Safety in Philadelphia

[han14tra]

Is it safe to walk around Center City Philadelphia alone and when it's dark outside? I work out a lot and I'm trying to determine if it would be safe for me to get up at 6am and walk to the gym (2 blocks) by myself.

Also, is there anything I should know about being safe in Philly? I'm from a town of 210 people, no sidewalks or red lights, etc. Advice?

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[Klemptor]

As long as you use common sense, it's safe. I mean, something bad can always happen to you in any area of any city, but walking two blocks in that area isn't bad. I've done it a lot (albeit a lot more late at night than in the morning).

Common sense: if you're walking alone and it's dark out, be aware of what's going on around you. This means don't have earbuds in your ears and keep an eye and ear alert to who and what is around you. Keep a grip on your bags, but don't look like you expect to get mugged (you make yourself a target that way, especially if you're a woman). Know where you're going. If it's far or if you're not familiar with the area, get someone to go with you. Walk in the middle of the sidewalk: not too close to the street, and not too close to the buildings/alleys.

Get to know which streets go in which direction, so that you don't make the mistake of looking left for cars when you should be looking right. (I know it's a dumb piece of advice but I've seen tourists do some dumb things.)

That's all I can think of right now.

 

[han14tra]

Thanks. Is it generally safer to walk alone early in the morning (5-6 am) or late at night (10-11pm)?

 

[Bacchus]

I would say both times are "fine" as long as you're street smart. Jeff is in a great, safe location when compared to other parts of Filth/Killa/Philadelphia.

 

[han14tra]

Thank you for the quick reply Bacchus.

 

[Klemptor]

Thanks. Is it generally safer to walk alone early in the morning (5-6 am) or late at night (10-11pm)?

Like I said, I've walked around that area a lot late at night and have never had a problem. There's still a good amount of activity around 10-11 PM because of all of the bars and restaurants in the area. I've walked around early in the morning less often but have never had a problem with that either. I would say you'd be equally safe. Just know the areas you're walking in. That said, I've walked around that area many times very late at night and have never had even a hint of a problem. Sometimes homeless people will ask you for money or something but really nothing other than that.

 

[DrJonesss]

I'm currently residing in West Philly, which is supposedly more dangerous than Center (although I'm technically in University City, which is full of college kids and not too bad as far as general shadiness).

I'm from a small town like you, no sidewalks here! Ugh, driving is sooo much nicer back home though...anyway, I always say that one day I'm gonna pay for my nonchalance about Philly, but I don't think it's as bad as everyone says it is. I walk around a lot by myself, which I wouldn't recommend. Walking two blocks is no biggie, especially at 6 am. You'll find that there are lots of early birds and commuters out at that time to keep the streets populated. At night though, don't travel alone. If you're a girl, your best bet is to travel with a male companion.

However, you should always assess your situation. I'm assuming youre going to temple? Some areas are nice, some are straight ghetto. You've just got to look around and be like, hmm....on a scale of 1 to 10, how safe am I being right now? Always walk with purpose, head held high and looking straight ahead. Don't carry too much important stuff with you. I've learned to fit everything I need into a wristlet, which is impossible to pickpocket on a subway. If you actually do get mugged, yeah you ARE in philly, just hand over everything, nothings worth your life.
Oh, and a weird tip, buy cigarettes and carry a pack with you! Even if you don't smoke, I've had friends actually avoid being mugged by sharing their cigs (obviously this is anecdotal, don't try to fend off a crackhead who wants your cash by throwing loosies at him). Plus, people will often come up to you on the streets and ask for cigs. I feel like they'd be less inclined to mug me when I share...idk who knows.

But honestly, Philly's a fun city. It's amazing to go from small town life to being like, hey it's 2 am and I want pizza...and I can actually get it...without getting into a car! You'll enjoy it, but you'll also appreciate your small town that much more🙂 9 times out of 10 nothing will ever happen to you. Just don't be dumb about it.

 

[Klemptor]

I can't picture han14tra at Temple

(No disrespect intended!)

 

[DrJonesss]

Oh wait, jefferson, not temple. naww dude that areas nice, and there's an abundance of nightlife. Take the same precautions, but honestly, that's way nicer than temple area

 

[sportsfreak]

lol...well i have lived in phila for 10 years now and don't remember having a problem in center city...also i don't remember any of my friends being mugged or anything but it might be cause we are just used to the city...
I would say just be vigilant and don't bother others and you won't be bothered...the first week or so you probably should just walk around during the day, get to know the area and all, then u can start wondering around at night...both early morning and 11pm should be safe
center city is not so dangerous...just make sure while u are here to avoid west philly at night

 

[Bacchus]

I'm currently residing in West Philly, which is supposedly more dangerous than Center (although I'm technically in University City, which is full of college kids and not too bad as far as general shadiness).

The two rapes at 44th and Spruce
The attempted armed robbery at 44th and Pine
The driveby at 44th and Locust
The countless drivebys at the "Track" by 42nd and Chester

I could go on and on. U. City, especially by USP, is definitely a bit "ghetto" but not nearly as much as when you pass 50th Street.

