moving to philly; looking for safe urban neighborhood (Philadelphia: renters, insurance)

[john_starks]

I have looked in Fishtown, and Manayunk, what about Pennsport? Or the Italian Marker area? Would a commute to South NJ be difficult from there?

i live in queen village, which is a few blocks from the italian market, and commute to cherry hill everyday. its a breeze (15-20 mins by car). pennsport, bella vista, society hill, old city (i.e. the eastern 1/2 of the city) should be no problem commuting to nj. i would think manayunk would be more work. although i know people who commute from there as well. i guess its doable. but, i'm not sure you'll like manayunk as it has a post college fratboy vibe. kinda like hoboken.

btw, i can actually see the ben franklin bridge from my roofdeck

[otters21]

Originally Posted by orrmobl

I would NOT live in Bridesburg (very racist), Fishtown (hyped but still rough), Port Richmond (still heading down), Kensington, Pennport (same), Torresdale, Bustleton, Mayfair, blah, blah, blah. All blue coller lower to barely middle class, rough neighbors and dirty streets.

Fox Chase is still nice but the Northeast has seen better days. Manayunk, Roxborough, Andorra all great places. Bella Vista, Queen Village, Center City, Art Museum Area, heck even Northern Liberties, Graduate Hospital? are much better/more desirable places to live and I would look there.

The OP is looking for a car free area and Andorra is very suburbia like and car dependant. The other areas you suggested, however are good options.

[pman]

If I were in this posters' boat, I'd take a long look at fairmount. Lots of families, middle aged, and older folks. There's a fair amount of things to walk to and bus service is frequent to center city. It's also largely in this price range. Queen village and Bella vista (and center city of course) are also excellent suggestions) Northern Liberties might be a bit young as far as I can tell. Roxborough is a good place too but it's far from center city and while I did successfully live there car free (in the eastern portion where theold town center is), it's not the best best to do so. Lastly, there's chestnut hill. furtherst negihborhood NW. Good train service and a quaint AND functional downtown of its own.

[niceguy19125]

I too would recommend Bella Vista. Residential in nature but still walkable to anything you would want...restaurants/grocery stores/drug stores,etc

A previous post had mentioned how Port Richmond was on a downslope, and Fishtown was rough. I'm not sure where that information was come up with other than pure conjecture. I live on the border between the two and can tell you through the constant sounds of hammers and saws that is not the case. Between all of the remodeling of existing housing stock, the swing from tenant occupied to owner occupied, and new construction it's hardly rough/or a downslope. Housing prices have risen considerably in 5 years, my home has appraised at 2.5 times what I paid for it in 2004....that would be atypical for neighborhoods on a downward spiral.

[otters21]

Originally Posted by niceguy19125

I too would recommend Bella Vista. Residential in nature but still walkable to anything you would want...restaurants/grocery stores/drug stores,etc

A previous post had mentioned how Port Richmond was on a downslope, and Fishtown was rough. I'm not sure where that information was come up with other than pure conjecture. I live on the border between the two and can tell you through the constant sounds of hammers and saws that is not the case. Between all of the remodeling of existing housing stock, the swing from tenant occupied to owner occupied, and new construction it's hardly rough/or a downslope. Housing prices have risen considerably in 5 years, my home has appraised at 2.5 times what I paid for it in 2004....that would be atypical for neighborhoods on a downward spiral.

He probably meant the area west of Aramingo and north of Lehigh (which I consider Kensington not Port Richmond ) is on the downslope. I have been away from Philly for 15 years so I am not sure if gentrification has reached there yet.

[phlydude]

If you look in the river district areas, you are 10-15 minutes from center city by car (About 30-40 minutes by bus/train) and you can get a LOT of house for $350-400k - the problem is that the houses are generally smaller in this area and are of the row home variety. Bridesburg will have more of a variety of single homes but it still very row/twin oriented.

And yes, it tends to be a little off-color but any predominantly white neighborhood will be similar - that is a shame that those neighborhoods live with but they also take pride in their neighborhoods on the same regard...go to Bridesburg on Memorial Day and see the parade - nearly every resident lines the streets to honor those that fought in the wars of our country.

[twista6002]

Most of South Philly would be a good bet. Easy access to mass transit, respectable property and residents, and I believe it's not far from Penn Charter

[orrmobl]

Originally Posted by phlydude

...go to Bridesburg on Memorial Day and see the parade - nearly every resident lines the streets to honor those that fought in the wars of our country.

Well, the white ones anyway... .

[frankgn87]

stay in jersey. Trust me on this. Take it from a 47 year philly resident that recently moved to jersey. Philly is going to the toilet.. fast.. + the high car insurance and city wage tax. Its cheaper in jersey

Originally Posted by toocan-anj

We will be moving to Philly sometime this year. My husband and I are older, late 40's and 50's and would like to live somewhere in Philadelphia, purchase a place for around $350,000-$450,000. We have two college age sons (Rutgers) and a high schooler (Freshman). We currently live in North Jersey, and want out of suburbia. I want to live somewhere I don't need a car! Private school is a viable option for the high schooler.My husband's new job will be in Voorhees NJ. We have been told the commute from Philadelphia to Voorhees is very doable. Any ideas? All help would be welcome.

[niceguy19125]

Originally Posted by frankgn87

stay in jersey. Trust me on this. Take it from a 47 year philly resident that recently moved to jersey. Philly is going to the toilet.. fast.. + the high car insurance and city wage tax. Its cheaper in jersey

Philly in general is going to the toilet, or certain parts of it? Or just because you left? Conventional thinking has Philadelphia on the upswing the past few years. At least that's what a vast majority of the outside world thinks when they visit for the first time in awhile.

Also, if you continue to work in Philadelphia, while living in the suburbs, your high car insurance rates don't magically go away. The city wage tax still applies if you continue to work in Philadelphia as well. New Jersey's property taxes are also much higher than Philadelphia's.

So where are you coming up with cheaper?