnt out cars, barricades, boarded up homes...looked like a war zone...never went there again...

I would recommend St. Joe's for the La Salle flava with a little less of the danger IMO...

[JHG722]

Yeah, I'd recommend SJU over LaSalle too, although IMHO, neither are worth anywhere near their tuition costs.

[solibs]

Originally Posted by orrmobl

I went there one time on a Friday night to pick up my friend's cousin and I was quite sketched out. Now mind you I went to USC in Watts, LA (near Compton) for 2 years, I've lived in this area my whole life, have seen the good and bad areas of the city...and I would have to say this has to be the 2nd most scary place I've been to...the first was a bad section of Germantown 17 years ago in broad daylight - and there were burnt out cars, barricades, boarded up homes...looked like a war zone...never went there again...

I would recommend St. Joe's for the La Salle flava with a little less of the danger IMO...

I wasn't there 17 years ago but I was there in April. I walked there from Broad & Olney. I didn't get that impression at all.

I will agree that if you go through the woods and on the other side of the R7 tracks that, yes, that part of Germantown is quite sketchy. As you go south from the campus things deteriorate. As you go north it gets better.

LaSalle has a student body of like 6/7000. From what I've seen half the kids commute from the suburbs. I really doubt that it's as bad as people are making it out to be. I strongly encourage the OP to visit the school and talk to students who live there. Use your own judgement. If it doesn't feel right to you then you have your answer.