Moving to 10th and Bainbridge in 3 weeks - PhillyBlog

oobylicious · #1 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 02:38 AM

Thanks everyone, I'm deleting my post for safety.

Gladys Kravitz · #2 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 08:09 AM

Welcome. 10th and Bain is a great neighborhood. So much at your door step.

I've never heard of any local hate crimes relative to being gay or lesbian. In fact, back in the 90s I had a friend who lived in the condo on the south-west corner, and according to him it was a condo in that building that was used for the set of Tom Hanks and his BF's home for the movie 'Philadelphia'. PDA totally a non issue.

Safety concerns should be minimal. Personally, I just avoid walking between the blocks from 11th and Broad south of Bainbridge. If you are going to walk up to Broad then go over a block to South St and walk up. It's all-in-all a great area and you'll love living there.

You're so close to everything including the Italian Market, great restaurants and Center City.

ab1228 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oobylicious

Hi! I'm moving to 10th and Bainbridge in just a few short weeks, and I have a few questions. I've attempted to absorb as much as I can from previous threads in this forum, but the amount of information is simply overwhelming!!

I'm a young, single female and am concerned with the crime statistics--incidents seem few and far between (and safer than other neighborhoods), but the possibility of being assaulted/mugged at gunpoint at hours such as 6pm scares me. Are there certain streets around my to-be-apartment that I should avoid walking on? A general rule for hours that I shouldn't walk by myself? (After 8pm? 9pm? later?) I lived downtown NYC a couple years ago and never had a problem walking by myself at anytime of night, but my sense is Philly is not the same way. (I am currently moving from Chapel Hill, NC).

I will be working at 38th and Market and am considering two options for transit: driving (i have a spot in the garage in my building and will have a spot in the garage at work) or taking the bus from 11th&Lombard. My first inclination was to take the bus, but now I'm leaning towards driving as the safest option (since I wouldn't even have to walk outside--but I'm wondering how paranoid I am being as far as crime is concerned), as well as quickest. Any thoughts?

My third "question" concerns the tolerance of this neighborhood to gays and lesbians? Any hate crimes? Strict recommendations to avoid any sort of public display of affection, etc.?

Thank you for reading my lengthy post (if you did

), and I appreciate your thoughts. Despite my safety concerns, I'm looking forward to moving to the neighborhood!

First, welcome to the hood, specifically close to me(10th/Catherine). This area is great, and I would have to say that you will truly enjoy where you are at for it's convenience and proximity to everything the city has to offer. The area is safe, family oriented, but like everywhere else, after the sun goes down, you just need to be aware of your surroundings. My wife works and goes to school at Penn and she takes the 11th/Lombard bus 3-4x/week with ease, takes about 20 minutes per ride. I would suggest that. As far as the hood tolerance, being that the "Gayborhood" is not far away at all(3-4 blocks depending upon where you are talking about), I have not ever seen any problems. South St. area is very welcoming of all cultures and beliefs, that is the great part about being here. Don't hesitate to ask any further questions.

oobylicious · #4 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 09:31 AM

Thank you Gladys Kravitz and ab1228! I feel much better about taking the bus, and about the safety of my specific corner. I will be sure to post any other questions I have

.

Stripped · #5 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 11:25 AM

The 40 bus will pick you up and drop you off literally at your office door. Much much better than driving!

O.H. Lee · #6 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 11:25 AM

I would consider the area one of the more safer ones in the city. A burglary or mugging may occur once in a blue moon, but incidents like the robbery/homicide that happened well below you on Ellsworth Street are extremely rare.

Theft from autos, with GPS units being the hot item, is less of a concern, since you have a garage, but use common sense when parked elsewhere and leave nothing in the car.

Also your commute, if going over the South Street Bridge, is going to take longer when they close the bridge for replacement.

You will be fine.

Fifi Le Pew · #7 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 11:48 AM

great location--so convenient to the grocery stores/cafes/restaurants, etc. In my opinion, you would be hard pressed to find a better neighborhood in the city!

I live within a couple blocks of you. As a female I feel completely safe in the general area. I'm rarely out after 11pm or so, but have had no problems and have never felt unsafe when I walk at night. after dark. Of course, anything could happen, so I'm always aware. You should have no problem with being gay in this neighborhood.

Welcome--it's truly a superb n'hood!

lockwoa · #8 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 01:08 PM

Yes - welcome to the neighborhood! I live a block from you and as a single female i feel relatively safe, but with the crimes as of late I will say I am much more aware when walking home late at night. I also agree with the other poster and tend to walk down south street or another street further north if i'm walking west as the area right around broad street can be a bit sketchy in my opinion.
As long as you're working normal hours i'd definitely take the bus as it's much easier than bothering with your car...
I am not aware of any issues as we are very close to the gayborhood and in general i think it's a pretty gay friendly city.

Bainbridge · #9 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lockwoa

Yes - welcome to the neighborhood! I live a block from you and as a single female i feel relatively safe, but with the crimes as of late I will say I am much more aware when walking home late at night. I also agree with the other poster and tend to walk down south street or another street further north if i'm walking west as the area right around broad street can be a bit sketchy in my opinion.
As long as you're working normal hours i'd definitely take the bus as it's much easier than bothering with your car...
I am not aware of any issues as we are very close to the gayborhood and in general i think it's a pretty gay friendly city.

These are pretty much my feelings as well, and I'm also a single girl who lives a block away from you

This is one of the safest neighborhoods you can be in. I don't own a car and walk almost everywhere. My rule of thumb is that I don't walk south or west after 10/10:30pm unless I'm with someone. I generally don't walk anywhere after midnight without someone, although there have been times I've walked home from a friend's house in center city at 1/1:30 in the morning (don't tell my parents). I always carry pepper spray. As of late I've stopped wearing my ipod while walking (day or night) to keep more aware of my surroundings.

The lay of the land: there's public housing (projects) from 11th - 13th on Bainbridge. Don't walk around them after dark. There are also bigger projects around 4th/5th, Christian/Washington. I try not to walk through that area at all.

As for the gay thing...nothing to worry about. Doesn't philly have the highest or second highest gay population in the US? Anyway, TRUST ME, as a single straight girl....there are lots of gay men (and women) in the town. sadly, sometimes it feels like every man i meet is gay

Hope you enjoy your new neighborhood!

ladychickenpox · #10 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 08:43 PM

i moved here from chapel hill as well (carrboro, actually) and i think my advice would be to treat philly streets at night as you would Rosemary at night. it's not unsafe in this neighborhood, but as a female you probably don't want to do too much walking alone after, say, 10 or 11. i've never felt unsafe, but everyone tells me i'm unwise, so i try to listen and take cabs or walk with friends when possible. welcome.