First question, what is this area? Not West Powelton I don't think.

Second question, is this a high crime area? Or just shady in general?

It's smack dab west philly..period. It's shady. But not really high crime. But don't go walking around at nighttime.

I don't know why, but that particular block has always seemed shady to me. it's so dark, and the fact that it's the block where the church was struck by lightning adds to it's eeriness.

as long as you keep on your toes, it's really not that bad of a neighborhood. just be aware of your surroundings and take care. I lived in the Netherlands building right there and never had any problems, aside from living in the building itself.

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In this small neighborhood, it's really very much block-by-block. That block is kinda shady. When you get a chance, go for a walking tour from like 40th to 45th and Spruce to Market.

No, that isn't West Powelton. WP goes out to either 42nd St or 46th St, depending on who you ask, but it's strictly North of Market St. I think that area would be considered Walnut Hill, but I'm not sure. That general area has had an influx of immigrants recently, mostly from Africa, India and Central America. I'm not really familiar with that particular block, though.

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It's Spruce Hill. 44th between Chestnut and Market is not the best block to say the least (dealers still hang out there occasionally, but far fewer than just a year or two ago), but 43rd is okay. It isn't the most attractive block, but I've never seen or heard of a problem. I walk by daily, day and night, but maybe I'm one of the shady looking characters.

God smiting the church certainly doesn't help the block. I hope God has good aim 'cause my house isn't far at all. Seriously though, this area is changing pretty fast (for the better). Several recent rehabs on Ludlow and a whole bunch on the 4400 block of Chestnut.

I tend to disagree. 44th and 43rd between Chestnut and Market are two different worlds. despite their bad reputation, I actually feel safer travelling on 44th street with all the "drug dealers" then I do travelling on 43rd street with it's dark, isolated drearines. not to mention that 44th street gets a good bit of car traffic travelling into spruce hill from powelton.

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"There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people."
— Howard Zinn

My wife agrees with you smokeyblunts, but I'm sticking with my possition. She said "at least there are people there" in regards to 44th St. before admitting that these people are often dealers and buyers. I'll agree that 44th is better lit and more heavily trafficked, but I've never seen anything go down on 43rd. I live really nearby and would probably notice. On 44th, however, I've seen police activity, fights, regular shady deals, etc. The frequency of transactions has dropped from many a day to a few a week (that I see), but they still go down.

43rd is a little spooky/shady, but it isn't the epicenter of the neighborhood "market." A pregnant lady was pleading with me to buy her beer on 43rd once, for instance. Sad, yes. Shady, certainly. But not threatening. The dealers on 44th won't accost you for change, but drug corners are known for shootouts and I don't want to get caught in the cross fire.

In addition, people draw muggers, etc. A few months ago, a mugging at the ATM at the gas station on the corner of 44th and Market led to a police chase and shootout. The would-be mugger shot at the cops and the cops shot back, hitting him (but not fatally). Muggers aren't drawn to pregnant beggars. They don't have money.

I will admit that 44th is much better than it was a year or two ago, while 43rd is no better lit or more heavily trafficked. While on 43rd you may feel unsafe, on 44th you actually are less safe. That said, I wouldn't judge either as unsafe at all during the day.

One of my friends lived at 43rd & Sansom up until a few months ago. People are correct in that its not all that beautiful, but I never felt too weirded out over there. It could be that I'm just used to it now. When I first moved to West Philly, Chestnut Street past 41st just totally freaked me out.

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Thanks for the replies. I just hope that El stop at 46th improves. That would make that neighborhood so appealling.

Isn't that the case with this entire city? On the surface so many neighborhoods appear unsafe, but the more you get to know the neighborhood, the more safe it seems. Until one day, you don't even think twice about the area. Philadelphia plays hard to get all the time, but you just have to keep coming back. It really grows on you.