In all honesty…how safe is it to live in Philly
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I hear Camden, Strawberry Mansion, and Kensington are beautiful this time of year.
😂😂😂, strawberry mansion gets reaaaal beautiful in the summer
so yall fuckin around ok ima get killed there noted😂
They’re not good areas.
I live close to strawberry mansion and I use the Citizen app that tracks crime, it goes off often but at least I’m not in Frankford anymore where there’s 100000s of sex offenders surrounding the schools and a robbery or life taken around every corner
Strawberry mansion would be a nightmare
Search in South Philly!
YUP - Literally Allegheny West and Strawberry Mansion are two of the top 4 most dangerous places you could live in Philly
As a person who lives near Philly i would STRONGLY recommend staying away from there, theres a ton of judgemental people A TON of gun violence, a lot of pedophiles, sketchy people, car crashes and more, im not sure about New Jersey though, the only thing id say is good about Philly is were pretty safe from most natural disasters
Absolutely huge mansions in that area
And they’re all coated in red
Don't forget about all the strawberries growing in front yards! Love how friendly people are and that they let you take those strawberries as you please!
it's getting better around there
Don’t hate on my hood
anywhere in a major metro in the US that costs less than $1000/mth i’d be extremely cautious
You mean $1500 in this market
Eh I pay $1200/mo which is way more than I used to but is still comparatively cheap. Hispanic immigrants chased out the pearl clutchers so rent is cheap but they're all hard working family types so crime rate is low.
This was my experience when I lived in Callowhill with it being predominantly Hispanic and Asian people/families. It was super cheap for an area that was safe and fairly clean.
Don't be blowing up our spot smh (JK have you looked at the house prices in callowhill/West poplar lately it is fucked)
I rescued a dog from a family in the Puerto Rican part of North Philly. It was very clean - a little bit run down but i felt safe with all the families just living life.
Yeah people assume poor community = dangerous and I really don't do anything to dissuade people otherwise. Let them have their stereotypes and I will let myself have less competition haha. Only way to save for a house these days.
Literally my favorite neighborhoods. Lived in Queens in a small pocket like that paid less than $1k for the entire time I lived there for my own apt - granted I was a PM in construction and got the apartment though my construction network so I’m sure that played a part in it.
Otherwise neighborhoods in south Philly are pretty good, Fishtown, etc. your sweet spot for a good place should be 1200-1500, saw a whole 2-story place in Chinatown for 1700 got two bedrooms even. No where you want to live in all reality costs less than $700-800/mo but there may be hidden gems around, just gotta search and know your neighborhood.
I've seen less than $1500 in Fishtown(and in actual Fishtown, not real estate broker Fishtown), which is fine. Hell the house I just moved out of when I bought was just rented for $1400 and it's about a 10 min walk from the Girard El in Fishtown
Rittenhouse proper, $1300 for 1 bed/bath. Should I look over my shoulder than I normally do?
It wasn't necessarily a catch-all for every single rental in the city. Yeah, 1BR and efficiency Apts are cheaper.
I think the "under $1000" is a pretty good rule of thumb: I didn't do research this year, but $1500 oughta get you a good place in a good area (1 bedroom is doable).
Clearly, I am not talking about those fancy new construction buildings with tons of useless amenities that start at $2000 for a studio. And I've heard horror stories about people not being able to get a rental, but that sounded pretty anecdotal.
Like any big city, there are nice parts and not-nice parts.
And these areas are not nice parts
It kind of seems like he just googled the worst neighborhoods in the city and posted this
any insight into which neighborhoods are the nicer ones?
The ones that cost more than $600 a month 😬
Fishtown and northern liberties probably
Second Fishtown and Northern Liberties. Great spots to live and not as expensive as Rittenhouse and Old City
If you look in South Jersey you could consider Cherry Hill, Haddonfield, or Collingswood. All safe an easy drive or train to Camden/ Philly
Best neighborhoods in Philadelphia are:
Queen Village
Society Hill
Filter Square
East Passyunk*
Old city is a great neighborhood to live in too. I love it. Been here for 18 years.
No Rittenhouse?
Rittenhouse is “rittled” (see what I did there?) with homeless beggars. Too congested. Also 0 cops.
I also have to add East Passyunk to this list...over Queen Village, below Society hill
For commuting to Camden you'd probably want to be near Patco- the stations are in Center City but a pretty easy walk from a lot of surrounding neighborhoods- Washington Square West, Society Hill, Grad Hospital, Hawthorne, Bella Vista, Old City.. Queen Village is a little further but doable. If you're driving, train proximity is less of an issue but you'd want something with parking.
Not those on the map.
As with most places, overall you'll probably be fine but there is a certain amount of get what you pay for. If you're looking at places at the lower end of the price spectrum, in all likelihood they're also gonna be less safe.
