Being transferred to Philly, are only the 'burbs safe?

[otters21]

Originally Posted by otters21

I would like to add that Roxborough,Andorra, Wissahickon, and Manayunk on the northwest side; Port Richmond (east of Aramingo Ave), Fishtown, East Kensington (east of FranKford Ave. and south of Lehigh Ave.) Bridesburg ,the far Northeast and parts of South Philadelphia are still safe areas for the most part within the city limits. However in South Phila. it can vary from block to block. Two blocks it's great and two more blocks it can get sketchy.

I would put Fairmount on the list but that area has became upscale and very pricey .

[MPC2000]

Originally Posted by phillyzoo

Although a violent city, you will need to worry more about this poster's response than your personal safety while in the city. This angry response is typical of Philadelphians. Get used to it now...

yes, and horrible drivers too. Theird damn streets are so damn narrow in the burbs, I swear I was going to crash into somebody. The girl I was with was taling somebody becuase they driving too slow.....how about that, LOL. I guess she's never heard of being cool. I don't get this Road Rage. but I swear Philly drivers have no sense when driving. it's no wonder their cars are all banged up.

[Kate Brown]

Originally Posted by phillyzoo

Although a violent city, you will need to worry more about this poster's response than your personal safety while in the city. This angry response is typical of Philadelphians. Get used to it now...

Unfortunately, you may be correct about some angry responders on this forum. It certainly is rude and counterproductive. Do Philadelphians, per se, lack empathy for outsiders who simply want to learn more about their area? Or is it likely that some posters do not have the diplomatic skills necessary to be posting on a forum like this?

To the rude responders: This is the City-Data Forum. People post questions here because they want to get the benefit of inside information from well-wishing residents who are familiar with the area. They are asking because they do not know.

They are not looking for your narrow-minded opinion on what they wrote. IMO, if you cannot answer a question without being rude, take a break.

[pharmommy]

As you have by now read, the Philadelphians are a mean bunch. I moved here from the midwest 12 years ago for work, and I've stayed for decent jobs, but I am DONE! I am leaving, and for those who will say Good Riddance to me, I already expect that response. They're rude here, the cost of living is high (but Chicago is, too, so that's not going to shock you as much). The city is also filthy as the city government is corrupt, overspent, and doesn't budget enough to clean the streets, and people here can't seem to understand what garbage cans are for.

Be aware that Philadelphia has a high city wage tax. I lived downtown for 4.5 years, and I moved out because of the taxes and horrible city services. The city OWNS two utilities, so imagine how good customer service is. I recommend the 'burbs because your money goes further for housing and car insurance, better utilities services, parking, and taxation. Nordstrom would not place a store in the city because 1) the wage tax makes it hard to recruit executives to move here, and 2) they didn't feel that the local population that would possibly be employed there would have a "customer focus" that Norstrom is famous for.

It's a shame that it is what it is because there is so much history here, and the old homes and old neighborhoods are truly fun to walk around and see. But the large number of street people who can be violent (I was assaulted by a street person who was drunk and stoned) makes it unsafe to walk around after dark even in "good" areas.

Of course, the locals who grew up here love it, and I understand loving your home town, warts and all. But I just don't think they're very realistic about the serious problems the city has, and ignoring the problems or denying them doesn't make them go away. And they keep voting for corrupt politicians who don't make improvements.

[reppin_the_847]

I'm also from the Chicago area, and I've lived in both the northern suburbs & the north side of Chicago at various times. I recall the last time I visited Philly, my friend from NY was living in Philly at the time for work. He had a really nice apartment in one of the very central downtown areas, quite close to the 30th Street train station, etc. I recall that this area was also near the Thomas Jefferson medical college in Philly (to give you another idea of what was nearby). I was quite impressed with Philly during that particular summer trip. There were plenty of people outside much like in Chicago. That safe, almost "gayborhood"-ish feeling you get in Chicago was certainly alive & well in Philly. There was that yuppie meets cosmopolitan vibe at the nearby lounges/bars in that area that you'd find in Chicago's Lakeview / Lincoln Park/ Gold Coast type neighborhoods. And when I needed my authentic dose of Philly culture, our buddy took us out to the two cheesesteak locations in South Philly (little more gritty area, more like the ethnic neighborhoods of Chicago), which I believe were Geno's & then Pat's (we decided that Pat's had the more delicous Philly cheesesteak).

