South Street West is HOT, HOT, HOT...

[LUCas]

I look at real estate, particularly the home I live in, as an investment. That extra $200k is going to come back to me down the road should I choose to ever sell IF and only if the RE market keeps pace. We chose to spend more money to buy in the area in which we live in order to preserve our investment.

Or at least that what I keep telling myself when the mortgage is due.

That's true. Of course there are expenses associated with that you won't recoup (transfer taxes, property taxes, interest, commissions, lost ability to invest elsewhere, etc.) But obviously those are only a fraction of the total. I guess if I look at it that way it's not such a disparity in price/value.

But then you also have the risk that another economic downturn and or some type of civil disturbance sends the area into rapid decline. After all, CC itself and especially its surrounding neighborhoods have all gone through several cycles of boom and bust.

Ugghhh, I hate moving. I wish my family didn't outgrow our house.

Thanks for indulging me.

[OffenseTaken]

First of all, although I get your point about narberth being a good town to commute from, googlemaps says it takes about 13 minutes to walk from 24th and south to ritt, train and walking to ritt from suburban takes 30 minutes. This is assuming that you live immediately across the street from the station, and the train is running exactly on time and at its average speed the whole trip.

I have found, through my relationships with people that live in Ardmore, Narberth, Media, etc, that the train, while certainly better than no train at all, is usually enough of an obstacle to keep them from frequently utilizing their position "30 minutes" from Rittenhouse Square, except for work.

[Scene: Monk's, 16th and Spruce. A blustery Saturday night in November, about 11:45.]

Narberth Guy: Sorry guys [grabs scarf, stands up], we've got a train to catch. It's the last one.

24th and South Guy: Seriously? That sucks. We just sat down like, ten minutes ago! Aren't you gonna finish your beer?

Narberth Guy: I can't, we've really got to run. You want the rest of it?

24th and South Guy: Nah, that's okay. Thanks, though.

[As Narberth Guy and Narberth Girl walk out the door, their friends can be heard laughing hysterically at some anecdote that one of them has just told. With enthusiasm, they give their server an order for another round.]

[Scene: Suburban Station. Mostly empty and silent, except for an audible dripping sound every few seconds.]

Narberth Guy: These benches are so uncomfortable. They look like church pews. Do you think maybe they really came from a church?

Narberth Girl: I don't know, honey.

[Several minutes pass without the exchange of words.]

Narberth Guy: [Glances at watch] Do you think we missed it?

Narberth Girl: We got here 20 minutes early so that wouldn't happen. I doubt it.

Narberth Guy: It's almost twenty-five after, though. I can't imagine where it is.

[Minutes later, aboard train.]

Narberth Guy: Well, I had a nice time tonight! How about you?

Narberth Girl: Sure.

Narberth Guy: I hope we can come back into town for Restaurant Week.

Narberth Girl: [Glancing out window at vanishing skyline] When's that?

Narberth Guy: January, I think? Maybe February? I don't know, I saw something about it on Yelp.

THE END

[five apples]

Maybe people will pay more to live there than in Narberth because they would rather live there.

[andrewd]

It really comes down to schools. I think if you don't have another option chances are once those kids hit 4 you are heading to the burbs. Sad but true.

[annie]

Center City District / Central Philadelphia Development Corporation Of Philadelphia

CCD Foundation Exploring Ways to Improve Education
As part of the Center City District‘s (CCD) effort to support Center City public schools and retain families with children, it is exploring the possibility of having the state certify its 501(c) 3 subsidiary, the Center City District Foundation (CCDF) as an Educational Improvement Organization (EIO) for the upcoming school year.

This would make CCDF eligible to serve as a conduit for businesses seeking to take advantage of the Commonwealth’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC). Through the EITC, businesses are eligible for up to a 90% credit against their state business taxes for up to a maximum contribution of $300,000 to a state-approved EIO. If CCDF were certified as a vehicle for the EITC program, it would direct the resources for improvements to Center City’s 12 public elementary schools between Girard Avenue and Tasker Street. Activities could include exterior playground and landscape enhancements to improve the “curb appeal” of schools; support for arts and culture programs; and expansion of foreign language courses and economic literacy programming.

If you already participate in the EITC program, please keep the CCDF in mind as a new potential tax credit vehicle and if you do not currently participate in the EITC program and are interested in learning more, please visit the EITC website at bit.ly/kVpNZR and please contact the CCD’s Nancy Goldenberg (ngoldenberg@centercityphila.org) if you have any questions. We will keep you posted on our progress.

CCD's EIO application is pending and they're already soliciting EITC from CC businesses. If approved and companies participate, it could be huge for the 12 schools.

[dr_gingivitis]

It really comes down to schools. I think if you don't have another option chances are once those kids hit 4 you are heading to the burbs. Sad but true.

While I know that will he true of a lot of people, I think those who try to find school solutions in the city find it's not that hard. We've been accepted to multiple good charters, but are opting for our catchment school, EM Stanton, which is a fantastic place. The "need to leave" for schools thing will always be there, but seems to be on the decline, and I suspect this area will see an influx of families specifically for schools as the respective groups help continuing the improvements at Stanton and Arthur.

