How is West Philly Powelton area around Lancaster & Baring ? (Philadelphia: renting, house)

[MrPointy]

I'm considering renting this place

3790 baring, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States - Google Maps

I work at UPenn.
There dont seem to have been homicides in this area, however roberries seem to be somewhat prevalent.

Is it a safe area in general ? Quiet ?


Is it better than southwest philly ?:
1235 S Markoe St, Philadelphia, PA 19143 - Google Maps

[lititzman2003]

Of the two, Baring Street is SLIGHTLY safer. You would be much better off seeking a place south of Market Street or further east. There are more dorms and much more activity.

[solibs]

That address is on the edge of things but still inside the University City District's patrolled area.

It's nice to not hear gunshots at night but murders of young professionals in the city is incredibly rare. When it does happen it's almost always an acquaintance. Being mugged is something I would worry about but then, everyone I know who has been mugged in Philly has been mugged in Center City, Bella Vista, Graduate Hospital, or University City.

[Finger Laker]

it's a little on the edge - I lived at 3729 Lancaster Ave across the street from the bank

worse thing about that location was the street noise from being on lancaster and all the bar noise coming from the bar at the corner of 38th and lancaster

the 10 trolly also stops at 38th and lancaster and i'd stand there most days to get to 30th street for bus transfer out to bala

you'll have a full mix of neighbors that's for sure

baring was always kind of our northern edge as students

[MrPointy]

The noise and proximity to Lancaster/38th is indeed of concern. It is a hard decision for me. I'm hoping that the distance of the house from Lancaster/38th will be enough. Also, the house seems to be well built, and blocks noise well. I'm gonna sleep in the middle room.

Living at Lancaster, wow, that must have sucked. So much traffic.

[Finger Laker]

one really nice thing is we could go out of the window at the top of the 2nd floor off the stairs towards the back of the rowhouse and sit on the lower roof overlooking the interior of the block - was actually a fairly quiet and relaxing place

generally got used to the noise, although there were some days where it was very obnoxious - 3am with stereos blasting and people still hanging out on the street

[PennKid]

So I actually grew up at the corner of 38th and baring in the late 90s- about a hundred feet away from the pizza shop, a hundred feet away from the abortion clinic, and a hundred and fifty feet away from the bar.

Although this may sound like an unfortunate trifecta, it was actually a really nice place to grow up- I knew all my neighbors, which were an eclectic mix of old black folks, washed-up hippies, Penn professors, and grad students. The street was always shaded by the trees, which would look absolutely amazing when they bloomed in the spring. It was also surprisingly safe, especially when you consider just how bad things could be a few blocks away.

As for all the sketchy establishment on the Ave., the business association has worked hard to get rid of them (the abortion clinic just got fined to the point of bankruptcy for unhygienic practices thanks to a tip-off, and cops now circle around the bar). They've added a cute deli with a small-town feel, as well as a bike shop and a coffee shop.

I can see how living in Powelton could be relaxing. Best of luck to you.