lol alesis, i knew i preferred QV awhile ago...i was kind of playing devil's advocate (against myself!)

2nd & Catherine is a great place to live. Take advantage of the terrific dry cleaner on that corner.

I lived in Fairmount/Art Museum section for two years (directly across from the Peniteniary/Jack's), and a few months ago moved to Queen Village.

I like the outdoors, so being close to Fairmount Park was great, but I disliked the all too frequent car break ins, beggars, and tourist traffic in that area.

QV/BV area IMO has a much more neighborhood-like feeling, which is something I value. With the weather getting nicer, I see many people hanging out on their front stoops. To me, it seems a bit safer. I also prefer the proximity to Old City, Center City, Italian Market, and Coumbus Blvd shopping from the Queen Village location.

For the record, 15th & North is not that great anyhow. There are much better parts of Spring Garden (20th or west), as well as Fairmount. If you had looked in those, the Art Museum area has a lot to recommend it. Reasons to move there include access to the parks, museums, and easier access to Rt 76. Whole Foods and WaWa are there, Trader Joe's is less than a mile walk and there are some nice restaurants. There are fewer crowds except at 4th of July and October at the Eastern State Prison.

Good luck in your new place!

Art Museum is a nice place too, but 2nd & Catharine is a fantastic location in Queen Village...15th & North is a marginal location in the Art Museum area. You made the right choice, hands down.

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-Jess.
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