Aramingo and Westmoreland: a safe spot to live and work with good public transportation? (Philadelphia: homes, neighborhoods)

[Charlestondata]

I would like to work at Petco. There's one on Aramingo Avenue. Judging by Googlemap Street View, it looks okay. What neighborhood is that? Is it safe? Is access to public transportation good there? No car needed? Thanks.

[frankgn87]

I would guess that would depend on you and what you consider 'safe". no?

[Charlestondata]

Originally Posted by frankgn87

I would guess that would depend on you and what you consider 'safe". no?

Maybe you're right, but I've hung out in the Philly threads enough that I would expect that answer from you no matter what. No offense. Does anyone else have any input?

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by Columbiadata

I would like to work at Petco. There's one on Aramingo Avenue. Judging by Googlemap Street View, it looks okay. What neighborhood is that? Is it safe? Is access to public transportation good there? No car needed? Thanks.

That's Port Richmond. By Philly standards, it's "okay" but it does border some more challenged neighborhoods further north. You may have read here or elsewhere about the Wawa employee that was attacked in the area and how outraged neighbors and other regulars were about it.

Looking at septa.org, I see that the 89 bus goes by there and connects with the Allegheny El station. I think you would be fine during the day but above-average street wisdom may be useful if commuting home from a late shift.

[frankgn87]

Originally Posted by Columbiadata

Maybe you're right, but I've hung out in the Philly threads enough that I would expect that answer from you no matter what. No offense. Does anyone else have any input?

I'm being serious. If you lived in North Philly and moved there, it would be safe. If you lived in Somerton and moved there, you would not call it safe.

How can anyone ask if an area is safe when its an individual interpretation as to what 'safe' means

[BPP1999]

Originally Posted by Columbiadata

Maybe you're right, but I've hung out in the Philly threads enough that I would expect that answer from you no matter what. No offense. Does anyone else have any input?

Moderator Cut
No one is naive enough to think of Philadelphia as "safe" like the 'burbs. It's a city with urban problems.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by frankgn87

I'm being serious. If you lived in North Philly and moved there, it would be safe. If you lived in Somerton and moved there, you would not call it safe.

How can anyone ask if an area is safe when its an individual interpretation as to what 'safe' means

As the OP is a relative newcomer, they may not necessarily know the difference between the whole swath of North Philly - which includes Port Richmond as well as popular Northern Liberties, stable and gentrifying Fishtown as well as mostly bucolic East Oak Lane which borders Montgomery County - and Somerton, which is but one neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia.

It's probably best to assume that someone is asking about the safety of a city neighborhood looking for safety by average urban standards...which would admittedly require a different benchmark than average suburban standards.

[Charlestondata]

I'm not green. I've lived in DC. Even the city where I live in now - Columbia, SC, - has spots where I wouldn't go, and spots where when I do go I use the eyes in the back of my head. I get the drift. It's not Disney Land in that area. Maybe I'll keep my paid-for 2008 Honda Civic.

[james777]

Originally Posted by Columbiadata

I'm not green. I've lived in DC. Even the city where I live in now - Columbia, SC, - has spots where I wouldn't go, and spots where when I do go I use the eyes in the back of my head. I get the drift. It's not Disney Land in that area. Maybe I'll keep my paid-for 2008 Honda Civic.

I would keep the car, but use public transportation if you are working during the day. At night, I would be wary of public transportation.

[bryson662001]

I have been shopping on that street for years so it has always seemed safe to me. It is one of Philadelphia's major shopping areas. It isn't Rittenhouse Square. The people who shop and work there seem to be lower economic status and the homes surrounding it are modest but well kept and fully occupied. Car and ped traffic is heavy during business hours. There are branches of all the big box chains from Walmart, Target, Shoprite, Kmart,Lowes Home Depot, fast food etc,etc. so they all think the area is a safe investment. There is a heavy Spanish speaking presence in the area and among the employees. I wouldn't hesitate to take the bus to work there day or night. You will have plenty of company.