...looking to move to Fishtown and be a good neighbor.

Question: What is the scene like there? I grew up in Rogers Park in Chicago, a neighborhood that had notoriously high crime in some areas and a thriving arts scene in others (these areas often intersecting). In the mid- to late 90's condos sprang up everywhere and a Starbucks that opened across the street from a local cafe had its windows broken 3 times in as many weeks. Now, I wouldn't be able to afford the lovely studio apartment I had there 5 years ago. Because I was from there, I never considered myself an upstart agent of gentrification. Moving to somewhere new, though, I don't want to move to a neighborhood that wouldn't want me...

Any thoughts, residents? I'm looking for somewhere with cheap rent, small Hispanic grocery stores, parks, and good access to public transportation. Is this Fishtown? Is Fishtown already full of "yuppies"? What does that term mean to you? I'd love to hear any opinions on the neighborhood to help me decide.

Thanks!

hmmm, Fishtown is a product of the industrial revolution where mostly poor imigrants from Ireland, Eastern Europe, Italy, etc (read Caucasian) came to work. It's always been a lower-middle class community oriented neighborhood so I'm not sure how racially diverse it might get. At the moment it is not so. As for a general vibe, you'd probably learn alot by just reading though the posts on this forum. I wouldn't say you'd be unwelcome in Fishtown, there are always folks who are afraid of change and others who embrace it and things are certainly changing at the moment. I'd say most people seem to be embracing it.

There is a great Hispanic market called El Mercado within walking distance on Front st.

With the whole gentrification thing going on, I'm not sure you're gonna find real cheap rent at the moment, although it's all relative I suppose?

...And it's been said here before, but the transit is good. The El, the 15 trolley (eventually - now a bus) and the 5 & 25 buses (probably other lines as well that I don't know about).

Fishtown is certainly cheap seeming in comparison to, say, other areas of Philly and certainly to people who may be coming from Chicago, def. Boston, and NYC. You can rent a whole house for about $800-ish now, I believe. Apartments go for $500-$800-ish from what I've seen advertised. It's pretty safe, pretty stable. Not terribly diverse. I have had nothing but postive experiences from all my neighbors 'cept for one and that's because she's certifiably insane. Sooooo...it IS the artsy enclave right now apparently--there's an article in this month's Philadelphia Magazine, online recently at the Philadelphia Weekly site...check those out and this section.

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