How safe is Lansdowne? (Philadelphia, Media: house, neighborhoods, buy)

[HellaGoose]

And are there parts that are safer than others?

I have heard different things from different people, and am curious for your thoughts and knowledge, thanks!

[chessimprov]

Probably. It's sandwiched between nicer areas and more questionable areas.

[cpomp]

What's hurting Lansdowne the most is the terrible public school district. Lansdowne itself is alright, a little rough, but not a ghetto. But the investment will only go so far because the schools are bad.

If the schools were even average, you would see a huge overflow of young couple and parents moving there due to the urban setup, affordability and close access to Philadelphia,

[Fireshaker]

This is a timely post, as my wife and I have been scouting potential landing spots for us once we move out of the city in a couple of years. Due to price, our options may be limited. Lansdowne has the bones, location, and housing stock, so it seems like it could be the "next" popular destination.

Knowing the schools are terrible doesn't really help, though, because that's one of the main reasons people move to the burbs in the first place. Is William Penn's issues a question of the population that goes there, bad administration, or both?

[nnm875]

I'd also be interested in learning more--most of the threads on this topic seem to be older. My husband and I have been living in the Cedar Park neighborhood of West Philly for 7 years. While we love the trees, walkability (I work at Penn, he also works in West Philly),coffee shops, and ease of getting into Center City, on our combined income of a little over $100K, we're priced out of the neighborhood.

Was looking at Lansdowne due to the architecture and greenery, but I'm afraid we'll be bored and miss the creative vibe of our current neighborhood (but maybe not the trash!). I saw the Avenue Deli closed. Are any new restaurants/shops slated to open? We're already thinking of private school, so the school district isn't a concern. We're looking to stay in a place we buy for a long time (that's why we're looking for some more space and a house with character) but I am worried about return on investment in the long run.

[chessimprov]

In PA, you can also consider cyber school. If you have young kids, that would require someone to stay at home with the child. But at least you would not have the potentially exorbitant costs of private schools, and also still certified teachers who help you online. Cybers, if approved, (only certain states including PA) are covered under your taxes, albeit indirectly, when you live in PA.

There are private cybers, but they are few and far in-between. I'm not sure how they compare tuition wise to a regular private school.

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by Fireshaker

This is a timely post, as my wife and I have been scouting potential landing spots for us once we move out of the city in a couple of years. Due to price, our options may be limited. Lansdowne has the bones, location, and housing stock, so it seems like it could be the "next" popular destination.

Knowing the schools are terrible doesn't really help, though, because that's one of the main reasons people move to the burbs in the first place. Is William Penn's issues a question of the population that goes there, bad administration, or both?

William Penn School District covers some of the worse sections of Delaware County, that is mostly why its terrible. Lansdowne itself is alright and improving, but it will never become the next Media.

[Fireshaker]

Originally Posted by cpomp

William Penn School District covers some of the worse sections of Delaware County, that is mostly why its terrible. Lansdowne itself is alright and improving, but it will never become the next Media.

Admittedly I don't much about that particular area, but I don't know if anyone should make such declarative statements about a neighborhood's future.

Media itself has come a long way; I've heard from several people who grew up there before the current boom, and they said it used to be a "dump." Even adjusting for hyperbole, not a lot of people thought highly of Media back then. How many would have thought Media ever had a chance of being something better?

(Yes, Media / Lansdowne may be an apples / oranges comparison, but long-term I'd hesitate to bet against any pre-war neighborhood with walkable design, transit access and good housing stock.)

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by Fireshaker

Admittedly I don't much about that particular area, but I don't know if anyone should make such declarative statements about a neighborhood's future.

Media itself has come a long way; I've heard from several people who grew up there before the current boom, and they said it used to be a "dump." Even adjusting for hyperbole, not a lot of people thought highly of Media back then. How many would have thought Media ever had a chance of being something better?

(Yes, Media / Lansdowne may be an apples / oranges comparison, but long-term I'd hesitate to bet against any pre-war neighborhood with walkable design, transit access and good housing stock.)

I am making a very valid point about the current state of Lansdowne and the school district its in, I didn't pull a random statement out of thin air.

Also, Media was never and by no means a "dump". It was a sleepy and rather dreary county seat surrounded by affluent suburbs. The borough itself grew and energized about 15 years ago. People never had a negative connotation toward it, it was just the county seat.

Just because you do not like what I have to say about Lansdowne doesn't make it false.

Lansdowne itself its okay, but its not what Media was 15 years ago, Media never has issues that Lanedowne has. Also, Media is in one of the top school districts in the state, and its always been that way.

[Fireshaker]

Originally Posted by cpomp

I am making a very valid point about the current state of Lansdowne and the school district its in, I didn't pull a random statement out of thin air.

Also, Media was never and by no means a "dump". It was a sleepy and rather dreary county seat surrounded by affluent suburbs. The borough itself grew and energized about 15 years ago. People never had a negative connotation toward it, it was just the county seat.

Just because you do not like what I have to say about Lansdowne doesn't make it false.

Lansdowne itself its okay, but its not what Media was 15 years ago, Media never has issues that Lanedowne has. Also, Media is in one of the top school districts in the state, and its always been that way.

Hey, I'm not trying to start anything. I have no emotional connection to Lansdowne, so I don't particularly care one way or another. I just think saying an area will "never" be "x" is maybe a little ill-advised. Neighborhoods rise and neighborhoods fall, and sometimes places we never thought would be nice turn around and become something great. We just don't always know.