Good part of town/ bad part of town (Philadelphia: apartment complexes, rental)

[carolinaguy321]

After reading the posts, I would say that Philadelphia is a city of patchwork neighborhoods with no defined good or bad side of towns. But is there a section of the city that has more crime than others? For example, does southeast Philly have more crime that North Philly, etc? I will probably be attending grad school next fall, and would like to know what some of my future neighbors think about the sections of the cities and how safe they are. Please feel free to mention neighborhoods as well. I would apreciate any constructive views on the city.

Also, I'm coming to spend a week in Philly in Feburary (yeah, I know winter in Philly,) so If there are any neighborhoods I should check out or leave alone feel free to mention. I'm a 36 year old black male who will be going to Lasalle which I believe is in the northside of the city.

Thanks.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by carolinaguy321

After reading the posts, I would say that Philadelphia is a city of patchwork neighborhoods with no defined good or bad side of towns. But is there a section of the city that has more crime than others? For example, does southeast Philly have more crime that North Philly, etc? I will probably be attending grad school next fall, and would like to know what some of my future neighbors think about the sections of the cities and how safe they are. Please feel free to mention neighborhoods as well. I would apreciate any constructive views on the city.

Also, I'm coming to spend a week in Philly in Feburary (yeah, I know winter in Philly,) so If there are any neighborhoods I should check out or leave alone feel free to mention. I'm a 36 year old black male who will be going to Lasalle which I believe is in the northside of the city.

Thanks.

Geographically speaking, Philly is divided by N, NW, NE, S and SW as well as Center City (aka downtown). There is no SE.

North and West Philly have the most consistent challenged neighborhoods although there are some positive exceptions. Other sections of town have their rougher spots as well.

The area surrounding LaSalle isn't necessarily the most desired but there are worse. It depends on what you've experienced. I'd contact the school to find out about housing options for grad students.

What is your budget? Would you prefer convenient nightlife/culture? Or a quiet area?

[kyle19125]

If you want proximity to LaSalle, a good area to check out is to the west of campus....west of Germantown Avenue, north of West Chelten Avenue and east of the Wissahickon Valley Park area. There are several nice apartment complexes with parking and secure entry. This area is the West Mount Airy neighborhood.

Google Maps

[carolinaguy321]

Originally Posted by Tone509

Geographically speaking, Philly is divided by N, NW, NE, S and SW as well as Center City (aka downtown). There is no SE.

North and West Philly have the most consistent challenged neighborhoods although there are some positive exceptions. Other sections of town have their rougher spots as well.

The area surrounding LaSalle isn't necessarily the most desired but there are worse. It depends on what you've experienced. I'd contact the school to find out about housing options for grad students.

What is your budget? Would you prefer convenient nightlife/culture? Or a quiet area?

I've lived in some shady neighborhoods here in Charlotte, so I can deal with some "grit". I will be going to school full time so I will be surviving on financial aid, and working part time, so I will venture a guess of around 30K, more or less, the two years I plan to live there. If I don't get housing on campus, I will need to find a roommate I'm sure.

[solibs]

Each section of the city: North, West, Northeast, etc has its bad neighborhoods. The only real exception to this is Center City. And, of course, the bad neighborhoods in North Philly are much worse than the bad neighborhoods in Northwest.

La Salle is reasonably close (4 blocks) to the Broad St. Subway so, living anywhere near Broad St. between Spring Garden and Snyder (Center City/South Philly) will find you a range of rental prices in decent to excellent neighborhoods.

The 18 bus runs 24/7. every 15 minutes mid-day and every 5 minutes during rush-hour. It will take you from Mt. Airy right to the front door of LaSalle in ~15 minutes. Keep in mind that most of the action in Mt. Airy (pubs, restaurants, etc) are on Germantown Ave between Mt. Airy Ave. and Mt. Pleasant Ave.

[carolinaguy321]

Originally Posted by solibs

Each section of the city: North, West, Northeast, etc has its bad neighborhoods. The only real exception to this is Center City. And, of course, the bad neighborhoods in North Philly are much worse than the bad neighborhoods in Northwest.

La Salle is reasonably close (4 blocks) to the Broad St. Subway so, living anywhere near Broad St. between Spring Garden and Snyder (Center City/South Philly) will find you a range of rental prices in decent to excellent neighborhoods.

The 18 bus runs 24/7. every 15 minutes mid-day and every 5 minutes during rush-hour. It will take you from Mt. Airy right to the front door of LaSalle in ~15 minutes. Keep in mind that most of the action in Mt. Airy (pubs, restaurants, etc) are on Germantown Ave between Mt. Airy Ave. and Mt. Pleasant Ave.

This is great info. Thanks so much.