Mercy Philadelphia Hospital, 54th and Spruce Street (Franklin: high crime, neighborhood)

[Bdawkins20]

For anyone that is able to offer advice, it would be greatly appreciated.

I may be offered a position at Mercy Philadelphia Hospital which lies at 54th and Spruce Street. I will be commuting from Mount Holly, New Jersey every day. The hours are strictly evening hours, so I would be leaving the hospital after midnight. After driving the route home, following my interview, I did not feel very safe, and imagined the drive after midnight.

Could anyone provide honest insight into the safety of the area, and the commute. I would regularly be taking the Ben Franklin Bridge home.

Thank you in advance.

[FindingZen]

While I don't know for sure, I'd think that there would be security staff that are willing and able to escort you to your car.

Whatever relatively small likelihood you'd have of coming into harm's way while driving, they would drop preciptiously once you're east of 50th Street into University City. Your comfort level would probably remain high south of Market until you approach the Schuykill.

[Hillrunner]

Originally Posted by Bdawkins20

For anyone that is able to offer advice, it would be greatly appreciated.

I may be offered a position at Mercy Philadelphia Hospital which lies at 54th and Spruce Street. I will be commuting from Mount Holly, New Jersey every day. The hours are strictly evening hours, so I would be leaving the hospital after midnight. After driving the route home, following my interview, I did not feel very safe, and imagined the drive after midnight.

Could anyone provide honest insight into the safety of the area, and the commute. I would regularly be taking the Ben Franklin Bridge home.

Thank you in advance.

Its the old Misericordia Hospital and yes it is a very bad area.

[ant1024]

You should be fine driving down baltimore ave, it is a rough neighborhood directly around the hospital but as the poster above said once you get past 50th st going towards center city the area gets better, more penn and drexel students etc.

Good luck with the job.

[mvkjm_5]

I am interested to buy residential flat, I want to know the rate of residential flat 1ooo sq.ft. approx in darby, near mercy cathelic hospital, philadelphia. reply as soon as possible.

[phlinak]

First, I'm sure that you mean 54th & Cedar, not Spruce. My family once lived at 51st & Cedar and I went to Harrington Elementary at 53rd & Baltimore (so please forgive my nitpicking)

But I digress, my advice to you unless this is your dream job, try switching to day shift before you start or respectfully decline the position, if you can afford to do so financially. SERIOUSLY!!!

Like large swaths of many East Coast city, this part of West Philly is a shell of its former self and will not recover any time in the forseeable future. As my father-in-law has so wisely said many times, TRUST YOUR GUT!!!!

There is a very good and very obvious reason that you stated, "After driving the route home, following my interview, I did not feel very safe, and imagined the drive after midnight." I am assuming that your interview was during the daylight hours and that you got very good look at what you would be driving through every workday (an extremely high crime and high drug activity neighborhood). Ironically, the hospital is only two blocks away from the 18th district police station at 55th & Pine.

Also consider the city wage tax (which I believe is 3-4% of gross salary) that you will have to pay for the privilege of risking your life to go to work everyday.

In short, if you were a relative or friend of mine, I would strongly urge you to take a pass on this job offer.

[Hillrunner]

Originally Posted by phlinak

First, I'm sure that you mean 54th & Cedar, not Spruce. My family once lived at 51st & Cedar and I went to Harrington Elementary at 53rd & Baltimore (so please forgive my nitpicking)

But I digress, my advice to you unless this is your dream job, try switching to day shift before you start or respectfully decline the position, if you can afford to do so financially. SERIOUSLY!!!

Like large swaths of many East Coast city, this part of West Philly is a shell of its former self and will not recover any time in the forseeable future. As my father-in-law has so wisely said many times, TRUST YOUR GUT!!!!

There is a very good and very obvious reason that you stated, "After driving the route home, following my interview, I did not feel very safe, and imagined the drive after midnight." I am assuming that your interview was during the daylight hours and that you got very good look at what you would be driving through every workday (an extremely high crime and high drug activity neighborhood). Ironically, the hospital is only two blocks away from the 18th district police station at 55th & Pine.

Also consider the city wage tax (which I believe is 3-4% of gross salary) that you will have to pay for the privilege of risking your life to go to work everyday.

In short, if you were a relative or friend of mine, I would strongly urge you to take a pass on this job offer.

Its nice to finally see someone post on hear who isn,t sugar coating anything.