We lived in Queen Village for 5 years in the same apartment at 4th/Fitzwater. Loved the neighborhood, but was lured away to West Philly by the parks and tree lined streets. We're looking to move back to the neighborhood when the lease is up at the end of July. I'm wondering if anybody is renting or knows of any properties available for Aug. 1st. Ideally we'd like a 2 bedroom apartment/house or large one bedroom. We have a small very well trained quiet dog. Please let me know if you have any leads, as i miss the neighborhood and want to come back very badly!

Was West Philly living different than you had expected, or do you just miss QV?

I've seen a few signs up so it's probably worth coming down and taking a walk. I think there are a couple around 2nd and Catharine and I know I've seen other signs too.

Yeah, after dark the neighborhood get very sketchy, to say the least. Those wonderful parks are equally sketchy anytime of the day. Also...I'm not one for cooking and found out quickly that I was at a loss for meal options anywhere in walking distance. There's really only so much Ethiopian one can eat before you start to HATE the sight of mushed lentles and veggies. We find ourselves driving to Cedars, Hikaru, The Latest Dish, Golden Empress...etc. almost daily. Infact, we had dinner at Cedars last night. I miss walking to everything and playing with my dog in Mario Lanza's dog pen.

I feel like a lost kid and I just want to come home!

i saw that one, but i think I'd rather not be right at 5th/Christian...it's not real safe right there at night. I know that for sure. 3rd, 4th & 5th, i'd like to stay north of Queen.

It's probably too early to start finding places for August 1. I would imagine that June and July would be the best times to look.

Not to overtake your post, but I've been looking for a place to buy and have just started to consider West Philly (I live in CC now and am DESPERATE for a dog)... what part are you living in? Are there parts that you know are better or worse?

I lived in at 45th and Baltimore for a while, and am actually leaving my house in May, but have never had a problem with crime. I would say look between 40th and 48th from Spruce to Chester to avoid Penn kids as well as criminal types. The neighborhood is close-knit, clean and besides a few acts of isolated violence (queen sheeba pub II shooting..would you really expect a place named this to not have a shooting???) it is a great neighborhood.

Clark Park is nearby, and is great, but not so safe late at night, as with any park. As for restaurants, there aren't many options, but there are certainly a few good ones. Allegro makes decent pizza, Cafe Pier One has awesome sandwiches and the coolest atmosphere of any cafe I've been in in Philadelphia, Kotch's is nearby at 43 and Spruce to get towering Jewish Deli style sandwiches and shakes. I have no qualms at all with West Philly, and if you want the real deal on crime problems and stuff there, chat with The Fuzz on the UC board, he's got all the best info on anything West Philly Police related.