I live close to those railroad tracks, on the opposite side of School House Lane from the Gypsy Lane condos. The train noise is barely noticeable. If you're listening for it you can hear the horn as it crosses SH Lane, but within a week you'll be tuning it out. Personally, I find the noise of I-76 to be more annoying, since you can hear a low, constant noise which travels across the river valley to the residents on the hilly part of East Falls. However, neither noise approaches the level of, say, keeping you awake at night or impeding conversation.

For what it's worth, I bought a smallish 3BR townhouse in EF for $163,000 last year. That was the going rate at the time. So, even though you're getting a condo and not a townhouse, $160k doesn't seem out of line.

Hello

My husband & I bought a 2 bedroom condo at Gypsy Lane in May 2000 for $69,000.**and we sold or condo in June 2005 for $165,000.**We sold because we grew out of the space, and the price was right!

We were happy about the VERY quite Gypsy Lane community, and the many amenities that it offers (pool, gym, tennis, cook out area, ect.).**There are a lot of young professional and medical school students who live in the community, as well as older 'empty nesters' - no childern really.**

We also love East Falls. East Falls in a wonderful area of Philadelphia.**It is close to Center City, yet beautiful with grass & yards.**

We would recommend Gypsy Lane as a community to buy a condo, prices are going up so I would recommend buying sooner than later. A real negiative of the community is the high condo fees. The condo association takes care of everything - gardening & snow removal and they keep the community beautiful, but the fees are a bit high.

I know that Eileen Flint at Wiechert Reality does a lot of work in the community and I would recommend contacting her and/or the management office at Gypsy Lane (since some of the units are for sale by owner).

as for the train ... you can't hear it at Gypsy Lane, it is not an issue. Gypsy Lane Condos are a quick walk to the East Falls train station (5 minute walk), so the train is definately a plus not a minus of living at Gypsy Lane.

Back in 2001 I looked at a few units there at Gypsy Lane condos. All of them were beautiful (with hardwood floors) and very well kept. The grounds were immaculate. I was anxious to move there. The going rate back in 2001 was just under $100,000. I was about to sign on the dotted line for one of the units there, when I found a townhouse across School House Lane, coincidentally also on Gypsy Lane.

I have to say that 2001 was the year to buy! I bought my house for $86,000, and now whenever a house on my street goes on the market, it sells for $150-160,000. Not a bad return for 4 years.

Getting back to Gypsy Lane condos..... I know someone who lived there for several years who loved it. The location is perfect for getting anywhere in the city. And the proximity to the main line is great too. I never asked about condo fees, so I don't know anything about that.

I also live close to those train tracks you mentioned. After the first 3 days in my house, I haven't even heard them. They aren't loud at all, and it's one of those sounds that your brain just sort of cancels out. It's not the least bit loud or obtrusive.

Finally, the neighborhood itself if very nice and quiet. Very peaceful. Lots of trees and vegitation. Go a few miles in almost any direction, and all you see are row houses with very few trees.

If I were specifically looking for a condo, I wouldn't hesitate to buy there.

I used to live at Gypsy Lane Condo's 12 yrs ago......and 12 yrs ago the condo fee was high to maintain all that ground. (almost like a second mortgage...I can only imagine what it's up to now)
You really have to look at the unit itself which was originally built in 1968 as apartments.
Such as the square footage which relegates your condo fee.....hence a 2 bedroom plus den will be higher than a 1 bedroom...it's based on 'percentage of interest'.
I found at the time that the unit's themselves were out-dated....the lobby areas of the building had really tacky looking Mylar foil wall paper and dated lighting fixtures inside & out, kitchens needed updating and the pool needed work. Ask to see what the 'long term projects' are and what was the cost of the completed past projects. This will give you a feel as to what upcoming projects you will have an accessment on.
The so-called security was a real joke......especially coming home at late night sometimes you would have to blow the horn to wake the guard on duty up !
Sure...the grounds are nice except for the barbeque area which was rarely clean ...the grounds are the selling point...NOT the units.
As for the train tracks....not a problem.
I would choose a townhouse over an apartment-like unit at Gypsy Lane.
When I sold I made a small profit so I'm not bitter......just telling you the truth and not sugar-coating a reply.

We lived at Gypsy Lane from May 2000 till June 2005.

When we first moved into Gypsy Lane, I agree the security was a joke. But more recently (1+ years) the Gypsy Lane management hired a new security company and the security is much much better - very secure and very helpful. They do not let ANYONE in without a sticker and/or phone call.

The pool was in fine condition. We went to the pool often and it was always clean with very friendly lifeguards on duty.

The condo fees are high, and they are based on the square footage of your unit. But the grounds are beautifully maintained and there is absolutely nothing that homeowners need to do outside your unit.

Gypsy Lane is 35+ years old, but MANY of the units are updated and have beautiful kitchens & bathrooms.

I think it's a great place to live - perfect location to the city and you really can't beat the price!

I hope this helps with your decision.