The Best Places To Live In Philadelphia (For A Person Moving There) (Reading: crime)

[yosoymelosaosita]

If you are a Philadelphia resident, where are the best areas to live and why?
What are the worst areas to live and why?
What do like most or dislike most about living in Philadelphia?

[smt1111]

These are difficult questions to answer. I've never lived in some of the worst areas so I can't really speak to that. My own town is fine but I wouldn't call it the "best" area either.

I don't like the coastal storms that Philly can get. Major hurricanes can hit us and we can get significant rain events with trees toppling and flooded roads. Would rather live somewhere else without big rain events and hurricanes.

I don't like the nasty hot and humid summer weather that Philly gets. 95 degrees with 70% humidity is not for me.

One big plus is the shore isn't too far.

I could take or leave the museums, restaurants, etc. I live in the suburbs and I've been to all of those places in Philly a thousand times and I'm over it. I've been to Reading Terminal market a thousand times and could care less. I don't like the dirtiness and crime in the city. I think the city has gone really gone downhill and it's sad.

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by smt1111

These are difficult questions to answer. I've never lived in some of the worst areas so I can't really speak to that. My own town is fine but I wouldn't call it the "best" area either.

I don't like the coastal storms that Philly can get. Major hurricanes can hit us and we can get significant rain events with trees toppling and flooded roads. Would rather live somewhere else without big rain events and hurricanes.

I don't like the nasty hot and humid summer weather that Philly gets. 95 degrees with 70% humidity is not for me.

One big plus is the shore isn't too far.

I could take or leave the museums, restaurants, etc. I live in the suburbs and I've been to all of those places in Philly a thousand times and I'm over it. I've been to Reading Terminal market a thousand times and could care less. I don't like the dirtiness and crime in the city. I think the city has gone really gone downhill and it's sad.

I agree. Philly isn't for you. Coastal storms? lol.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by yosoymelosaosita

If you are a Philadelphia resident, where are the best areas to live and why?
What are the worst areas to live and why?
What do like most or dislike most about living in Philadelphia?

A lot of your questions will depend one's interests and household makeup. I say the following in very broad strokes...

If you're a SINK or DINK household who enjoys urban living, few places can match "Greater Center City" - say, Girard to Washington and river to river - for interesting, walkable and convenient neighborhoods.

If you're raising kids or just prefer more quiet, the Far Northeast and Northwest Philly (Mt. Airy. Chestnut Hill, parts of Germantown) can appeal.

I'm not going to point out specific communities, but North Philly and West Philly in particular have considerable sections of poverty that breed crime. Even so, there are still decent-to-popular neighborhoods there and not just because of ever-creeping gentrification. Many communities of color are rather solid but, for better or worse, are overlooked by the majority based on assumptions and/or proximity to more challenged areas.

I think people have covered pretty well about what I like about Philly in your other thread.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by FindingZen

I'm not going to point out specific communities, but North Philly and West Philly in particular have considerable sections of poverty that breed crime. Even so, there are still decent-to-popular neighborhoods there and not just because of ever-creeping gentrification. Many communities of color are rather solid but, for better or worse, are overlooked by the majority based on assumptions and/or proximity to more challenged areas.

I just pointed out two such neighborhoods at North Philly's upper end to our readers:

Living in the Oak Lanes: A Neighborhood Guide | Philadelphia Magazine

For some time now, I've called East Oak Lane "the city's best-kept secret."

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

I just pointed out two such neighborhoods at North Philly's upper end to our readers:

Living in the Oak Lanes: A Neighborhood Guide | Philadelphia Magazine

For some time now, I've called East Oak Lane "the city's best-kept secret."

I had the Oak Lanes in mind as well.