Looking for advice on a nice neighborhood close to downtown (real estate, apartments)

[UrbanTile]

I have been looking at different single family houses in the downtown philadelphia area and see many places I like, but Im not sure of what the areas are like. What is a good area to find a 2 or 3 bedroom house? It could be a "up and coming" area or a well established nice neighborhood, just as long as it is somewhat close to downtown. I love older homes from the 1800's to the 1920's that have charater, and I own a couple remodeling companies so buying a distressed property is fine with me if I can get a good deal.

Thanks for everyones help, in advance.

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by UrbanTile

I have been looking at different single family houses in the downtown philadelphia area and see many places I like, but Im not sure of what the areas are like. What is a good area to find a 2 or 3 bedroom house? It could be a "up and coming" area or a well established nice neighborhood, just as long as it is somewhat close to downtown. I love older homes from the 1800's to the 1920's that have charater, and I own a couple remodeling companies so buying a distressed property is fine with me if I can get a good deal.

Thanks for everyones help, in advance.

If you're looking at single family homes, you may be looking near downtown Philly but you probably aren't in it. Even the most expensive homes in Center City are essentially rowhomes/townhomes.

Some transitional areas to consider might include Fishtown (above Old City and Northern Liberties), Brewerytown (near the Art Museum) and University City(in West Philly; closer to 50th St. or south of Baltimore Avenue).

[orrmobl]

Definitely Northern Liberties - cool place, up and coming, plenty of dilapidated properties to choose from...

[Tone509]

Now that I think about it... it depends on how you define a single family home. In many cases, you may have a somewhat substantial backyard but the distance between your wall and your neighbor's may only be a few feet. Philly housing tends to be high-density.

[solibs]

A townhouse (or rowhouse if you prefer) is a single-family home. It's a single-dwelling unit within the structure. Sometimes people turn the bigger houses into 2 or 3 apartments but that's the exception.

Single-family housing can be defined as "detached", "attached", "row/townhouse", "twin" and sometimes you hear "semi-attached"

Multi-family dwellings are apartment buildings. Sometimes people turn houses into apartments. A lot of the corner units in the city were designed as multi-family.

To the OP - where are you looking exactly? What else is important to you? Is this just a flip or do you have something else in mind?

[Tone509]

I see what you're saying, solibs. It's just that in my experience, most people outside of high-density cities like Philly equate "single family home" with a detached property on at least a quarter-acre of land. I just wanted to make sure that the OP was aware that type of real estate is somewhat rare in Philly.

[NJ Chutzpah]

what about society hill?

[newmarlig]

You might want to look in Collingswood NJ. You can be in center city using the high speed line in under 20 minutes.

[solibs]

Originally Posted by Tone509

I see what you're saying, solibs. It's just that in my experience, most people outside of high-density cities like Philly equate "single family home" with a detached property on at least a quarter-acre of land. I just wanted to make sure that the OP was aware that type of real estate is somewhat rare in Philly.

Sure, and for that the OP, if he wants to look in the city, should be looking in the Northeast or Northwest where he'll find a decent amount of detached housing but mostly twins.

If the type of housing is more important than the location then he should take the advice of the other posters and look in the suburban towns mentioned.

People say "single-family" when they mean "detached." Which is why I took the time to spell out the difference. People also put an imaginary "X" in the word espresso, it doesn't mean it's correct.

The OP hasn't been back so I guess it's all moot anyway.