Far West Philly.....The Next Northern Liberties? Investers Attack on West Philadelphia Housing Market-SALES ARE UP! (Chester: neighborhoods, university)

[REMAN27]

Overbrook, Overbrook Park, Wynnfield, Carroll Park, Cobbs Creek and University City West......These areas have seen a large number of renovation and property value increases over the last six months>
A number of investors who were working in the Manyunk area of Philadelphia are now moving down into areas like Overbrook Park. What are your thoughts? Does this mean far west philly could be the next hot spot in the city?

[JHG722]

Good luck, because it's a complete dump compared to what it used to be...

[FindingZen]

I'm not sure where Carroll Park is or what defines the "western" part of University City. But other than that, I agree that the other areas mentioned are looking up.

RE: Overbrook/Overbrook Park, I never saw them as being that bad. White and black residents along with St. Joe's students seem to live together semi-harmoniously. If anything, I see younger families rather than "hip' singles and couples moving in here. A newer West Mount Airy.

I don't see Cobbs Creek diversifying ethnically as much as economically. I can see a black middle class thriving there.

University City in general has improved a lot over the last couple decades. If/when the gentrification into West Philly makes the leap over 52nd Street would be a strong statement.

It's interesting that most of these neighborhoods are on the just on the other side of the 'burbs. I don't seem them meeting in the middle with University City anytime soon but it's nice to see/hear about some improvement.

[solibs]

Originally Posted by Tone509

RE: Overbrook/Overbrook Park, I never saw them as being that bad. White and black residents along with St. Joe's students seem to live together semi-harmoniously. If anything, I see younger families rather than "hip' singles and couples moving in here. A newer West Mount Airy.

exactly - and that's been going on for at least the last 7 years.

I don't see Cobbs Creek diversifying ethnically as much as economically. I can see a black middle class thriving there.

from my observations the black middle class usually winds up relocating to the suburbs as opposed to a different neighborhood in the city. Not that something happen around Cobbs Creek eventually - especially south of Market St.

t's interesting that most of these neighborhoods are on the just on the other side of the 'burbs. I don't seem them meeting in the middle with University City anytime soon but it's nice to see/hear about some improvement.

all of those neighborhoods along City Ave. have always been more affluent/better educated than the rest of the neighborhoods in West Philly. You're right to say that they won't be meeting in the middle anytime soon but good things are definitely happening.

[eggtimer]

haha, i'm laughing a little at this thread. Carrol Park the next hot spot? not quite. What the heck is university city west? and as mentioned already, overbrook and wynnefield are both fairly decent and stable neighborhoods.

[VSat]

Hi. I was wondering if the answers have changed in the last three years? Thanks

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by VSat

Hi. I was wondering if the answers have changed in the last three years? Thanks

No. They're essentially the same.

[Clark Park]

I will comment on the concept of "West University City."

When I first moved to Philly at the beginning of this century, "University City" ended at 46th Street. It was mostly the Spruce Hill neighborhood and a little of Garden Court: west of 38th, south of Walnut, east of 46th, north of Chester. It expanded westward to 48th, 50th and now many people consider the sliver of land between 50th and 52nd part of it. Cedar Park was not always part of University City.

It seems to me "gentrification" (or more precisely, "Penntrification") will not leap west of 52nd.

[Ant$]

From Lansdowne, I take Plumstead/Marshall Road/Spruce every night as I work at the VA hospital night shift.

I do notice more and more caucasians venturing as far west as 52nd and Spruce at 10-11 o'clock at night. I KNOW I didn't see that a few years ago.

Is that a sign of changes?

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by Clark Park

I will comment on the concept of "West University City."

When I first moved to Philly at the beginning of this century, "University City" ended at 46th Street. It was mostly the Spruce Hill neighborhood and a little of Garden Court: west of 38th, south of Walnut, east of 46th, north of Chester. It expanded westward to 48th, 50th and now many people consider the sliver of land between 50th and 52nd part of it. Cedar Park was not always part of University City.

It seems to me "gentrification" (or more precisely, "Penntrification") will not leap west of 52nd.

It's not unusual to see white people in the Malcolm X Park, at 52nd and Pine, nowadays so, yes, I agree with you. During the 90s that park was basically a drug den. Not anymore!