rjeneen

The owners of the houses on this street are working class individuals. The ones who have lived on Pickering for a while tend to be nice enough and they look out for one another. But the street is near Cheltenham and Ognyx Ave, which tend to be very busy and sometimes attract a questionable crowd, especially late at night. Also, some of the home owners have started to let their property go so lawns are not always kept in the best condition. Pickering is near several major bus routes so if you rely on public transportation and are looking for a 3 bedroom home under $70k in Philly, this might be the street for you.

This street is full of million-dollar row homes, many of which are occupied by lawyers, doctors, and other professionals. When I lived here about 15 years ago, the women on the street were primarily stay-at-home moms. Even still, they almost always had a nanny. There is a park - Rittenhouse Square - within just a few blocks so, although there are no lawns on the street, it's just a short walk to greenery. Even today, there are tons of ritzy shops, nightclubs, and "in" restaurants on Walnut and Chestnut Sts, which are both just blocks from Delancey. There are also several spas and very nice hotels. Lastly, public transportation runs all the time nearby so working downtown or in University City is a breeze.

There is an elementary school (Edmonds) within walking distance so that's a plus if you have children. All the houses on the street are row homes that are small but appear to be in fairly decent shape. Forrest Ave is full of working class families and there is a bus route that runs down Thouron Ave that will take you near Chestnut Hill or to Stenton Ave or to Broad Street where you can catch the subway to downtown or the sports stadiums.

As with many places in North Philadelphia, this street used to be very nice in the 1940s, but the houses are now rundown and many are boarded up. The people who still live there tend to be older people who often sit out on the front porch during the day in the warm weather. so you are bound to have people saying hi as you walk by in the summer. Sydenham is near Broad Street so it's close to public transportation. The location isn't great but if you work in Center City, it will only take you about 20 mins to get to work. Or if you are a nurse at Temple Hospital, you could be there in the same amount of time.

Unfortunately, the neighborhood has been riddled with crime lately and many of the homes have metal bars on the windows and doors for safety. The houses are probably only selling for $30-$40k if that. As a result, the people who live there tend to be lower-class. Also, the area is not good for children because there aren't any lawns or play areas other then the sidewalks or street, which is extremely narrow.

This street used to be very nice in the 1960s, but the houses are now rundown and many are boarded up. There are drug hangouts in several of the blocks and it's definitely not safe to be there after dark. The only redeeming quality is that some day, if the city or a group of investors decided to rehab the place, the houses are large and many have four stories, which would be great for rental properties if you could turn them into duplexes.

20th Street is near plenty of public transportation (C and H busses and the Broad Street Subway) so it's a good area if you don't drive or don't own a car. Most of the people who live on the street are older (65+) though some younger families are moving in as the original owners pass away. Unfortunately, the streets nearby tend to be hangouts for teenagers and with no place for them to go for fun, they sometimes make mischief. Most of the homes haven't been updated with central air, so in the summer time you will see plenty of air conditioners in the windows.

Wadsworth Ave near Cheltenham has a bunch of shops and gas stations. There is a CVS, shoe store, post office, salon and tons of small hoagie and pizza places to eat. At this end of Wadsworth, the street can be a bit busy as cars often use it as a thorough fare. If you take the Ave in the opposite direction, you will pass Ivy Hill cemetery and the area will get very residential quickly. Once you cross over Stenton Ave, you will find the neighborhood to be much more quiet and the homes to be made of older brick, with tall trees and bushes.

Germantown Ave runs for several miles from Broad Street near North Philly to Chestnut Hill. Once you travel Germantown Ave up near Mt Airy into Chestnut Hill, you will find that the street is paved with original cobble stone in many places. This is quaint but makes for a bumpy ride in the car. Germantown Ave in Chestnut Hill has lots of artsy shops along with several banks (BOA) and the Chestnut Hill Inn. This part of the street is great for window shopping, especially during the holidays when the streets are brightly and colorfully decorated.

Rodney Street has a blend of twin homes and row homes that are about 40 years old or so. The neighborhood is comprised of mostly African American, working class and lower-middle class individuals. All of the homes have little if any yard in the back; some have a bit of land in the front but nothing that would amount to a place for children to run around. Instead, they will have to play in the driveway or in the street. Since it's an older neighborhood, there are lots of trees and foliage, which is nice if you have a dog to walk. Generally, the owners are friendly enough though I wouldn't walk the area after dark.

Gowen Ave has an interesting mix of homes. It goes from Germantown Ave to Mansfield Ave and the houses change from very large, old mini-mansions to smaller single homes that were built in the 1950s. Gowen has lots of trees and natural plants so it's lovely to drive or walk around the neighborhood. There are two churches on the street, one is at the corner of Gowen and Stenton Aves and the other is a block from Germantown Ave near the train station. Almost all of the homes have nice sized yards, which would be perfect for young children.