[lbphilly]

While I know that will he true of a lot of people, I think those who try to find school solutions in the city find it's not that hard. We've been accepted to multiple good charters, but are opting for our catchment school, EM Stanton, which is a fantastic place. The "need to leave" for schools thing will always be there, but seems to be on the decline, and I suspect this area will see an influx of families specifically for schools as the respective groups help continuing the improvements at Stanton and Arthur.

I will add to this that we made the decision that one of the best investments we can make in improving our property values is support of our local school. Currently we're checkbook members of Friends of Chester Arthur, but I'm now one set of fingerprints away from being certified worthy of working with the kids so I expect to put a little sweat equity into the school starting this fall. I would encourage fellow residents of the Arthur and Stanton catchments to do likewise. Schools with strong community support are more likely to deliver the desired outcomes.

We have a completely selfish reason for doing this. Our Christian Street property is directly behind our Webster Street property, which fronts on the schoolyard. Anything that improves that school is going to have a beneficial impact on our property values, which will benefit us or our heirs, depending on when the properties change hands. (And if we decide to sell, and if the buyers can swing the purchase of both properties, they can turn the Webster Street property into parking and storage and their kids can walk across a small street to the schoolyard. Imagine that...)

[thoth]

[Scene: Monk's, 16th and Spruce. A blustery Saturday night in November, about 11:45.]

Narberth Guy: Sorry guys [grabs scarf, stands up], we've got a train to catch. It's the last one.

24th and South Guy: Seriously? That sucks. We just sat down like, ten minutes ago! Aren't you gonna finish your beer?

Narberth Guy: I can't, we've really got to run. You want the rest of it?

24th and South Guy: Nah, that's okay. Thanks, though.

[As Narberth Guy and Narberth Girl walk out the door, their friends can be heard laughing hysterically at some anecdote that one of them has just told. With enthusiasm, they give their server an order for another round.]

[Scene: Suburban Station. Mostly empty and silent, except for an audible dripping sound every few seconds.]

Narberth Guy: These benches are so uncomfortable. They look like church pews. Do you think maybe they really came from a church?

Narberth Girl: I don't know, honey.

[Several minutes pass without the exchange of words.]

Narberth Guy: [Glances at watch] Do you think we missed it?

Narberth Girl: We got here 20 minutes early so that wouldn't happen. I doubt it.

Narberth Guy: It's almost twenty-five after, though. I can't imagine where it is.

[Minutes later, aboard train.]

Narberth Guy: Well, I had a nice time tonight! How about you?

Narberth Girl: Sure.

Narberth Guy: I hope we can come back into town for Restaurant Week.

Narberth Girl: [Glancing out window at vanishing skyline] When's that?

Narberth Guy: January, I think? Maybe February? I don't know, I saw something about it on Yelp.

THE END

In the director's cut, the train derails and the couple is simultaneously decapitated. NOW DON'T YOU WISH YOU STAYED IN THE CITY???

[Giavella Water]

[Scene: Monk's, 16th and Spruce. A blustery Saturday night in November, about 11:45.]

Narberth Guy: Sorry guys [grabs scarf, stands up], we've got a train to catch. It's the last one.

24th and South Guy: Seriously? That sucks. We just sat down like, ten minutes ago! Aren't you gonna finish your beer?

Narberth Guy: I can't, we've really got to run. You want the rest of it?

24th and South Guy: Nah, that's okay. Thanks, though.

[As Narberth Guy and Narberth Girl walk out the door, their friends can be heard laughing hysterically at some anecdote that one of them has just told. With enthusiasm, they give their server an order for another round.]

[Scene: Suburban Station. Mostly empty and silent, except for an audible dripping sound every few seconds.]

Narberth Guy: These benches are so uncomfortable. They look like church pews. Do you think maybe they really came from a church?

Narberth Girl: I don't know, honey.

[Several minutes pass without the exchange of words.]

Narberth Guy: [Glances at watch] Do you think we missed it?

Narberth Girl: We got here 20 minutes early so that wouldn't happen. I doubt it.

Narberth Guy: It's almost twenty-five after, though. I can't imagine where it is.

[Minutes later, aboard train.]

Narberth Guy: Well, I had a nice time tonight! How about you?

Narberth Girl: Sure.

Narberth Guy: I hope we can come back into town for Restaurant Week.

Narberth Girl: [Glancing out window at vanishing skyline] When's that?

Narberth Guy: January, I think? Maybe February? I don't know, I saw something about it on Yelp.

THE END

Nahhhhhhh. That ain't realistic at all and it's too long. This is shorter and better:

Narbeth Guy: (talking to South St. Guy) Well thanks for the invite but we really must be going.

South St. Guy: OK ....it's too bad you don't live in the city especially on the West side of South St.

Fast forward to Sunday morning with Narbeth Guy opening up his paper.

Narbeth Guy: Oh my God honey! South St. Guy is dead! He was murdered by a flash mob after going out for a beer!