 

[bkz]

Always walk with purpose, head held high and looking straight ahead.

2nded.
always be aware of your surroundings, never look like an easy target. Make sure you know where you're going so you don't look lost...as a last resort u could mutter to yourself or sing really off-key....NOBODY f*cks with crazy people 😎 (I have yet to try this but I've seen it work)

 

[han14tra]

2nded.
always be aware of your surroundings, never look like an easy target. Make sure you know where you're going so you don't look lost...as a last resort u could mutter to yourself or sing really off-key....NOBODY f*cks with crazy people 😎 (I have yet to try this but I've seen it work)

. I appreciate all the comments. I definitely made the mistake of looking lost before. The day of my interview I asked a guy on the subway which stop to get off for the 30th street station and he started following me through the place. I went into a restaurant and sat down to get away from him. He followed me in but eventually left without buying anything. Oops.

 

[DrJonesss]

The two rapes at 44th and Spruce
The attempted armed robbery at 44th and Pine
The driveby at 44th and Locust
The countless drivebys at the "Track" by 42nd and Chester

I could go on and on. U. City, especially by USP, is definitely a bit "ghetto" but not nearly as much as when you pass 50th Street.

I meant not too bad as far as philly goes...ya gotta lower your standards.

 

[sportsfreak]

if u are worried about traveling I would avoid the subway, and use R line...R line is another train-costs more but is very safe
u can contact me if u need info/questions about philly

 

[Bacchus]

I meant not too bad as far as philly goes...ya gotta lower your standards.

I don't know about that... W. Philly everyone prays on the collegiates because "we have money."

 

[sportsfreak]

well yeah...in west philly the moment u get off penn campus at night u just might be screwed

 

[Bacchus]

well yeah...in west philly the moment u get off penn campus at night u just might be screwed

You know, Drexel and USP are also in U. City... our campuses are safe, too.

 

[RoadRunner17]

Is it safe to walk around Center City Philadelphia alone and when it's dark outside? I work out a lot and I'm trying to determine if it would be safe for me to get up at 6am and walk to the gym (2 blocks) by myself.

Also, is there anything I should know about being safe in Philly? I'm from a town of 210 people, no sidewalks or red lights, etc. Advice?

Look both ways before you cross the street.

I've run through Center City late at night before, and early in the morning - never felt threatened before. Common sense should prevail, but I would only go out with other people initially, and when you get an idea of what it takes to live in the city, start going out on your own. You're gonna have an adjustment period for sure, so just don't go haphazardly looking for trouble right away.

 

[riceman04]

if u are worried about traveling I would avoid the subway, and use R line...R line is another train-costs more but is very safe
u can contact me if u need info/questions about philly

I have been in Killadelphia since 2005 and I don't even know what the "R line" is.

And the subway is not that bad during the day...it is just dirty

 

[riceman04]

Look both ways before you cross the street.

I've run through Center City late at night before, and early in the morning - never felt threatened before. Common sense should prevail, but I would only go out with other people initially, and when you get an idea of what it takes to live in the city, start going out on your own. You're gonna have an adjustment period for sure, so just don't go haphazardly looking for trouble right away.

👍

 

[sportsfreak]

my bad Bacchus...i didn't visit those campuses a lot so didn't want to talk about them without knowing much about them

 

[Bacchus]

It smells too. I've seen too many people pee on the stairs to stations. 🙁

 

[witness23]

The two rapes at 44th and Spruce
The attempted armed robbery at 44th and Pine
The driveby at 44th and Locust
The countless drivebys at the "Track" by 42nd and Chester


haha I'm like right there! Yea I remember the rapes, it happened at once. Sad stuff. But Pine and Spruce on those streets have some nice homes/apartments.




Center city is fine dawg.

 

[witness23]

6 AM walking 2 blocks to the gym...

Its a working city. 6 AM is prime time

 

[Bacchus]

Lets not forget the turf war Penn tried to start at the track... one of my friends almost ended up injured.

It is a nice area around there, but I tried, and by tried mean never went past, to stay on the East side of 48th.

 

[sportsfreak]

R line is the regional rail...u can check it on septa website

 

[riceman04]

It smells too. I've seen too many people pee on the stairs to stations. 🙁

ha...a couple of buddies and I got off at 40th st...as usual it smelled bad...but as we approached the stairs the pungence became unbearable...yeah somone decided to take a DUMP right on the steps

 

[witness23]

Id def stay east of 48th.

 

[witness23]

philly subways are ugh. its not bad in terms of cleanliness but it only runs til midnight.


ny subways? man i drunk pissed on those things so many times. clutch

 

[RoadRunner17]

It smells too. I've seen too many people pee on the stairs to stations. 🙁

ha...a couple of buddies and I got off at 40th st...as usual it smelled bad...but as we approached the stairs the pungence became unbearable...yeah somone decided to take a DUMP right on the steps

lol wut, I've never seen or smelled these things you speak of. Well, I've definitely smelled the piss, especially at the subways off the blue line between City Hall and 13th Street.. it smells pretty bad down there. 40th St stop isn't too bad, never smelled any feces lol.

