We're looking at a house in East Mt. Airy and are hoping for some advice on a specific area. The house is located near Sydney and Boyer, which we have heard has been a trouble spot in the past. Is this still a problem area in terms of crime/drugs? We've heard things are improving, but wonder what the current situation is. We have a young baby and want to feel safe. At the same time, we don't have a lot of money and our options are pretty limited. We really like Mt. Airy and the block the house is located on, however, we are not very familiar with East Mt. Airy and so would appreciate the feedback of others.

I was recently shopping for a house and looked at a couple on Sydney and Durham in that area. I thought the streets/side walks there were in pretty yucky condition...trash all over the place and it just had a feel that people weren't taking a lot of pride in their block. It didn't have a welcoming feel to it. Maybe now that the weather is getting warmer things will change.
There's a woman on here (madmag?) that lives on Syndey and has some VERY negative things to say about recent activity in that area. I think the narrow streets (on Sydney & Durham) don't help the situation. I think generally speaking it's pretty safe and closer to Boyer is nicer. There have been several renovations in that area, so maybe that will help things down the road.

When I first moved here, I was very welcomed. Neighbors told me it was like Shangri La. The kids played on the street in front of my house. It was great. I think it's still nice further down the block. But the construction ruined everything. City Planning, Zoning, and City Council were negligent in their responsibility. The community groups ignored the harm being done to this corner. The local papers ignored it.

The police ignored problems.

It's up to the people who live here to make it a great spot again. It's got great potential. It seems like more people have moved in that are active in making it better. If you move in , you just need to take charge and not ignore problems and not allow the city to ignore the problems.

Yesterday, the Clean Air Council came by. I told them what had been happening here and gave them copies of the violations. They said other neighbors had called about the dust.

I was glad to hear that, but it's far far too late for my respiratory health.

I know Mt Airy USA is offering to plant some trees now, but where were they when toxic dirt was being strewn all over the neighborhood? Where were they when this plan was being planned? They are the CDC in this neighborhood and according to the Chestnut Hill Local their president is school chums with the developer.

This neighborhood can be anything the people who live here make it. Some of it could take some work.

madmags

That area's fine. I've lived around here for over 10 years, and in the past couple years quite a number of younger couples have moved in, some gay, some straight, some with babies, some with cats, some with dogs. It's much quieter than it was 10-15 years ago! Although even then, it wasn't dangerous (or at least not any more so than any city neighborhood), just considerably louder.

If it's the 200 block of E. Sydney, I just sold a house there to a family with 2 children, and know of at least 3 other households with a baby & a toddler, not to mention dogs & cats. If you do a search, you'll find a few threads which mention Boyer Street a bit further north as East Mt. Airy's Halloween hub, (Carpenter & Green being the W. Mt. Airy hub). If you're a walker or a commuter, it's nicely centered between downtown Mt. Airy & the Sedgwick R7 station.

Good luck with your decision.

__________________
Noelle Dames
Elfant Wissahickon
Buy & Sell with Noelle!

I live on the same block as madmags.

The 200 block of E Sydney is nice. There's not too much to complain about, aside from the massive, never-ending construction project at madmags' end of the street. One day (I think?) that will go away. But the end of the street by Boyer is nice.

I've been here 3 years and have felt safe. I walk from the Sedgwick train stop to my house at night and am fine. Some of the neighbors are good about looking out for and checking up on each other.

The best part is that it's walking distance from Germantown Ave, where there are shops, restaurants, etc. I walk over there at least once a week for coffee or a beer or to rent a movie.

I live on this block and have a baby. Even though Durham is only one block over, I do think there is a difference between the blocks. Durham is getting better, but I think Sydney is a bit nicer. There are many families on the block - some like us who have moved in over the past few years - and others who have been residents of the block for decades who take pride in their block and houses. I generally feel safe in the area and walked (while pregnant) between Germantown Ave and home in the evenings all the time in the summer. There are lots of good surrounding blocks for strolls with the baby and some really nice playgrounds nearby too. Plus, the convenience of being near the train and within walking distance to shops on Gtown Ave. is great.

We live on the 100 block of Durham off Boyer. We are a professional couple with two children. I've never felt unsafe here. I wish folks would keep their sidewalks cleaner. More and more young couples are moving in -- 3 homes sold on our block in recent months. We have been here almost 3 years and I definitely think the vibe is changing a bit. The proximity to the trian and Germantown, plus the house you get for the money can no be beat. I think it's an up and coming area and I hope more and mor young people who take pride in their homes move in.

I used to run the townwatch in that area. Have the people every gotten together or something. Communication can't hurt!

I've learned a lot about the history of this area.

One thing is that the Headwaters of the Wingohocking is behind my house. I have a map.

As one of the Origin Springs of the Wingohocking this means that it was probably considered a sacred site by Native Americans.