Buying a house at on 17th between Reed and Dickinson: yay or nay?

[shesautomatic]

I'm looking at a (tastefully, for once) rehabbed house on 17th St between Reed and Dickinson for sale. I adore the house, it's got everything I want including a great yard, and it's within my price range. Win! The only problem is I know nothing about South Philadelphia besides the location of a few bars/restaurants, all east of Broad. I'm currently living in West Philadelphia (ok, Mantua) and have only lived in Brewerytown and Fairmount before. We've cruised the street/hood several times during the day and at night, and to me it seems no worse than the block I currently live on. However, my SO is worried about the area. At this point, we don't plan to stay in the house longer than 5 years so we're not looking for a huge increase in value, just stability and the ability to avoid being shot. Is buying in this location a decent idea? Will it retain value? Is it safe to walk and bike to the area "hotspots"?

[bbeach]

i live in the area near where your talking about and overall I haven't had any issues. Just need to use common sense like just about anywhere in the city. Maybe we lucked out but my block we love. Most of our neighbors have been in the area for 15+ years and were very welcoming when we moved in.

[the mule]

I would give it a yea. 16th, 17th, and 18th are fairly solid, and I know there are a few rehabs on 17th planned between Wharton and Dickinson in the coming months which should help. Seriously, if you've been ok in Brewerytown and Mantua, your move to Point Breeze should go swimmingly. I love Brewerytown and I think Mantua has potential, but Point Breeze has so many extra factors pushing its progress, being surrounded the North, West, and South sides by high value, choice neighborhoods, and being so convenient to Center City among other reasons.

You're close to ASB, SPTR/Brew/Ultimo are a 10 min stroll, and everything on East Passyunk is convenient as well. Of course some blocks are preferable to walk on late at night over others, and good lord I see people biking down some rough sections on the West edge of Point Breeze, but unless you live over there, there isn't much of a reason just yet to be riding around there.

[CCIS]

Go for it. We live on Bancroft and Reed and are happy with the neighborhood. Obviously Point Breeze/Newbold has its fair share of problems, but 17th street is a nice block. Plus Damon Roberts will be your neighbor and if he gets elected his block parties will be even better.

[Newbolder]

This location would be far to walk to the subway if you needed to. It's an area thats coming up rather than down.

The true factor in living here is who you share party walls with. These walls can be thin when someone is loud. Google the heck out of your party wallers and even do a background check before dumping money on that closing. A great block can be hell if you live right next door to animals. If they have kids that are teens than you should run a background check on them also.