Roslyn in Abington (Easton, Sandy: middle-class, for sale, buying a house)

[nikmasteed]

Hi all,

I always appreciate the insight of members on the forum.

I'm looking at buying, and am interested in a house in Roslyn, specifically the area bounded by Easton Rd, Susquehanna Rd, and the Sandy Run creek (Brookdale Ave)

Having driven through a few times, we saw several "nice-looking" (subjective I know) middle class families around, lots of kids playing outside on a nice warm day, and it seemed to be a pleasant community. The Roslyn Elem school also looked great- very new.

My only hesitation is a coworker of my mother who gave my mother only the vague caution that Roslyn is a "borderline" area in terms of being a bad neighborhood and to watch out for certain areas of Roslyn. Suppoedly she used to live nearby but I'm not sure when

I'm not sure if this is maybe some kind of prejudice from 30 years ago that is now outdated, or genuinely founded. Are there any areas near here I should "watch out for"?

Thanks!

[maestro]

My 2 cents from looking in that area when I was buying a house a few years ago: it's not "borderline" in the sense that you'd be butted up against a crime-ridden area; it's just a lot more blue-collar and middle-class (and in some areas lower-middle class) than other areas of Abington township.

The houses that I saw for sale in that area were less expensive, and it seems like the reasons were because of the above paragraph plus the houses were small.

[FindingZen]

Roslyn does abut Crestmont which isn't exactly crime-ridden per se but isn't necessarily an area where one would want to take a late night stroll. Hamilton Avenue could be considered a border between the two neighborhoods. As maestro said, if you're comfortable in a lower-middle class community then you will be fine in Roslyn.

[maf763]

The area of Roslyn you're looking in contains a lot of value for the price. It's convenient to the train, shopping, parks, even the mall. The homes are older and some are small, but well maintained for the most part and sturdy. You'll find a lot of bungalows around there. It's a strong school district, but the taxes are reasonable, at least compared to neighboring towns.

Your mother's coworker's concerns are exaggerated and probably based on some antiquated misconceptions. The Crestmont area is not far from there but it is not a bad neighborhood - the older perceptions on it were based on the fact that it was a black neighborhood surrounded by white ones. I worked in Crestmont for fifteen years and even did town watch for a couple of years and never saw anything I'd call alarming.

You're on the right track with the area you are looking in. Just don't get too close to Sandy Run creek - there has been some bad flooding in the last couple of decades.

[Ohiogirl81]

Roslyn is a perfectly respectable working- and middle-class neighborhood.

[nikmasteed]

Thanks everyone for the insight. Regarding Crestmont-- so that is basically the area from Hamilton Ave to the mall? What are the eastern and western borders?

[Fern Rock]

It's Abington Township. A nice place to live. Somebody should post the murder stats for the past five years or so. Thanks.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by nikmasteed

Thanks everyone for the insight. Regarding Crestmont-- so that is basically the area from Hamilton Ave to the mall? What are the eastern and western borders?

Roughly Reservoir Avenue to Rockwell Road.

[nikmasteed]

Thanks Tone. That area is actually pretty small then, only about 1/2 mile wide in each direction. Thanks for the info