As I'd suspect, the rougher parts of Philly are probably very similar to the rougher parts of Chicago, and you probably would want to avoid these parts if possible. But to sum up my take on things, I don't think you'd have to move out to the suburbs of Philly to be physically safe from harm, as there's plenty of life in the city of Philadelphia. Certainly the Philadelphia city-limits seem way more safe & active than some of our Midwest rust-belt cities such as Detroit & Cleveland. It just seems to be on a smaller scale than Chicago or New York. As far as people being rude, I didn't really notice that people were any more rude than they were in Chicago (and despite the Midwest stereotype of friendliness, true Chicagoans know that there's PLENTY of big-city rudeness in Chicago). If anything, Philadelphians seemed friendlier than some of the folks I had encountered up in the NJ suburbs of NYC, gasp! Then again, you never want to generalize these things, and you want to go into things with an open mind. Good luck

Originally Posted by VeryWellRed

Hi, my husband was recently transferred to Philly for a really great promotion, it wasn't our first choice of cities, but in this economy, you take what you can get!

I've only lived in the Midwest (Minneapolis, Chicago) and am frankly a bit terrified of moving to Philadelphia after reading the posts about how horrible it is. I'm not ready to move to the 'burbs to be a housewife/soccer mom yet, but if it's the only way to not end up not assaulted or killed I will, it's really kind a bummer as I love being able to go out in Chicago and not feel threatened.

When are you moving?
March/April 2009

Where are you coming from?
Chicago

Why are you moving?
Husband was promoted

Where will you be working?
He will be downtown, I work out of the house freelance mostly, but could need to commute onsite occasionally

Have you been here yet?
For one weekend, first time ever in Philly

Will you buy or rent?
Rent

If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend?
Open to any type except a loft (utilities too high and unless well insulated, too noisy)

Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up?
Either could work if they are nice and in safe area

Are you married or single? Do you have children?
Married, no kids

Do you have pets?
Yes, a cat

Do you want or need a yard?
Wouldn't mind one or a patio, we do like to BBQ!

Are you keeping a car?
We'd love to get a car, Chicago is too cost-prohibitive/difficult to park to have a car--(most stuff is close enough/safe to walk to you can get by with car-share just fine)


Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet?
Calm and quiet---but not so much you feel like your the only person (ie: target) out there. Close to bustling though!

What do you want to be closest to?
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.)
Nightlife
Train or subway stations

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood?
We're in our 30s and over the whole "college frat party thing"--a mature and safe place.

[waltlantz]

This whole rude thing varies neighboorhood by neighboorhood, and person by person.

Also there is the difference between what you may EXPECT to be polite and what others do. Person from Tennesee coming here to Philly expecting to have the same vibe is delusional. BUT it's not like everyone is an ******* on the street, far from it. That's equal parts yourself and others SOMETIMES.

Any as people prolly already know, YEA the burbs are safer statistically (it aint like crime never happens out there either) but I know people who have lived in the city for decades and not dealt with any more problems than they would in the burbs generally> It's all about where you live, how you carry yourself and what company you keep.

[Nouvelle Villa]

You're moving from Chicago and you are worried about Philadelphia's crime? Weird. Philly has very safe neighborhoods. Having a car in the city is not as much of a pain as it is in other cities. Plus, you can find cheap-ish parking lots.

The Philly burbs are also great. Also, I must mention that I am not a Philadelphia native nor do I have any family roots in the region. That being said, given the choice, I would choose Philly over Chicago to live in. I like the area better, it's cheaper, less congested. Plus, there are many nice amenities nearby (Mountains, beach, bucolic country side, New York City, Washington).

I hope that moving here will change your perspective!!