What do you think of West Oak Lane? (Jenkintown: low income, crime)

[captainrm83]

I've heard it is considered to be in the Northwest. About 5 min. from the suburbs, close to Germantown, Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy. Also close to Jenkintown.

Mainly looking at the area around Stenton and Ogontz. Does anybody have their opinions of the area?

How diverse? School systems in that area? Housing? Crime?

[akorosdc]

It's a predominantly African-American neighborhood, though in Cheltenham you have a Korean community and then some Caucasian people sprinkled in East Oaklane, Olney, and Cheltenham (probably West Oaklane, too). The school system is Philly public schools, but the neighborhood schools there aren't exactly the best (I went to private). I'm not sure of the elementary schools outside of Ellwood, which isn't too bad. For middle school you could try to get into Hill Freedman (a good, small, magnate middle school) and then apply to Central, Girls, Lankenau, or Masterman for high school (many of their students go there). Stay away from MLK High School, with a possible exception for special education needs. As for housing, it's mostly rowhomes and duplexes. Crime is a little bit of an issue. I grew up in East Oaklane, and West Oaklane is where we associated the crime always happening. That said, the area has improved in recent years (Ogontz Ave has seen more businesses open).

Personally, if you like the location idea (close to Jenkintown, Center City, Chestnut Hill, etc), I'd prefer to look in East Oaklane or Mt. Airy. Distance-wise, it's a minimal difference, yet crime is lower. Also, in East Oaklane you have some gorgeous houses and properties (I'll admit a little bias, but I love the neighborhood). If you're in the area, go to Under the Oak, a little bakery/cafe on Oaklane Avenue & 8th Street. The owner is really invested in the area and has a lot of information on recent developments. I've only been away for 5 years, but it's enough to keep me a little out of the loop.

[brickyard boy]

Stenton and Ogontz tends to be a more undesirable section of WOL

[waltlantz]

Originally Posted by juniperbleu

It's a predominantly African-American neighborhood, though in Cheltenham you have a Korean community and then some Caucasian people sprinkled in East Oaklane, Olney, and Cheltenham (probably West Oaklane, too). The school system is Philly public schools, but the neighborhood schools there aren't exactly the best (I went to private). I'm not sure of the elementary schools outside of Ellwood, which isn't too bad. For middle school you could try to get into Hill Freedman (a good, small, magnate middle school) and then apply to Central, Girls, Lankenau, or Masterman for high school (many of their students go there). Stay away from MLK High School, with a possible exception for special education needs. As for housing, it's mostly rowhomes and duplexes. Crime is a little bit of an issue. I grew up in East Oaklane, and West Oaklane is where we associated the crime always happening. That said, the area has improved in recent years (Ogontz Ave has seen more businesses open).

Personally, if you like the location idea (close to Jenkintown, Center City, Chestnut Hill, etc), I'd prefer to look in East Oaklane or Mt. Airy. Distance-wise, it's a minimal difference, yet crime is lower. Also, in East Oaklane you have some gorgeous houses and properties (I'll admit a little bias, but I love the neighborhood). If you're in the area, go to Under the Oak, a little bakery/cafe on Oaklane Avenue & 8th Street. The owner is really invested in the area and has a lot of information on recent developments. I've only been away for 5 years, but it's enough to keep me a little out of the loop.

All right East Oak Lane! Lived there for 3 years have family there and visit every year. The East according to stats is the quieter area. Primarily black middle class. Overall good neighborhood.

[akorosdc]

Originally Posted by waltlantz

All right East Oak Lane! Lived there for 3 years have family there and visit every year. The East according to stats is the quieter area. Primarily black middle class. Overall good neighborhood.

Yeah, man! We've been there a while, my grandparents bought the house in 1960 (and then my parents in 1985....maybe me in the future...). I've always liked it, my dad calls it his "country estate in the city", since in the 18th/19th century there used to be "country" houses there for some of Philly's elite.

[otters21]

some areas okay. other area okay. primarily an African American working to middle class area.crime

[otters21]

Originally Posted by otters21

some areas okay. other area okay. primarily an African American working to middle class area.crime

Sorry I accidently posted this before I was done, What I meant as far as crime and safety is concerned it's so-so,some blocks safe and others not so safe.

[jplewis]

It's a ghetto! I hear gun shots every week! It's a low income high poverty, crime laden, money pit. This morning at 5am I heard a gunshot next door! I'm leaving immediately. Fake suburbs for black people...

[soulsurv]

Gee, I don't know if it's improved, but a decade ago, it was a war zone, and we had to move one of my elderly relatives out of there.

[Whatdoesthefoxsay65]

Originally Posted by jplewis

It's a ghetto! I hear gun shots every week! It's a low income high poverty, crime laden, money pit. This morning at 5am I heard a gunshot next door! I'm leaving immediately. Fake suburbs for black people...

Well, that was tastefully racist. There are some good streets like this:

https://maps.google.com/?ll=40.06900...,4.28,,0,-0.15

And then bad ones like this:

https://maps.google.com/?ll=40.05012...10.71,,0,-1.11