That said there is also a big difference between actually being safe and feeling safe. Many areas in Philly look pretty rough or have higher levels of crime, but those crimes are also usually between parties that know each other and very rarely just random acts of violence.
Thank you, crime rates get way over simplified into a basic yes or no nearly every time. In reality crimes, violent or otherwise, are nearly always between known parties and otherwise happen with arguments getting escalated. Don’t hang around sketchy folks or get into pointless scuffles and you can cut the crime rates to a tenth of what they supposedly are. Even in “extremely high crime areas” at least stateside you’re looking at chances of being victimized at thousands to 1, avoid sketchy places and people at night, you’re looking at tens or even hundreds of thousands to 1.
Straight up, live where rent is cheap (assuming it meets other needs obviously) and don’t be a fucking idiot. I won’t pretend that magically puts up a barrier between you and criminals, but there are plenty of people (read: the vast majority) who live in these areas that have never been the victims of more than an occasional car break if even that.
Visit them :)
If it’s cheap, it’s not in a nice neighborhood
www.wonderlandfishtown.com
Man it depends on what type of person you are... I treat people how they treat me, mind my business, stay vigilant, head on a swivel ALWAYS, and I don't have no problems... But I was also born and raised here so...
This is how I thought I’d be and think if I’d be okay. Mind my business, go to school and home always and keep my head on a swivel….the prices are to good😂
Yea like 👇dude said the killers know who they want they ain't chasing no civilians, just as long as you ain't flashy and in the wrong neighborhood at night your good. Even in bad neighborhoods once people start to see you live there now for the most part they leave you alone or become cool with you. Our city gets a bad rap but I couldn't live anywhere else I love it here
As long as you mind your business you good trust me the killas only want who they want they ain’t picking on no innocents beside they paranoid as is just mind yours
Just know what you're getting into.
It's hard to communicate what that really means unless you're already familiar with cities that have some sketchy areas.
I'd recommend just renting a rowhome with roommates on the border area of a rundown - "good" neighborhood. Easy to find 3 bedrooms 2 baths for 1250-1600 and pay a third of that. You'll pay a lot less than you will living on your own even in a really sketchy neighborhood.
Camden is also a high crime area. Also, stop look at the citizen app since half that stuff is fake or overblown. “Man with weapon” is some old guy sweeping his sidewalk usually. The places you are looking at are cheap because they are high crime areas. Go in person and look at the area during the day and after dark before you lease a place.
Camden crime is overblown, the university area and courthouse are just fine. The area between Cooper hospital and the freeway is perfectly fine. Same city rules apply to camden as they do in any city. Mind your business etc
I saw ‘Dispute Among Church Members’ earlier today lol
Definitely don’t move to strawberry mansion lol. If it’s noticeably cheaper than other areas then there’s a reason, and that’s not specific to just Philly.
Yeah no shot youd want to live anywhere that youre looking at. Id bump that up to a 1000 bucks and look a little more south with roommates
I cannot do roomates😭 I’d rather take out loans until schools over and live by myself then live with someone else tbh
Where is school?
Citizen goes off for everything...don't use that to judge an area. Someone breaking bottles, a CVS being robbed and a person walking around screaming aren't reasons to avoid an area in a big city
Fair
I used to work a block from the aquarium in Camden. Generally around Rutgers campus it's an insulated few blocks that look nice surrounded by real Camden. The good thing is the police station is big and like RIGHT THERE and they probably actually respond college students.
If you move to Philly, to commute to Camden you would either have to 1) drive and pay toll daily or 2) take septa plus patco. The nearest patco station to Rutgers is the city hall station, which is a few jersey blocks walk.
The areas you've listed are generally not good areas, especially if you plan on using public transit. You'd also be decently far from patco. While you might have better parking if you live in those areas, you also have increased risk of car break-ins.
I think you might do better getting suggestions if we knew how you planned on getting to school and what your budget is.
Very true. So the thing is I don’t really have a “budget” I’m just trying to go as cheap as possible. I’m assuming a full ride from the school so I’m trying to be able to live pay check to paycheck with a job out there. Also; I plan to commute via car and buy a toll pass
If you are going to bump up your budget to live in Camden, I'd suggest using that budget and finding a place in south philly somewhat near broad st to take the subway to the patco. A bit safer than what you've listed and you'll probably have much more acess to part time jobs nearby. Also better food, night life, access to drug stores, sports, and generally everything day to day over Camden. Camden generally shuts down after 6pm. On the other hand, if you won't be doing much other than school, you could avoid wage tax just take patco into Philly when you wanted to do Philly things. Not having a car would save you a lot, but I get the freedom that comes with a car.
That's what I was thinking. Or finding an apartment in Collingwood or Haddonfield near PATCO to get into Camden and Philly easily. Either option is better than what OP is considering.
