Future of Mantua (Lancaster, Belmont, Wall: house, safest area, to live)

[Muinteoir]

What do you think the next few decades hold for Mantua? As of yet, it gets a lot less attention than other neighborhoods. However, I think it has a lot going for it. The zoo, Art Museum, Drexel, an MFL station, Schuylkill River Trail, 30th St Station etc. are all within a mile. The views of the city and Art Museum from 31st St / Mantua Ave are pretty spectacular.

Overall, I think it is one of the cheapest yet still relatively safe (feeling, at least) inner neighborhoods. All of these amenities plus its close proximity to Center City may not go unnoticed. Do you think there's chance it'll start seeing inflow from outsiders other than Drexel student overflow?

[MB1562]

Originally Posted by Muinteoir

What do you think the next few decades hold for Mantua? As of yet, it gets a lot less attention than other neighborhoods. However, I think it has a lot going for it. The zoo, Art Museum, Drexel, an MFL station, Schuylkill River Trail, 30th St Station etc. are all within a mile. The views of the city and Art Museum from 31st St / Mantua Ave are pretty spectacular.

Overall, I think it is one of the cheapest yet still relatively safe (feeling, at least) inner neighborhoods. All of these amenities plus its close proximity to Center City may not go unnoticed. Do you think there's chance it'll start seeing inflow from outsiders other than Drexel student overflow?

Wouldn't exactly consider Mantua safe, or even safe-looking. It's pretty run down, and is right next to Belmont, which is very blighted and crime-ridden. I used to work right in that area, and while definitely not the worst, it certainly isn't good. It has great location though, so it definitely has potential.

[banjozac]

Both Mantua and West Powelton have been seeing some pretty huge changes lately. The Southeast portion of Mantua (closer to Spring Garden, closer to the rail yard) feels pretty okay to me in the daytime. I think these neighborhoods will continue to develop, but the PHA housing will probably stop it from reaching critical mass in Belmont.

[Muinteoir]

Originally Posted by MB1562

Wouldn't exactly consider Mantua safe, or even safe-looking. It's pretty run down, and is right next to Belmont, which is very blighted and crime-ridden. I used to work right in that area, and while definitely not the worst, it certainly isn't good. It has great location though, so it definitely has potential.

I lived there for two years and it always felt fine to me. It is pretty block by block though, areas east of 34th and south of Wallace feel better. The “feeling” of safety is always relative, though.

[moneymkt]

Originally Posted by MB1562

Wouldn't exactly consider Mantua safe, or even safe-looking. It's pretty run down, and is right next to Belmont, which is very blighted and crime-ridden. I used to work right in that area, and while definitely not the worst, it certainly isn't good. It has great location though, so it definitely has potential.

It's a lot more safe than southwest and north philly but definitely not as safe as the OP mentioned. My mom who lives in that area near 40th and Lancaster just sold her house because of someone getting killed on her block in October. The mantua area has what I would call........"occasional crime"

[moneymkt]

Originally Posted by banjozac

Both Mantua and West Powelton have been seeing some pretty huge changes lately. The Southeast portion of Mantua (closer to Spring Garden, closer to the rail yard) feels pretty okay to me in the daytime. I think these neighborhoods will continue to develop, but the PHA housing will probably stop it from reaching critical mass in Belmont.

I think the safest areas of Mantua is 39th street to 34th street from Haverford to Lancaster. Anything past Haverford Ave is bad news

[JacksonPanther]

Maybe it improves, but it will be at a snail's pace. Unless you're 20yo, you will be an old man/woman before you notice significant change.

[Muinteoir]

Originally Posted by moneymkt

I think the safest areas of Mantua is 39th street to 34th street from Haverford to Lancaster. Anything past Haverford Ave is bad news

I don't think Haverford Ave actually feels all that great going West, but Spring Garden does. I often forget that Spring Garden is not technically included in Powelton Village.

[moneymkt]

Originally Posted by Muinteoir

I don't think Haverford Ave actually feels all that great going West, but Spring Garden does. I often forget that Spring Garden is not technically included in Powelton Village.

I agree and would actually would love to live along the spring garden strip all the way down to drexel. When I moved out of my mom's house there was nothing in that area available and I decided to move to center city

[MB1562]

Originally Posted by moneymkt

It's a lot more safe than southwest and north philly but definitely not as safe as the OP mentioned. My mom who lives in that area near 40th and Lancaster just sold her house because of someone getting killed on her block in October. The mantua area has what I would call........"occasional crime"

I used to work right off that block where your mom lived around. While not the worst place in Philly, it definitely wasn't decent either. There were numerous shootings/murders happening right around there in the year I was working there.

It has good bones though. A commercial strip ripe for the taking with the right investment in Lancaster Ave., proximity to Center City and good access with the 10 trolley, and proximity to Penn/Drexel.