 

[riceman04]

R line is the regional rail...u can check it on septa website

why did you call it the "R Line?"

I guess you could take it from 30th down to what...Market East Station? But that's pointless

and taking the subway (the L and the broad street) are fine during the day

 

[RoadRunner17]

Id def stay east of 48th.

I'd say 45th/46th is a better boundary, based on what I've seen while running through West Philly

why did you call it the "R Line?"

I guess you could take it from 30th down to what...Market East Station? But that's pointless

and taking the subway (the L and the broad street) are fine during the day

I think the guy who originally mentioned that was saying, live out in the suburbs and commute to CC via the Regional Rail

 

[witness23]

lol at this ending up as a west philly discussion

 

[witness23]

I think 46 is great too. lots of parking space. Some of the condos on pine are amazing.


Local 44 is a sick bar

 

[riceman04]

Id def stay east of 48th.

hahahahahaha

I usually stay east of 46th street, south of spring garden, and north of Christian (Baltimore in W. Philly)

 

[riceman04]

I think 46 is great too. lots of parking space. Some of the condos on pine are amazing.


Local 44 is a sick bar

dude...I juest realized that place is there...great collection of beers!!! Don't they have specials on their international beers every Friday. And I rarely eat red meat, but the burger I had there was the juciest burger I've ever had.

 

[RoadRunner17]

I think 46 is great too. lots of parking space. Some of the condos on pine are amazing.


Local 44 is a sick bar

Yeah man, I like Local 44. Been there a few times, and if you order from the kitchen, the cuban sandwich is pretty damn good.

Maybe OP should just live in West Philly and commute to school

 

[witness23]

i stay between pine and chestnut to be honest, market but market could get ghetto


i love how we all come out for these once a week philly threads. we would be outside but we would get shot

 

[sportsfreak]

well people here call it R line and we call the subway the L...don't know why and never thought about it...and in the case of traveling from 30th street station to market east, a lot of times they don't even check tickets cause they are both center city stops and in the same zone...also, i don't really have a problem with the subway during the day, but at night I wouldn't take it

 

[riceman04]

I'd say 45th/46th is a better boundary, based on what I've seen while running through West Philly



I think the guy who originally mentioned that was saying, live out in the suburbs and commute to CC via the Regional Rail

ohhhhhhhhhhhh heck no!!!

There is a regional rail stop over by Drexel..."Queen Lane" I believe...and it is straight hood just on the other side of the tracks...NO thanks!

You have to get way out to around Villanova/City Line Ave before you can stop dodging bullets

 

[RoadRunner17]

i stay between pine and chestnut to be honest, market but market could get ghetto


i love how we all come out for these once a week philly threads. we would be outside but we would get shot

If you're out on 44th, going down to Baltimore isn't too bad though I don't know why you'd want to go down there. But yes, Market Street is pretty ghetto, lol. I live one block south of Market at 40th and Ludlow St, and every now and then some random West Philly resident goes and gets into a fight or gets shot or something at 2am by the subway stop.

 

[riceman04]

Yeah man, I like Local 44. Been there a few times, and if you order from the kitchen, the cuban sandwich is pretty damn good.

Maybe OP should just live in West Philly and commute to school

I should try that cuban sandwich...just let loose again one night and eat whatever

 

[witness23]

If the OP absolutely needs a car, I would love to live in lower merion by bacchus

 

[RoadRunner17]

well people here call it R line and we call the subway the L...don't know why and never thought about it...and in the case of traveling from 30th street station to market east, a lot of times they don't even check tickets cause they are both center city stops and in the same zone...also, i don't really have a problem with the subway during the day, but at night I wouldn't take it

You're right, I rode the RR up to Manayunk this past Monday and noticed that they didn't start checking tickets until we had left Market East. I was like, WTF. That's like riding the EL for to 11th Street or something for free.

No problems with the RR, the EL isn't too bad even at night. Just don't dress super nice or something, if you look like a normal student nobody's gonna bother you.

 

[Bacchus]

R = Regional Rail
El = Elevated

 

[riceman04]

If you're out on 44th, going down to Baltimore isn't too bad though I don't know why you'd want to go down there. But yes, Market Street is pretty ghetto, lol. I live one block south of Market at 40th and Ludlow St, and every now and then some random West Philly resident goes and gets into a fight or gets shot or something at 2am by the subway stop.

wait...I thought Ludlow is north of Market

yeah 40th and market is straight hood

crackheads hang out all day...and don't even care

whoa roady you live that close

 

[RoadRunner17]

Man, I am gonna miss Philly when I leave next Monday morning!!

Nah Ludlow is one block south of Market, and yeah the street itself isn't too bad but the proximity to 40th and Market makes things interesting

 

[witness23]

210 people in a town is crazy small

 

[riceman04]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh man I am going to miss Killadelphia...sigh...I leave Sat.