Moving to NE Philly in May (Philadelphia, Red Lion: rentals, health insurance, crime)

[Diane99]

Hi. This is my first time posting. My family (husband-wife-adult working daughter) will be moving to Philly in early May. I grew up in Mayfair on Brighton St near Roosevelt Blvd. but haven't been there in 25 years. We currently live in Florida. We are looking for a rental or lease option in that area or near Roosevelt Blvd (public transportation) that will accept a small dog (15 lbs.). Our first preference is for a row home or duplex with a fenced backyard. The problem is that we cannot come up ahead of time to look at properties. We need to lease through the internet and snail mail. We are currently paying $1000 per month, plus utilities, and would like to stay in that price range. We are an older couple in our 50's. We do not have any credit problems other than hospital bills, but they are in collection and are on our credit report. We had to leave a larger deposit where we live now (2 years) even though we have no other debts of any kind. We do not want to throw away $50 per person application fees at management companies who would reject us because of the medical bills. We both work full-time but it is going to take years to pay the hospital (employer does not offer health insurance). Does anyone have any suggestions?

[leighland]

I originally wanted to move to the Great NE when we moved here. Did TONS of research at phillyblog dot com. But once we got here and drove around it was virtually impossible for us to figure out which was a good neighborhood and what was unsafe. We would find few rentals on Craigslist but I would email the phillyblog people and was told bad hood, etc. Basically, we needed a local person to drive us around and to find the good hoods. Most ads were just a sign in the window, not on craigslist. We ended up on the MainLine because it looked safe and my DH works in Center City and must take SEPTA to work.

[Pat_in_Pa]

Try Jeanes St/Bustleton/Red Lion area. Row homes, safe. Hard working families and immigrants. $850-900 for remodeled with off-st. parking and private backyards.

Check craigslist.org philadelphia daily.
Search using NE Phila. or Bustleton.

[mickeyfinz]

I would suggest the Fox Chase/Rhawnhurst neighborhood: Zip 19111. Mayfair is still very nice but getting conjested. I don't know why, but Cottman Ave is always bzy and navigating the streets is getting harder.
Good luck and welcome back!

[Diane99]

Thank you for the ideas. I pulled up a few rentals in Fox Chase and many rentals in the Bustleton area. Rhawnhurst seemed to be rather expensive with some of the homes renting for 1100 and up. We also found one lease option in Mayfair but the owner wants immediate occupancy.

I have one more question: Does anyone know how long the medical bills will be held against us? We've been married nearly 30 years and have no other debts. We've always been a cash-and-carry couple, not earning a fancy salary but always able to get by. We were very surprised that our current landlord insisted on a large deposit.

[philadelphiaboul]

Almost all of the North East is still really nice, I know Rawhurst, Bustleton, and Fox Chase are nice. I read in the Philadelphia Inquire that Rawhurst's population is around 2/3 older citizens which might be a positive. Mayfair is nice, but I have about three friends at my high school who have moved from their with their families because it was starting to get shady, they were getting jumped and I know a few more people who have moved from there. I am sure most of Mayfair is still nice just maybe a few areas. I know that lots of different races have been starting to move above Cottman which has brought some crime unfortunate to say. I am sure most of the new people from other parts of the city are great just some are bad and bring crime into once nice neighborhoods. I would say to move anywhere in North East including Mayfair although I would not make it my first option.

[pianotuner05]

I find the posts about the North East interesting. Does anyone know what the Lawndale area is like? this is close to Rising Sun Ave the R8 SEPTA train and Robins ave Hasbrook ave? Is this a safe area? Thanks
Marshall

[kimrocktherealtor]

Lawndale used to be better than it is now.. I personally dont recommend it. I would stick to right around Cottman and East of Cottman and also North of Frankford. Personally I like the zip codes of 19115, 19116, they are great areas around Busleton/red lion. Also 19154, near franklin mills mall/woodhaven. I can check the MLS if you want for houses listed that have yards and call to ask about the medical bills if they will accept it w them on your report. Do you know what your score is? If you dont I suggest going on myfico.com and purchasing your score so you know where you stand, it will save you some time if someone has a set score in mind theyre looking for you to be above.

[nkosiek]

Originally Posted by pianotuner05

I find the posts about the North East interesting. Does anyone know what the Lawndale area is like? this is close to Rising Sun Ave the R8 SEPTA train and Robins ave Hasbrook ave? Is this a safe area? Thanks
Marshall

Lawndale is great. I moved here 7 months ago into a great twin with a nice backyard. I prefer the neighborhood north of Levick as there seems to be slightly larger houses/more room. The train station is right where you said it is and its quite easy to get to. Rising Sun Ave has some decent little carry-out restaurants and a quaint diner but not much else to offer. You're still pretty close to an Acme, Shop Rite and Pathmark (all within a mile or so) from most parts of Lawndale. Rent in the area appears cheap as well..or at least from what I've been able to gather from neighbors.