Any updates on life in Naval Square?

**mrsjdeiii** · 08-29-2011, 08:25 AM

There are some threads from last year on Naval Square... I was wondering if anyone could share more recent experiences. TIA!

**Gladys** · 08-29-2011, 08:55 AM

well i don't live there but am there for a friend several times a week. The usual tensions when people who have lived in suburban houses end up in close quarters. Fights over dogs, where they should go. Older retirees not happy about the young whippersnappers who will move with the first baby. Little old ladies who used to not be able to see their neighbors watch out the window for every little thing and are angry they have to pay or repairs. As if they are paying for it personally and not the dues from the entire area.

So in other words... pretty much like any other urban neighborhood.

**Grad hospital** · 08-29-2011, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by Gladys

well i don't live there but am there for a friend several times a week. The usual tensions when people who have lived in suburban houses end up in close quarters. Fights over dogs, where they should go. Older retirees not happy about the young whippersnappers who will move with the first baby. Little old ladies who used to not be able to see their neighbors watch out the window for every little thing and are angry they have to pay or repairs. As if they are paying for it personally and not the dues from the entire area.

So in other words... pretty much like any other urban neighborhood.

I've heard realtors have nicknamed it "Water World" because so many people over paid and now owe more than their homes are worth.

**Brian616** · 08-29-2011, 11:30 AM

Gladys, that's really funny. "I love the city, but it has so many people in it!"

**Gladys** · 08-29-2011, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by Brian616

Gladys, that's really funny. "I love the city, but it has so many people in it!"

pretty much - one elderly lady didn't like dogs or kids playing around but has an entire shelf of toys in the garage for her grand kids when they visit... she was sweet but not made for apt/condo living. community living.

**mrsjdeiii** · 08-29-2011, 05:05 PM

Thanks so much for the feedback.. exactly the type I was looking for!

BTW-- any issues of noise heard between the walls, etc? Any construction issues that your friend has complained about? Again... thanks!!

**Gladys** · 08-29-2011, 06:02 PM

Actually the building itself has been ok so far. only one minor repair i'm aware of. It's much more efficient for energy bills than the row home they did live in. It's a beautiful unit. Other than the silliness they are pretty happy.

**mal315** · 08-30-2011, 08:01 PM

Any idea what the situation is with the back entrance/exit on Schuylkill Avenue? It had been open for a while, then they chained it up, and now it appears to be open again.

**Captain Sway** · 08-30-2011, 09:07 PM

The back entrance is open to cars only, no pedestrian gate. There was a problem with the residents gate remotes but it has been fixed.

mrsjdeiii - There have been noise issues with residents in the lower townhouse units hearing the upstairs neighbors. Which type of unit are you looking at?

Overall - I am very happy here, minor complaints here and there, but I had them in my old home as well. I feel very safe here and the added benefits of the pool and gym so close and included in the condo fees is great. I also use the shuttle on an almost daily basis. I didn't come from the suburbs, I was a SWCC resident before I moved here in December, from the other side of the hood - 17th and Christian area.

I am not so sure about the comment about the homeowners being underwater. The pricing has dropped over the past few years, but if the OP is looking at the new units coming soon, I am pretty confident that the pricing is at market value. Especially with CHOP coming over in a few years, I don't think selling in the future is going to be a problem.

**urbanite** · 02-14-2012, 02:41 PM

Moving to Naval Square...thoughts?

My husband and I are looking to buying a town home in Naval Square now that the prices have dropped. There hasn't been any chatter about the community since August 2011 and I wondered if anyone who currently lives there or in the neighborhood has any thoughts or information they wanted to share.

Can anyone comment on the quality of the construction inside the homes? Has anyone experienced any noise in between the town homes (side by side or between the 2nd and 3rd floors?

Should we look at the new construction homes in the back of the community vs. buying a re-sale?

**michaelish** · 02-14-2012, 03:22 PM

I have 2 friends/families that live in the condo buildings. One has lived there for 3+ years and the other actually just moved out after 1.5 years. Overall, they were happy with them, but had similar complaints to others -- neighbors are particularly picky about anything that might be a disturbance and there are always strange fights going on over pets and use of the grassy areas, etc. At one point, someone was letting their dog defecate in the hallway, which yes is disgusting and should not be happening, but it turned into some sort of weird battle where someone got mad and left a note and it started happening more frequently (!?). From my perspective, it seems like there are a lot of people who had expectations that just because it's a gated community it would be similar to a rural/suburban development, like they almost expected the environment of a nursing home. But, it's SWCC. Get real. My friends understood where they were moving and they have no problems, except for the annoyances of uptight neighbors/housing board. Also, if you move there, plan on annoying the crap out of your friends and family when they visit because it's a bit of a hassle getting into/out of the compound.

**Mustard** · 02-14-2012, 07:11 PM

There always seems to be a handful of short sales and foreclosures listed in there.

I wouldn't want to be stuck trying to sell my unit with all the inventory they keep adding.