university city (Springfield, Penn: middle-class, apartments, rent)

[friedgold]

i'm moving to philadelphia, and thinking about getting a place in university city (commuting to center city for work). can anyone give me an idea as to the area between 49th and 50th two blocks south of Walnut?

How about 48th street between chestnut and walnut?

i'm not from the area, so i'm not exactly sure where the "safe" areas close to the universities ends and the sketchy areas begin. thanks!

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by friedgold

i'm moving to philadelphia, and thinking about getting a place in university city (commuting to center city for work). can anyone give me an idea as to the area between 49th and 50th two blocks south of Walnut?

How about 48th street between chestnut and walnut?

i'm not from the area, so i'm not exactly sure where the "safe" areas close to the universities ends and the sketchy areas begin. thanks!

I did two "stints" in University City for a total of about three years. IMO staying east of 48/49th and south of Walnut/Locust would be recommended. and from Springfield Ave. north as well). On those edges, you'll be among poorer Penn students, and working-to-lower-middle-class households. Living on Walnut Street itself would be convenient and irritating at the same time with the #21 and #42 buses both passing through. To steer clear of the more rowdy of Penn kids, stay west of 43rd. The "sweet spot" for your purposes might be between 43rd and 47th between Locust and Cedar.

You may find your most of your housing choices to be apartments in converted homes. If you can rent out one of the older condos, that would be a good deal. As far as apartment buildings, I'd recommend the building on the NE corner of 48th and Osage.

[thedrizzlemonster]

Staying close to baltimore ave that far west is a good idea (staying east of 50th). More restaurants/shops and the trolley which go to Penn and Center City. Closer to chestnut/walnut/market gets a bit harrier regardless of how far west.

I live on 43rd and, in terms of Penn kids, they are pretty much all east of 42nd. They start to shiver in thier Ughs when you start talking west of that.

[eggtimer]

when you get higher into the 40's, staying south of pine st is going to be safer than the walnut/chestnut areas.

Tone509's area is pretty right on. There are many decent blocks all the way out to 52nd st. but the closer you get to 52nd st. the more it becomes block by block. If you are looking that far west the nicer areas are probably from Larchwood south to springfield ave.

[FindingZen]

While responding to another thread about UC, I realized that I needed to correct myself on this one.

The #42 actually runs east (and west) on Spruce until it approaches the river. Then it heads north to Cnestnut and joins the #21 bus as it heads east into Center City to Penns Landing. They both return westbound on Chestnut St. until the split just after the river.