Hello folks of Fishtown.
I have been living in S. Philly for just over a year now and am desparately trying to ESCAPE! I used to live in Fairmount, but you know about the price of homes there. I was afraid to come to Fishtown when I was looking a year ago. Just based on my experiences driving through the area on the way to Temple from Bucks County in the late 90's. What a mistake I have made!

I'm now looking in your neck of the woods and would like to know where it is safe for a single gal to live and where the "border" is to be wary of. I love diversity and long for intelligent conversations with my neighbors.

Peace,
Rose

I am interested in where you live (south philly is a rather big area)and why you don't like it? Brooke will be able to give you the skinny on F-town.

Me too. Are you selling a home?

I'm a single gal, as you say. I feel perfectly safe and I grew up in the burbs. I bought my house about 6 months ago, and started looking there about a year ago. There's absolutely no reason to be afraid of Fishtown--it's a stable and (as you guessed--)gentrifying working class neighborhood. It has a very active neighborhood association (so I hear--I have yet to make it to a meeting) and very friendly. Parking is convenient, it's on the Market-Frankford El line, not to mention 3 buses run through it and the trolley will soon be up on Girard Avenue again...

I encourage you to come to Johnny Brenda's on the corner of Frankford and Girard tomorrow--some neighborhood folks and those interested in the neighborhood are gathering there at 7pm.

As far as real estate borders, stay off Frankford Avenue--anything East of Frankford is fine. The West border is the water--some of the area closest to the water is noisy because of the proximity to 95, but some of the nicest houses are over there. Northern border...I wouldn't go above York but the Northern border is quickly moving North--there's, for instance, a house for $209K that I'd take a look at on Cumberland.

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Resident of Fishtown, Moderator of Fish/No. Libs/Kenzo forum, Real Estate Agent-Prudential Fox & Roach

There are blocks above York that are nicer than a lot of Fishtown, IMO--& a better deal, too. A lot of the potential of this area is tied to what will happen along the River--a subject clouded in major mystery. If Cramp's Shipyard & the old coalyards ever become something other than wasteland, this area will really take off. It needs a name, tho. It used to be called "Balltown." Is that any worse than "Fishtown?"

Call New Kensington
215-427-0350

It is mostly Neighborhood people there, they have mortgage counseling and rehabbed houses that they sell.

You will get good advice and maybe a good start to you home purchase.

Good Luck!

Michelle

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"Exceptional human beings must be given exceptional educational treatment."
Hans Asperger, 1944