Is this place in Philadelphia safe?
May 5, 2010 9:07 AM Subscribe
I'm about to move to Philadelphia and I'm looking for a place to live. I'll be renting. Can anyone tell me if this area (intersection inside) in University City is safe to move to? Area listed inside.
I'm looking around 50th & Walton Ave. I'm looking for responses from folks who live around that area, or if you live in philly and would drive by there and give your assessment, that would be fantastic. Thanks!
I'm looking around 50th & Walton Ave. I'm looking for responses from folks who live around that area, or if you live in philly and would drive by there and give your assessment, that would be fantastic. Thanks!
Agreed that it's decent, there's been a real gentrifying push into the low 50s in the past couple years, but I also agree that when you're on the fringe like that you don't have much room to move either to the south or to the west before it falls off.
posted by The Straightener at 9:19 AM on May 5, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by The Straightener at 9:19 AM on May 5, 2010 [1 favorite]
I personally wouldn't live in that area, but I am a little sensitive to these sorts of things I suppose.
posted by sickinthehead at 9:33 AM on May 5, 2010
posted by sickinthehead at 9:33 AM on May 5, 2010
(Also some folks might get mad at you for calling that University City... it's West Philadelphia.)
posted by timory at 9:58 AM on May 5, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by timory at 9:58 AM on May 5, 2010 [1 favorite]
timory: It is Lenapehoking. "West Philadelphia" is colonialism.
Seriously, though, that's too far west to be called UC by anybody who's not trying to sell you something. I've heard the neighborhood called "Cedar Park" -- which is the name of the neighbors association and the name of the triangular park bounded by 50th, Baltimore, and Catharine. But I wouldn't describe myself as living in "Cedar Park" because I don't think people actually know where that is.
posted by madcaptenor at 10:12 AM on May 5, 2010
Seriously, though, that's too far west to be called UC by anybody who's not trying to sell you something. I've heard the neighborhood called "Cedar Park" -- which is the name of the neighbors association and the name of the triangular park bounded by 50th, Baltimore, and Catharine. But I wouldn't describe myself as living in "Cedar Park" because I don't think people actually know where that is.
posted by madcaptenor at 10:12 AM on May 5, 2010
Yeah, I'll second that not being University City.
posted by runcibleshaw at 10:28 AM on May 5, 2010
posted by runcibleshaw at 10:28 AM on May 5, 2010
It's right on the cusp. 49th and 50th street are okay.
The 4900 block of Walton is slowly being gentrified. You're two blocks from the trolley, and about 6 blocks form the bus to Center City. Baltimore Avenue is south 2 blocks and heads into town, it's pretty safe, there is a brew pub, hipsters, anarchists, multiple cheap takeout places, etc.
It's kind of west for University City. UC is more yuppy and expensive. By one convention it starts east of 47th street. There you will find expensive organic groceries, restored victorian houses, etc.
We were looking to buy around here at one point so I did block by block searches of the Inquirer (local paper) database. As it happens, the 5000 block of Walton seemed to be a little bit more violent than usual - some gun fights, some guy from that block shooting people in another part of Philly, an old folks 'home' where the residents were kidnapped and taken to upstate NY while their social security was stolen.
I would say the murder rate on this block was about 0.2-0.3 a year. As it's West Philly, people think this is okay. Depending on where you are coming from it might not be.
If you don't mind drug dealing, prostitution, drunks (in the small Cedar Park opposite the liquor store) it's okay. You can avoid most of these. The baggies and general crap in the local parks is a bit of a bummer.
On the bright side it is a very lively area. You will avoid car use a lot of the time I think. It is beautiful in spring and fall, many trees everywhere. The people are very nice.
posted by carter at 10:36 AM on May 5, 2010
The 4900 block of Walton is slowly being gentrified. You're two blocks from the trolley, and about 6 blocks form the bus to Center City. Baltimore Avenue is south 2 blocks and heads into town, it's pretty safe, there is a brew pub, hipsters, anarchists, multiple cheap takeout places, etc.
It's kind of west for University City. UC is more yuppy and expensive. By one convention it starts east of 47th street. There you will find expensive organic groceries, restored victorian houses, etc.
We were looking to buy around here at one point so I did block by block searches of the Inquirer (local paper) database. As it happens, the 5000 block of Walton seemed to be a little bit more violent than usual - some gun fights, some guy from that block shooting people in another part of Philly, an old folks 'home' where the residents were kidnapped and taken to upstate NY while their social security was stolen.
I would say the murder rate on this block was about 0.2-0.3 a year. As it's West Philly, people think this is okay. Depending on where you are coming from it might not be.
If you don't mind drug dealing, prostitution, drunks (in the small Cedar Park opposite the liquor store) it's okay. You can avoid most of these. The baggies and general crap in the local parks is a bit of a bummer.
On the bright side it is a very lively area. You will avoid car use a lot of the time I think. It is beautiful in spring and fall, many trees everywhere. The people are very nice.
posted by carter at 10:36 AM on May 5, 2010
P.S. The Inquirer murder map is here. In 2009, there were 4 murders on 52nd Street (a busy thoroughfare) between Baltimore and Spruce. No real reason to go to 52nd Street though.
posted by carter at 10:43 AM on May 5, 2010
posted by carter at 10:43 AM on May 5, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by madcaptenor at 9:10 AM on May 5, 2010