[Swinefeld]

Does anyone know what's being built on the corner of 22nd and South?

[Jayfar]

does anyone know what's being built on the corner of 22nd and south?

cvs.

[thoth]

South Street Guy: Man this Giavella Water sure is an annoying, one note poster. She's ruining my favorite website, PhiladelphiaSpeaks.com™! Also I miss my dead suburban friends.

South Street Girl: Oh my god! The newspaper says that the train crash was caused by a deranged woman who laid down on the tracks. "Police say, based on her incoherent ramblings, that she was attempting to stop suburbanites from moving to Philadelphia by blocking inbound SEPTA trains. The woman was identified by her parole officer as a 'G. Waters'."

South Street Guy: Why that's the same woman who was arrested last year for peeing in the Marian Anderson rec pool!

Nahhhhhhh. That ain't realistic at all and it's too long. This is shorter and better:

Narbeth Guy: (talking to South St. Guy) Well thanks for the invite but we really must be going.

South St. Guy: OK ....it's too bad you don't live in the city especially on the West side of South St.

Fast forward to Sunday morning with Narbeth Guy opening up his paper.

Narbeth Guy: Oh my God honey! South St. Guy is dead! He was murdered by a flash mob after going out for a beer!

[nuosc]

cvs.

Yeah, and it's a good thing, too. What that area really lacks is a pharmacy, I've always thought. I mean, without that CVS, people on 22nd street would have to walk two or even THREE blocks to fill their prescriptions.

[BarryG]

I know Giavella Water is a troll but it is worth noting that teen mobs haven't been an issue this warm winter/spring/summer (knock on wood). Chicago is having more problems with them than ever. Kudos on the mayor and police commish for seemingly getting this under control. You never notice good police work... just when something goes wrong.

[thoth]

I know Giavella Water is a troll but it is worth noting that teen mobs haven't been an issue this warm winter/spring/summer (knock on wood). Chicago is having more problems with them than ever. Kudos on the mayor and police commish for seemingly getting this under control. You never notice good police work... just when something goes wrong.

Giavella does bring up a good point though, it's easy to overlook the scores of people who were murdered by flash mobs before Nutter got things under control.

[OffenseTaken]

Yeah, and it's a good thing, too. What that area really lacks is a pharmacy, I've always thought. I mean, without that CVS, people on 22nd street would have to walk two or even THREE blocks to fill their prescriptions.

http://www.philadelphiaspeaks.com/fo...2nd-south.html

To think, it almost didn't get built due to the howls of protest from Kater Street. Sike! There weren't any.

[OffenseTaken]

Nahhhhhhh. That ain't realistic at all and it's too long. This is shorter and better:

Narbeth Guy: (talking to South St. Guy) Well thanks for the invite but we really must be going.

South St. Guy: OK ....it's too bad you don't live in the city especially on the West side of South St.

Fast forward to Sunday morning with Narbeth Guy opening up his paper.

Narbeth Guy: Oh my God honey! South St. Guy is dead! He was murdered by a flash mob after going out for a beer!

You're doing it all wrong.

[Scene: Fitler Square, 24th and Pine, about 2:15 am. 24th and South Guy and 24th and South Girl are slightly woozy from all the Maredsous 10 they drank at Monk's, but otherwise fully lucid, and enjoying the leisurely stroll home.]

24th and South Girl: Oh look: someone tied a red ribbon around Grizzly's neck. You know what that means....Christmas is coming, already!

24th and South Guy: I can't wait! I love you, honey.

24th and South Girl: I love you, too. [She grabs 24th and South Guy's hand, and presses herself against him as if for warmth.]

[Toward Lombard, three "hooded teens" can be seen walking northward.]

24th and South Girl: Those boys are awfully young to be out so late. I hope they're okay!

[The hooded teens approach, and stop.]

Hooded Teen: Whassup. Yo man, you got a light? [He pulls out a cigarette.]

24th and South Guy: Sure! Are matches okay? [Reaches for the matches]

Hooded Teen: [Shrugs] That's cool. [Takes box of matches, walks over to beside wall to light cigarette; tosses dead match into public wastebasket at corner] Yo man, thanks!

[They shake hands. 24th and South Guy recognizes immediately that a "jive shake" is expected, and does it without any hint of awkwardness; after some mutual well-wishing, they walk off]

24th and South Guy: Honey, I'm not sleepy yet. How would you feel about going up to the roofdeck with some hot cocoa?

24th and South Girl: I think that sounds awesome!


THE END

[torts]

lol

[CenterCityGuy]

cvs.

Wish it was being built on 23rd and Walnut to replace that high a$$ Rite Aid that has the same sh*T every month

[OffenseTaken]

South Street Guy: Man this Giavella Water sure is an annoying, one note poster. She's ruining my favorite website, PhiladelphiaSpeaks.com™! Also I miss my dead suburban friends.

While we're talking about people ruining PhiladelphiaSpeaks.com™, and about suburban friends:

Don't forget to pour one out tonight for randomuser.