I'm curious about people's opinions of the area around 13th and Passyunk. How safe is the neighborhood? Are there many trash/noise issues? Is the neighborhood on the way up, or is it stagnant? Is there much of a restaurant/bar scene? How dependent is it on walking over to the Italian Market or up into Center City? Any thoughts would be great. Thanks!

13th and Passyunk is a very safe neighborhood. It is also very noisy. Most of the noise comes from young kids walking through. Very good restaurants within a short walk. Go down Passyunk and it will take you right to the Italian Market and South Street. Broad Street subway is right on Snyder Avenue one block away. If you can stand the noise I recommend renting there.

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What's a newbold?

I actually agree with salsa on this one. I'm right up the road on federal. Passyunk ave itself seems to be seeing a tiny rebirth. A couple of new resturaunts have opened near moore. Hopefully more will follow.

The neighborhood in general is safe although we seem to be have a hard time up my way with car break in's, 15 or so in the last few weeks. Also, there was a murder on 13th and federal two weeks ago. It seemed to be a drug dispute between house mates, so I wouldn't worry about it being a recurring thing. All in all, it is very safe here. I have no trouble walking anywhere, anytime.

As salsa said transportation is a snap. Lots of trash though.

I forgot about the trash. Yeah, that is a negative.

I would not call 13th and Passyunk the same neighborhood as where you live, Stink. I would call them completely different.

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Hello RPM.

HogIslandGrip and I live very near there (where 11th hits Passyunk). About 4 blocks north. We really enjoy the area.

Lots of great BYOBs that are mostly Italian, but if you walk a little there is more variety, mostly to the north. There also are probably a lot of great out-of-the-way places closer to you and South -again, mostly Italian - you've just got to look for them.

Bar scene, that's a different story. We don't hit the bars as much as we used to (or would like to) so there may be something we are missing. There are a few places - try Vincenzo's on 13th, and the South Philly Tap room on Rosewood and Mifflin across Broad Street.

You're in the city so there is going to be trash. If you are on a block of people who care, everyone sweeps up. That's what you hope for.

There is going to be noise. But not crazy riotous South Street noise. We get transient noise - people passing through, mostly on weekends. But we are closer to Pat's and Geno's.

Overall it is a solid neighborhood. Enough older residents to really add to the history of the neighborhood and enough younger newer residents to liven things up. How safe you feel is really a subjective thing. I feel safe.

If there aren't enough things in your neighborhood to amuse you - the joy is that you are close to the Broad Street line and the 23 bus and can easily hop into Center City (or down to the stadiums for that matter).

How's that for thoughts?

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Expecting life to treat you well because you are a good person is like expecting an angry bull not to charge because you are a vegetarian.-- S. R. Barr

Really how so? I think we may be a bit more diverse but that could be my perception. I'm mid between 11 and 12th.

BTW, the trash thing goes away a bit for the summer. Somewhat.

Stink,

Perhaps I misunderstand where you live. I thought you were near Ellsworth. If I am wrong please correct me.

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No, your right. I'm on federal across from the Jewish cemetery and elementry school. 12th and federal is my corner but my address is in the 1100's

I've been living near this area for the last nine months, and I think it's a great neighborhood. In the short time that I've been here, I've seen lots of improvements particularly along the stretch of East Passyunk between Broad and Tasker, such as:

- A newly and beautifully rehabbed building at Passyunk and Mifflin that now houses Filitalia, an Italian language and culture center.

- Demolition about to begin on a building south of there where, I understand, a new cafe restaurant is going to be built.

- A relatively new and very upscale Italian restaurant/wine bar, Paradiso's, where business seems to be booming.

- A fountain at Passyunk and Tasker, which I always enjoy seeing when I walk by, especially since there's also mellow music from the '40s and '50s playing there.

- Frequent neighborhood festivities happening along Passyunk sponsored by Citizens Alliance for Better Neighborhoods. Tomorrow, for instance, they're going to have some kind of a spring festival featuring Mummers performances and sidewalk sales.

Yes, lots of good stuff is happening here.

In the minus column, at least from my own personal perspective, trash is indeed a problem around these parts. Don't ask me why, but there seems to be an awful lot of folks around here who don't mind living with trash piled up on the sidewalks, streets, and gutters in front of their homes. I don't know if it's just a part of South Philly culture or what, but I really hate it. I pick up trash in front of my home and my neighbors' properties on a daily basis, and it doesn't get better.

And, yes, it's noisy, but it's the city and there's lots of life around us. I think the sound of lots and lots of kids frolicking, while sometimes disruptive, is a good sign.

Heretofore, I've always lived in suburbia and, all things considered, I'd rather be in Philadelphia!