If that’s your plan, cut out the car and use the savings to live closer to public transit. Not owning a car is such a financial life hack
I live next to Rutgers Camden and we haven’t had any issues with crime. Like others have said, the waterfront is a good area and kind of separate from the rest of Camden. Lots of cops around from the city + the campus police. The most “unsafe” thing might be getting approached by panhandlers bc they can be pretty insistent or start to follow you if you engage. I’ve experienced that in Philly, too though.
I commute from Camden to Philly for work. driving gets expensive, but the trains are ok. in Philly my connections are always late & the subway feels more dangerous over there imo. Rutgers is close to a Patco stop, so you can get to Center City Philly in a 6-min train ride. You can take Patco in & transfer to the subway easily.
We go to the city a lot for dining & nightlife, but there’s also plenty to do in nearby towns like Collingswood and Haddonfield, which are also accessible via Patco, and parks nearby. Nothing to do in Camden after you’ve visited the aquarium once lol, and everything closes early and many stores or restaurants closed on weekends.
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/206-N-9th-St-2-F-Philadelphia-PA-19107/2073540157_zpid/?utm_campaign=iosappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare
Under $1000. 8 min walk from school to train. 8 minute train. 8 minute walk home (that’s to Jefferson station, I thought the train also stopped at Franklin square which would be 2 min from apt, but maybe not anymore).
Either way, you’re welcome.
Damn, that was very thoughtful! That’s nice for $950.
No laundry, but does have central air. Good find! OP - this would be a good deal and a relatively good area too.
This is the map of where not to live
Lol true bro no one in these areas would ever choose to be there
I’m a five foot tall woman who weighs 115 pounds soaking wet. I’m the size of a 5th grader. I’ve lived here since 2014. I have never, not ONCE, experienced anyone trying to mess with me, mug me, rob me, anything like that. Worst thing that’s ever happened to me is my bike being stolen while I was in class. My ex roommate was a small town girl who got robbed and harassed once a week because she didn’t know how to behave in the city at all.
It’s just about knowing how to walk in the city. Keep your head up, look around at your surroundings, try not to wear headphones with music so loud you can’t hear what’s happening around you. Don’t talk to strangers, DON’T stop for anyone who tries to flag you down on the street, and… don’t look like an idiot. Literally just don’t make yourself an easy target and no one is likely to mess with you.
Hartranft is where I live and it’s fine, lots of college kids, pretty convenient area. It’s the students that make life hell here, not the residents.
Which one of the temple students downvoted me lmao
As long as your fine carrying a gun there and not white. You should be good. I would try to bump up that budget and find a place in northern libs, fairmount, or fishtown if you want that safety.
Do not move to Strawberry Mansion.
Camden honestly isn’t terrible. Of course be smart, but it’s mostly just poor families who will leave you alone.
The northeast is normally pretty safe.
Seconding. Those studios in your pic in the Northeast for $600-700 are really good options. Look for something in the area near Tioga Station, which is the Harrowgate neighborhood. It’s a little bit outside of the craziness that you’ll find closer to Allegheny and Somerset. I go up there quite frequently for Caphe Roasters and MaKen Studios. The area is generally quite nice with easy access to Port Richmond for shopping.
https://www.trulia.com/building/pa0246-2366-n-bouvier-st-philadelphia-pa-19132-1010252724 this one looks gorgeous 😭🥲
If you are going to camden i recommend the torresdale area, it is right by the torresdale train station and is very safe normally.
I know you are getting a lot of joke responses, but in all seriousness…I would avoid most of these places. If you are looking on a budget, check out Fishtown/Port Richmond and expand your search to South Philly. Philly is super neighborhood dependent and really no more dangerous than any other US city
You picked the areas to avoid lol
the areas you have listed are not safe at all...
If you're going to Rutgers I would say your best bet is NJ along the Patco line
Patco takes you from some reasonably priced semi-suburban areas right to Rutgers and over the river into the city. The neighborhoods aren't amazing, but they're much much better than any area in Philly with $600 or even $1000 apartments.
two questions 1. have you ever lived in a city before? and 2. Don't be offended by this, but what race are you? I'm only asking because the apartments you have listed arr mostly in North Philly. If you move into an apartment in North Philly and you're not black, you WILL be harassed daily. I don't mean violently, although that's possible, but it will be made clear to you that you are not welcome.
I cannot find a decent map of the patco line. Idk what neighborhoods it’s located in it’s to hard to read. I’m also Palestinian. But very pale, skin color is definitely white. And I live in Chicago so kinda. Not like downtown
This is likely already on your radar, but regardless of area, definitely visit any prospective places in person for sure! I worked in housing in Philly for a long time and there are so, so many slum lords. Basically, if it feels too good to be true it probably is!
SO MANY! 😞
You can live in the city for 600 a month but probably with a roommate. A nice newer 1bed is like 1600-2100. Probably wouldn't recommend the areas on your map, pretty much the worst areas of the entire city
Most of the other areas, be it center city especially, south philly, and west around university city are all fairly safe