Port Richmond (Penn: middle-class, section 8, renters)

[sweendog024]

Hello,
I am looking at moving into the city after school and I have seen many houses for reasonable rent in the Port Richmond section of the city, I have heard that this area is on the rise and since it is affordable I am very interested in moving there. If anyone has some insight on the area I would appreciate any sort of input anyone might have on this neighborhood.

[Drayb3]

Meh, I'm not really a fan. Check out Bella Vista or Queen Village; it's much more "hip" and is also safer and overall nicer. Lots of young people.

[PennKid]

Hello, and welcome to Port Richmond!
I spent much of my life in this wonderful neighborhood and I'm glad to ear it's attracting so many newcomers. You're right it's definitely on the upswing. Port Richmond had been a tidy blue-collar community that served as the home of dockworkers, clerks, and small-business owners for many many decades, all the while attracting a flow of Polish immigrants that brought new investment to the neighborhood. The neighborhood had always served as a refuge for those in neighboring Kensington that were somewhat upardly mobile; as parts of Kensington began to see an influx o frugs and section 8 renters in the 8s and 90s, the blight never crossed Tulip St/ Memphis Street into Port Richmond and perhaps even accentuated its positive qualities. I only lived there for a few months when my mother first immigrated from Poland in 1995, but as a gathering spot for Poles from across the Delaware Valley, I had plenty of friends from the neighborhood.

Now , the neighborhood is home to creative types forced out of Kensington and Fishtown by rising rents, as well as a stable lower-middle class community that has been there for many decades and will probably always be there. The worst crime in Port Richmond might be a street fight or mugging- but people are generally pretty respectful and there are several vibrant neigborhood associations that keep all blight far out at bay.

Although Port Richmond is perhaps less "hip" than Queens Village or a Center City neighborhood, it is still very close to CC by car or by trolley, and has some of the city's most vibrant commercial strips along Allegheny and Richmond, and has all plenty of reliable small cafes. Port Richmond is truly authentic- there is a community feel you can't get in CC. Now I'm moving back to the neighborhood, and I hope that you move here too!

Good Luck

.

[kenzinger]

I can testify that living in Kensington, Port Richmond still has this cachet of being comparatively exclusive and middle-class. The boundary between the two neighborhoods is up to debate- It's Tulip St. on some blocks, Memphis on others, and Agate on still some others.. but PennKid is right, the niehgobrhood has some verya ctive community organizations- check out this article by Temple's Community Blog on the work of Mary Ann Trombetta, the head of the civic association. I always thought it's crazy how a neighborhood bounded by I-95 on one side and factories by the Trenton Ave. train tracks on the other can maintain this relatively sunny and peaceful atmosphere. And if you're a young professional, any given block will only have one or two of you, but there's enough to convince you that Port Richmond is moving on up..
Good luck, and brush up on your Polish

[jennm59]

I have to tell you that I recently moved to Port Richmond this past year and really have loved living there. It's safe, affordable and close to my job. And, in my opinion, the neighborhood is really coming up....there is a young architect who recently rehabbed a house and made it super-modern, and another guy who is developing there...so, I think it's moving in a good direction. I see a lot of younger professionals, periodic hipsters, etc...but it is still very "old school" middle class with cool pubs (green rock), a new coffee shop (Hinge) and new things moving in. I like it - it's quiet and my dog even has a little yard.

[alphamale]

Originally Posted by Drayb3

Meh, I'm not really a fan. Check out Bella Vista or Queen Village; it's much more "hip" and is also safer and overall nicer. Lots of young people.

That's why everyone moves out of QV and BV when they start a family. I would love to see the crime statistics between the "hip" neighborhoods and the safe neighborhoods.

[Marius Pontmercy]

Originally Posted by alphamale

That's why everyone moves out of QV and BV when they start a family. I would love to see the crime statistics between the "hip" neighborhoods and the safe neighborhoods.

Wait what? Have you seen the number of parents out with their kids in these neighborhoods?

[gakski]

Both Port Richmond & Bridesburg (next neighborhood north of Port Richmond), are excellent choices. The best areas of both neighborhoods are east of Aramingo Ave.

[newmarlig]

I used to live in QV. The majority of homes on my street (300 block of Queen) had children.

[RAZZ3861]

Bridesburg is nicer Zip 19137. Queen village is not safe at all. Most of the hipster areas are Crime Ridden they are easy targets. In Bridesburg you dont need bars on your windows. If there is a suspicious person a few looks and they are outta there.