I'm about to rent an apartment from 1010 race. I would like to know if anyone here has any experience living in the building and what it is like.

first of all, how is the surrounding area later in the evening? It is relatively safe? I often see bums around the corners during the day time.

Also, I would be renting directly from the owner and would like to know if that is a good or bad thing. I'm slightly worried about maintenance because there is no maintenance staff and I would like to contact the owner for any problems. Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance

it's philly, you will have your fair share of bums. the wawa on the corner is a prime hangout for all the losers in the vicinity.

My girlfriend lives in the building so I've looked into safety. It's about as safe as you can get. Manned front desk 24/7 and a card swipe when they're away from the desk.

The building is quite nice. Due to the hardwood floors some noises transmit more than they would in carpeted units (such as high heels above you) but even that is tempered by relatively thick walls and good floors (looks like the original subfloor, then a new plywood subfloor, then the hardwood).

Some amenities you might not be aware of, the front desk can receive packages (so convenient) and the front desk also handles dry cleaning pickup/dropoff (Cherry Hill cleaners picks up and drops off IIRC).

It's a nice place. And with the street traffic on that part of Race, it's pretty safe, even at night. The only sore spot is that Wawa near the Gallery parking garage. That area just seems to attract an interesting sort of people.

1010 Race was converted to condos waround 2003, so everything should be rather new. I have seen pictures of many units and been in the lobby and it looks like a nice building. I believe it used to be a hotel, maybe a comfort inn. Be aware that the units are small.

The floorplans are available here:

http://www.phillychinatown.com/real_.../direction.htm


One very important thing: I have seen pictures of some units with the air handler right in the corner of the living on the floor. This takes up a lot of space and will be noisy as well. Make sure your unit doesn't have the air handler on the living room floor.

As for renting from a private owner, make sure you have their personal phone number in case of emergency. If something in the unit needs repaired, make sure that there is a plan in the lease on who is responsible for fixing it and how the owner will take care of it in a timely fashion.