Views on University City? (Philadelphia, Clark: crime, dorms, neighborhood)

[jpd75]

I go to Drexel, wondered the best and worst parts of Uni city?

What types of crime happen around here?

Is it safe to walk from 30th to 35th on a sunday morning?

Thanks

[loose cannon]

UC has really developed and grown over the years. You should have a pleasant walk.

[jpd75]

Originally Posted by loose cannon

UC has really developed and grown over the years. You should have a pleasant walk.

I know it has developed, but I've had cases in past of homeless guys throwing rocks at me around 31st & Mkt

[jpd75]

Anyone?

[bryson662001]

Market St is still a little rough because it is still comercial with limited traffic in off hours. I consider Chestnut and Walnut pretty safe up to about 40th st. Or you could practice how to throw rocks.

[thekish]

Originally Posted by jpd75

I go to Drexel, wondered the best and worst parts of Uni city?

What types of crime happen around here?

Is it safe to walk from 30th to 35th on a sunday morning?

Thanks

I like UC. I have never had any problems there during the day. I have gone out there at night a dozen times and we never had any problems. I hear about problems on the news but I have not seen it. I think the area starts to go downhill the as you head west from 40th.


Ask some of your classmates. They should have the best info on the area.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by jpd75

I go to Drexel, wondered the best and worst parts of Uni city?

What types of crime happen around here?

Is it safe to walk from 30th to 35th on a sunday morning?

Thanks

I must admit to being surprised that a Drexel student has not ventured west of say, 33rd Street at this point.

Nonetheless, my opinion is that there is nothing to be concerned about, particularly on a Sunday morning, until perhaps the latter 40's. The "best" areas would be subjective but for a student's purposes, the 40th Street corridor bordering Penn would seem to be ideal. Walnut Street from about 36th Street on is a nice lead-in to the aforementioned 40th St.

[solibs]

Originally Posted by jpd75

I know it has developed, but I've had cases in past of homeless guys throwing rocks at me around 31st & Mkt

if you've already had problems and don't feel good about it why are you asking if it's safe?

[Finger Laker]

Originally Posted by Tone509

I must admit to being surprised that a Drexel student has not ventured west of say, 33rd Street at this point.

Nonetheless, my opinion is that there is nothing to be concerned about, particularly on a Sunday morning, until perhaps the latter 40's. The "best" areas would be subjective but for a student's purposes, the 40th Street corridor bordering Penn would seem to be ideal. Walnut Street from about 36th Street on is a nice lead-in to the aforementioned 40th St.

This. Although I guess if you were a commuter student you could get off at 30th st and never get past 33rd as long as you don't go to the dorms, DAC, Library, etc

It sounds like a lot has changed for the better since I left the city with more of Powellton Village (and even lower Mantua) being influenced by the university.

I'm sure there are still homeless people around and still a fair amount of crazies in the neighborhood. I remember crossing the bridge on market and seeing "homeless man feet stink" - basically a homeless guy who wrote homeless man feet stink in marker on the bridge, had his sock on his hand and was running around screaming "homeless man feet stink" .... he didn't do anything to me, but threw a shoe at one of my buddies.

There was also this time where a lady was screaming at her reflection at 30th street ...... about a year later this lady was in the 7-11, knocked over a display of chips and then on her way out booted over a soda of a homeless guy.

We also had professor bum, FU bum, Chili Willie from North Philly, etc ..... generally harmless, just use your head

there is nothing really dangerous in that 5 block stretch - if it makes you feel better then walk down to chestnut and then over

[Deep77]

I live in West Philly, beyond 40th Street, and never had a problem. I live near the Penn Alexander School, and a lot of families are moving in around me. There are Ethiopian immigrants in my area. So the area is quite stable.

I would highly recommend people who are moving to Philly to look at West Philadelphia, it is cheaper than Center City. I would recommend the Baltimore Avenue Corridor, stretching from 39th Street to 51st Street or even 52 Street. Along Baltimore you have coffee shops, stores, and restaurants, plus Clark Park. Also the 34 trolley runs on it. Between 50th and 52nd buildings start to look sketchy, but I have known people to live around without any problems. There is no reason to go beyond 40th and Market, 45 and Sansom, 46 and Chestnut, West Philadelphia High School on Walnut, and 50th and Locust.

The worst thing to happen to me was being approached by homeless people. Give them a quarter and they'll leave you alone or just ignore them. Generally speaking Philly is safer than people's perceptions. It is amazing how your chances of getting shot or robbed goes down when you factor in that you're not in a gang and you don't do heroin.