Niles

I lived in University City (west Phila.) for about 30 years. I moved away about 4 yrs ago. So, I am not extremely current on the crime stats like I used to be. But, to answer your question directly, West Philly is no more unsafe than other areas. There is crime, but there is crime everywhere. When crime happens to a student (and there are a lot of students in UC) it gets front page treatment. So, it might seem to some that there is lots of crime there. But, most crimes throughout the city and suburbs are barely newsworthy -- so, it gives the impression thet the other areas are safer. I would say that the University City area is safer than the farther out areas of West Philadelphia. You did say "West Phila.", not "University City". And, yes, there are lots of "fixer-uppers" available. University City has really progressed over the past 30 yrs., and is expanding its progress outward. That's where you will find more of your "bargains". However, I would think that it is more worthwhile renovating a single family home as a single family home. It is very costly to split homes into good apartments. Best bet: convert the 3rd story of a 3-story home int an apartment, with the bottom 2 floors remaining as the larger "apartment'. The owner can live in a house, but still have income from a tenant on the 3rd floor. (You need a separate entrance, tho, and that's not always easy). - Wed Jun 4 2008, 20:57

The answer given by a so-called "real estate pro" is very wrong, and I would recommend ignoring it. Note that the person I'm referring to is not a real estate pro in University City, let alone Philadelphia (says "Waye, PA" but I assume she meant "Wayne, PA".)

I lived in University City for about 30 years, and graduated from Drexel's MBA program. I've had rental properties, and I shared my own residence with paying renters for many years -- Drexel students, Uof P students, Temple students, professional people, etc. So, I know the area. The concept of buying a home for your son/daughter and having them share it with paying housemates to offset costs is a common one. A Drexel student would be closest to Drexel if they lived in Powelton Village (a part of University City). But, the RE values tend to be a bit prohibitive in Powelton & the houses tend to be very large. Probably not your best investment choice (for a student), but a good area. West Powelton is a developing area, and that could be an option. Also, Drexel is, in fact, close enough to center city Philadelphia for that to be an option. But, a student would likely be happier living closer to other students in U.C., and the cost of housing (rents or sales cost) is cheaper in UC versus Center City. So, my recomendation would be to concentrate on looking in UC -- which is a fairly large area. 44th, 45th, 46th, 47th, 48th -- even 49th & 50th Streets are fine. South of Baltimore Avenue is fine. North to Market Street is fine. As you get to the outer bounderies, the housing stock will be a bit more "run down". But, there will also be "jewels" mixed in. This is where you will maximize your return on investment. If you get too close to Penn's campus ( 40th St, 41st St, 42nd St.) you will be surrounded largely by rental properties with college students. Many are owned by absentee landlords and may not be well-maintained. I personally would not want to live there, but a college student probably would. For true investment purposes, tho, I'd look further west. Your best bet is to go to the websites of the University City real estate offices (there are 3 -4 major ones) and look at the listings. Then go to one of the Realtors, and see the properties. They will give you a good feel for the neighborhood(s). Urban & Bye RE is probably the largest, O'Donnell RE is another. But there are others.

One caution, though: It is illegal to have more than 3 unrelated people living in a single-family home in Philadelphia. Many of the problems in UC come not from criminals, but rather from the bad behavior of (usually) undergraduates living in group housing situations (large keg parties till 5AM, fights, etc.) UC neighborhood associations and non-student "working stiffs" will enforce the regs when they can. So, I would think in terms of a house big enough to house your sons plus no more than 2 others. Also, be aware that old houses often need maintenance. So, plan on buying a renovated house, or plan on putting some $ into maintaining or improving a non-renovated one.

Again-- don't believe the "bad press" that non-informed people will tell you about Univercity City. It can be "gritty", and there are many different types and nationalities of people there. But it is no more safe or unsafe than other areas (well, maybe a bit safer.) - Wed Jun 4 2008, 20:20