Up and coming areas in West Philly

[daveydoo]

There are a few blocks just west of USP and southwest of Clark Park are worth looking into. I am talking about Woodland Ave. near the lumber yard. This is the disputed area that straddles "West Philly/University City" and "South West Philly."

The area between USP and the playground at 48th St. east of Woodland Ave. reminds me of Pittsburgh. FWIW, I've only been there once. It seems you can get a place with decent views of Center City at a reasonable price. The views depend on how many trees and rail poles and other infrastructure is obstructing them. Hopefully the arrival of Guacamole and Four Worlds Bakery bode well for the future of retail on the avenue.

The West / Southwest argument is moot IMHO. The psychological barrier seems to be the SEPTA tracks. There are many very nice blocks south of those tracks but they don't attract nearly as much interest. Of course Baltimore Ave. is much farther along in the commercial development arena so it's natural that north of the tracks and the 52nd St. area would be more attractive at the moment. Someone posted a theory some time ago that I found humorous but may not be too far off the mark: If something positive happens in this area the press calls it "University City." If not, it's "Southwest Philly."

[the_wza]

Philadelphia2035 | District Plans

[seand]

Someone posted a theory some time ago that I found humorous but may not be too far off the mark: If something positive happens in this area the press calls it "University City." If not, it's "Southwest Philly."

That was me, I think. I said it specifically in relation to TV news. The fact that street names heading out into SW from Cedar Park are place names seems to cause them particular trouble i.e. that there could be a Kingsessing Ave. that runs beyond the boundaries of the Kingsessing neighborhood. One time they even reported something that happened at 46th and Chester as being in the town of Chester, which is of course miles and miles away in a different county.

[Brian616]

One time they even reported something that happened at 46th and Chester as being in the town of Chester, which is of course miles and miles away in a different county.

But somehow not in Chester County.

[seand]

But somehow not in Chester County.

Thats a long story, but it was once, I believe. Chester and Delaware were once a single county.

[billy ross]

Thats a long story, but it was once, I believe. Chester and Delaware were once a single county.

Pennsylvania once had three counties. Montgomery County used to be in Philadelphia County. Delaware County used to be in Chester County. I think Pennsylvania also had three other 'Lower Counties' also, and that today we call those the state of Delaware. Not entirely sure about that one, though, but I'm pretty sure.

[BarryG]

What about Ohio?

[NickFromGtown]

Word has it that some new neighbors have had a very tough time in that little area due to "entrenched criminal activity." A cop told me that older residents are upset that USP students are moving in and thus USP bike patrol is also moving in and calling the real cops about drug activity. But I'm sure some folks have had good experiences, too.

/facepalm

Reminds me of that comment in the Inquirer where an individual said they would rather see a drug dealer in a vacant lot than white people gardening...

[annie]

Someone posted a theory some time ago that I found humorous but may not be too far off the mark: If something positive happens in this area the press calls it "University City." If not, it's "Southwest Philly."

I think a lot of that has to do with the 18th police district (located at 55th and Pine) being part of the Southwest police division with the 12th. The news outlets are contacting the 18th for quotes and then using the responding division name as the area of the crime. This morning a robbery of a nail salon at 52nd and Chestnut was referred to all over the place as happening in Southwest Philly.

Alternately, when reporters contact community members or say UCD they'll use the location name those interviewed use. So largely laziness and stupidity on the part of the press rather than malice.

[phillydeveloper]

Alternately, when reporters contact community members or say UCD they'll use the location name those interviewed use. So largely laziness and stupidity on the part of the press rather than malice.

Agreed