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Old 09-28-2007, 02:51 PM
 
22 posts, read 114,421 times
Reputation: 15

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Hey guys, I value all your help and information. I am still considering altoona pa as a place to relocate. Yet I am concerned some areas yet very affordable low housing prices may be dangerous war zone areas. I may be completely wrong so thats why Im asking. I dont know if you guys know the areas by 4th street (16601 area code) and 13th ave. I dont want to make any judgements but some houses around there i think were section 8 and some properties were $40,000. It doesnt have to be the best area in the world, but at the same time I dont want to get involved in a high crime area. An area I looked at in another town with similar home prices had much crime, and I would like to get to know the situation before I get involved. THANK you guys for your information
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Old 09-28-2007, 03:37 PM
 
Location: Richmond, VA
2,309 posts, read 1,975,798 times
Reputation: 973
Altoona has really rough parts...If I were you I would concentrate on a different area...Try Bellwood which is 10 minutes from Altoona...If you have to be in altoona, then look near E Grant Avenue which is near Logan school. (a good realtor would know)
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Old 09-28-2007, 03:46 PM
 
22 posts, read 114,421 times
Reputation: 15
When you say rough do you mean like pitbulls runnign around and gangs? IS bellport part of altoona?
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Old 09-28-2007, 04:01 PM
 
Location: Richmond, VA
2,309 posts, read 1,975,798 times
Reputation: 973
Altoona used to be a nice place to live and now it is getting taken over by drugs and gangs...Here is the thing...the welfare department there hands out money like candy. word got around and "undesireables" from big cities like Philly and Pitts are coming in there, collecting money, selling drugs...The city is trying to crack down, but I don't think it is working thus far. My parents work in Altoona, but they live in Bellwood, which is about a 10 minute commute. You also may want to check Hollidaysburgh, which maybe a better option that Bellwood if you want less of a rural area...
Altoona has nice places-mall, lots of places to eat, the Curve baseball team...Just certain sections you want to stay away from. Like 6th Ave-AWFUL. So, anywhere near 6th ave would not be good.
Some nice places: E Grant Ave, parts of Lakemont, Eldorado...Oh, and Juniata is becoming bad too which is another subsection of Altoona. UNLESS you live near the Penn State Altoona campus, then it isn't bad at all...
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Old 11-03-2007, 05:37 PM
 
3 posts, read 18,084 times
Reputation: 10
I'm a native of Altoona and last time I was home my friends and I were joking that if you want to find a good place head for the high grounds. It's funny because that's about right!
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Old 11-03-2007, 09:18 PM
 
511 posts, read 1,867,442 times
Reputation: 90
Quote:
Originally Posted by twinmma View Post
Altoona used to be a nice place to live and now it is getting taken over by drugs and gangs...
You know, it really breaks my heart to read about this any where in PA. I can't believe what this commonwealth is coming too.
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Old 11-03-2007, 11:36 PM
 
1,932 posts, read 4,648,041 times
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I used to work in "intown" Altoona, right on Green Ave. There was a shooting (4 or 5 yrs ago) about 4 blocks away, in broad daylight. They've since closed that bar. Nowadays, Altoona is trying its best not to be overrun by drugs and all they bring.

My best advice, if you want in Altoona, say in the 16602 zip code. Primarily it's better than the 16601 zip code. The 16601 zip runs mostly from 17th Street to Juniata and from Station Mall up past the hospital. I also agree stay away from 6th and 7th Avenues.

Hollidaysburg, Duncansville, Logan Twp, Lakemont, Bellwood and Greenwood are extremely close and better than intown.
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Old 11-04-2007, 10:39 AM
 
2 posts, read 15,664 times
Reputation: 14
The thing about Altoona is you can't just say any area is nice or rotting. It comes in pockets more than anything. One 5 block radius might be horrible then bam nice houses, almost suburb like. . .Then you go a couple blocks in a different direction and it's back again. I live in the 16602 right now and there was a drive by shooting right in front of my house a couple months back. . .YOu can go on the zipcode haha, trust me.

My best advice would be to find a few blocks that are nice, cos' you won't find an entire neighborhood, or section of the city, that is completely nice. Well, other than Eldorado. If you choose to live in one of the adjacent towns I'd go with Bellwood. It's the antithesis of Altoona. Simple, calm, functional.

The crime here though, really isn't that bad. If you're not involved with it, you probably won't ever be haha.
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Old 08-05-2008, 11:55 PM
 
5 posts, read 27,288 times
Reputation: 11
I don't understand how you, Twinmma, are making comments as you stated that you no longer live in Altoona. I am a resident of Altoona for almost 3 years now, moving here from Hollidaysburg. I moved from Hollidaysburg because of the political school district, and the favoritism showed to students of faculty and "money donating" families getting favoritism over those who can't afford to pay public schools to teach their children. As far as the areas being bad in Altoona, you cant say any area is good or bad. For example look at the areas by the now old Keith school, start out on 13th Ave and theres bad areas...go up 4 blocks to 17th Ave and theres nicer homes with more cared forlawns ect , continue on up to 25th Ave and you'll find some of the nicest houses in Altoona. It all depends on the type of neighbors you have and whether or not they have pride in their living situation.
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Old 09-12-2008, 04:09 PM
 
1 posts, read 12,817 times
Reputation: 10
Default Are you serious?

Altoona is a great city. As everyone has said, there are parts you do not want to live in, but lets just say that there are NO sections of the city I would not take a walk in (maybe not at night). Everyone thinks that there are no drugs in Hollidaysburg or Bellwood, but they're the worst areas because there's nothing to do there. Why do you think they call Hollidaysburg High School, "Heroin High???" If Altoona citizens would take a little pride and start looking out for our town, we'd be set.
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