Didn't asy I'd never been there, if you'd bother to read thw whole post you'd see that. I'm basing my advice of when I have passed through there and of the CONFIRMED reoprts of crime that I'VE heard. All of which I said in my original post. I can't base my advice on other peoples experinces, only my own. If I'm wrong, then the postive posts will out-weight the negatives, which so far they appear to be .I don't know what the OP has heard, as he chose to to say. I'm not small minded at all, having moved around the world, I must be as open minded as anyone else here.

People have taken a snip of my post and taken it out of context. Or perhaps it wasn't worded quite right. Just saying I have never felt particuarly safe when up there so don't do it anymore.

As a business owner and resident of Girard Avenue, I'm probably overly sensitive when I read negative comments about the Avenue. I am a big champion of the potential of Girard Avenue and wish more people, like you, would give it a second or third chance. Granted, right now, there isn't a whole lot to entice someone like you up here, but over time I'm hoping a wider variety of businesses will move in, thereby attracting a wider variety of customer.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, right now the majority of businesses from 26th to 31st Street cater to one demographic, and the entire strip does look worn out, used and a little cheesy, but some of us are working very hard to upgrade our individual businesses, and there are "under the radar" activities taking place to give the entire strip an overhaul - new lighting, facades, etc. Don't hold your breath, though, it will be a while.

A Rite Aid MIGHT be plopped down on the parcel at 27th Street and Girard Avenue. A coffee shop was in the works for 31st Street and Girard Avenue. I've heard rumors of a Rita's Water Ice moving in...so keep checking back; you might be pleasantly surprised one day by what's going on up here.

This admission is why the original poster should take his opinion with a grain of salt, IMO, and definitely check it out for himself and get other opinions.

There is no doubt Girard and north has maaive potential, but, in my opinion, has a long long way to go. Girard itself is pretty run down, but it's more the blocks directly north of there that would concern me most, run down is an under-statement, with many buildings just left to ruin, with owners waiting for it to be worthwhile, financially, to sell. Problem is while these buildings sit empty and in a terrible state of repair, the value will never increase. Some times the greedy have to learn to cut their losses and move on, only then will the area get it's chance.(Anyone hear of Asbury Park, NJ, the owners deliberately left the town to go to hell to pocket all the government handouts, but never re-developed, those people are now in jail and the town is re-building).

Not sure how far I'd wander alone or after dark, that's really what I'm trying to put across here. It's a different story if you only have yourself to look after, but the OP has a girlfriend and I have a wife, so I always consider safety my highest priority, though I'll never live in Rittenhouse, its just not for me.

At the end of my post, I told him to seek out other opinions, including other negative opinions, park the car at night and walk around. I admit, I'm biased, but if he can survive at 38 and Pearl, he can definitely survive 29th and Girard. Plus, as Dynamitesoul wrote, there are many other people just like him already in the neighborhood, he should not feel out of place.

This stretch of Girard Avenue is NOT a destination location yet (and may never be)...it does look pretty crappy, but there is a lot of movement behind the scenes to change the place. And new faces like his, moving in, help speed up the process of renovation.

By the way, Brewerytown Square is now offering a Lager (3 bed/3 bath/garage) for $285,000 - reduced from $309,990. I assume this is a direct result of the real estate crisis the country is experiencing. I suspect, throughout the rest of 2008, we'll see even better bargains offered by them and others in the real estate business. This could open up opportunities to other young people considering moving into this neighborhood. It may make sense for them to buy (if they can get a loan).

Well the decision has been made and me and my girlfriend are going to persue moving in!!!

I took a drive around there last night, a little sketchy, but not any worse then what I've seen around Philly, and compared to Kensignton and south-west philly its like Rittenhouse haha. Like I said the apartment is BRAND NEW everything top to bottom so I know its nice at least on the inside, and me and my girlfriend just like to hang out inside a lot anyway, not very social, I play video games, she reads like crazy, and we both a lot. When we do go out I'm sure North Star will be the place.

I read all of your replys and I thank you all for taking the time to help me out. If we do get the place which we should considering we have the money, good credit, and no one else has applied yet, I plan on having a moving in BBQ the second weekend of April (my Birthday is the 8th as well) in which all of you are invited, pending you RSVP by PM.

Thanks again and If we get the place I plan on being an active contributor to this Forum..we'll see.

Thumbs up on North Star, I'm not a reguar as such, but it's probably my second favourite bar in the area. I suppose, like any area, a degree of common sense is required and generally everything should be ok. Sometimes it's just a case of wrong place wrong time, regardless of where you live. Good luck and hopefully 5 years from now we'll be talking about how far the area has come, like many seem to talking about Fairmount in general(though I think you're Brewerytown by a block).

interestingly enough... about 10 years ago... anything west of 27th street was generally conisdered brewerytown. Until the prices went up- then it became fairmount

Look I've had several girlfriends - walk to my house (and I live above Girard- have been there for 2 years). Never a problem. In fact - I used to live below poplar - I had more crime related problems (albiet - much stemming from the 26th st boyz in the white hood and breakins to my truck) than above Girard - of which I've had zero relating to me and my personal property. It is all comfort level- and I'm a lot more confident in these surroundings than most. I think the OP is probably the same.

Hope it works out and....welcome!