[UCGal]

One last point about Philly and potentially buying/improving property in Philly.

As you guys know – my husband is an architect. So he obviously had to deal with various governing authorities to get permits/inspections – etc. One of the reasons he doesn’t do residential is because of the graft involved. (It’s a bit more on the up and up for commercial jobs.)

Bribery is COMMON.

It’s not always cash – it could be in political access… Philly is made up of wards rather than precincts – and ward bosses control what happens in their community… you get on the wrong side of a ward boss and you face challenges you never thought of. You want a permit for something – you better be on the very best friend basis with the clerk at L&I, the ward leader, etc.

My husband had a heck of a time getting an illegally placed power box on his neighbors house moved. It was put up without a permit and encroached on hubby’s lot – the neighbors building was at the property line – so this big electrical box and power lines were 100% on hubby’s lot. The way the box was placed it made it difficult to get in/out of the garage. It was clearly in violation – but getting it resolved was challenging. He tried to get the inspectors involved to make the neighbor move it… Wasn’t happening till he figured out the system. The law on his side wasn’t enough… flattery, donuts, sweet talk (everything short of money changing hands) was absolutely required. And he had to do this for his ward boss, as well as the L&I clerk, as well as the inspector from L&I.

Don’t expect rational behavior and compliance with the law as the default when dealing with the city of Philadelphia.

Also – if you’re planning on owning rental property or running a business – talk to an accountant about the nightmare that filing Phila city taxes. They make the IRS tax forms look simple.

It’s a different system there.

[UCGal]

One last point about Philly and potentially buying/improving property in Philly.

As you guys know – my husband is an architect. So he obviously had to deal with various governing authorities to get permits/inspections – etc. One of the reasons he doesn’t do residential is because of the graft involved. (It’s a bit more on the up and up for commercial jobs.)

Bribery is COMMON.

It’s not always cash – it could be in political access… Philly is made up of wards rather than precincts – and ward bosses control what happens in their community… you get on the wrong side of a ward boss and you face challenges you never thought of. You want a permit for something – you better be on the very best friend basis with the clerk at L&I, the ward leader, etc.

My husband had a heck of a time getting an illegally placed power box on his neighbors house moved. It was put up without a permit and encroached on hubby’s lot – the neighbors building was at the property line – so this big electrical box and power lines were 100% on hubby’s lot. The way the box was placed it made it difficult to get in/out of the garage. It was clearly in violation – but getting it resolved was challenging. He tried to get the inspectors involved to make the neighbor move it… Wasn’t happening till he figured out the system. The law on his side wasn’t enough… flattery, donuts, sweet talk (everything short of money changing hands) was absolutely required. And he had to do this for his ward boss, as well as the L&I clerk, as well as the inspector from L&I.

Don’t expect rational behavior and compliance with the law as the default when dealing with the city of Philadelphia.

Also – if you’re planning on owning rental property or running a business – talk to an accountant about the nightmare that filing Phila city taxes. They make the IRS tax forms look simple.

It’s a different system there.

[UCGal]

One last point about Philly and potentially buying/improving property in Philly.

As you guys know – my husband is an architect. So he obviously had to deal with various governing authorities to get permits/inspections – etc. One of the reasons he doesn’t do residential is because of the graft involved. (It’s a bit more on the up and up for commercial jobs.)

Bribery is COMMON.

It’s not always cash – it could be in political access… Philly is made up of wards rather than precincts – and ward bosses control what happens in their community… you get on the wrong side of a ward boss and you face challenges you never thought of. You want a permit for something – you better be on the very best friend basis with the clerk at L&I, the ward leader, etc.

My husband had a heck of a time getting an illegally placed power box on his neighbors house moved. It was put up without a permit and encroached on hubby’s lot – the neighbors building was at the property line – so this big electrical box and power lines were 100% on hubby’s lot. The way the box was placed it made it difficult to get in/out of the garage. It was clearly in violation – but getting it resolved was challenging. He tried to get the inspectors involved to make the neighbor move it… Wasn’t happening till he figured out the system. The law on his side wasn’t enough… flattery, donuts, sweet talk (everything short of money changing hands) was absolutely required. And he had to do this for his ward boss, as well as the L&I clerk, as well as the inspector from L&I.

Don’t expect rational behavior and compliance with the law as the default when dealing with the city of Philadelphia.

Also – if you’re planning on owning rental property or running a business – talk to an accountant about the nightmare that filing Phila city taxes. They make the IRS tax forms look simple.

It’s a different system there.

[UCGal]

I have to agree with sdr on several Philly points. My husband was born and raised in Philly – as were his parents. His grandparents emmigrated to South Philly at the beginning of the last century. I lived in the Philly ‘burbs for 11 years.

As a Cali girl moving to Philly metro I was shocked/dismayed by the overt racism in Philly. I would NOT describe it as immigrant friendly if you’re talking about non-European immigrants. If the immigrant’s skin isn’t white… it’s not very friendly. (Irish, Polish, and Italians have long established communities – and the North East has a big Russian community – so it’s friendlier to these groups.)

If you hope to make money in real estate through long term appreciation… don’t hold your breath. My husband bought a home in Frankfurt in the early 80’s (north east) -saw the white flight first hand when the first black family moved in. He sold it after 20 years, after doing significant improvements (like buying the neighboring lot and putting an attached garage on.) It only appreciated 30k in 20 years. (Bought for 10k as a shell – HUD repo, 5k in plumbing and electrical in order to get occupancy, 6k for the neighboring lot, 3k to build the garage.) Put in normal maintenance through the years (new roof, new siding, new windows.) Sold for $54k. That’s not a lot of profit for 20 years of ownership and maintenance.

Parts of Philly are overpriced, IMO. Anything in center city is overpriced. I have friends who live 2 blocks off Rittenhouse – the appreciation on their home, since they bought in the late 90’s in truly in bubble territory. Other friends bought in the Art Museum district – again lots of froth and bubbleness. Don’t get me started on Society Hill and Old City. I think it’s pretty likely you could catch

My boss was back in suburban Philly for the past few weeks. He described driving on Old York Rd (611) southbound and realizing he’d crossed into Philly (Germantown area) because there was an INSTANT shift in demographics as crossed Cheltenham Ave into the city.

I love Philly and a lot of the suburbs. I loved living in Glenside (one of the quaint older suburbs north of the city). I love the history and charm of the older architecture. But I would not buy in Philly looking for appreciation. Unless I were buying in one of the not-so-trendy (and less bubbled) areas and had cashflow going.

And it is definitely home to more prejudice than San Diego metro. It’s hard to miss.

One last point – until they fix the wage tax thing – there won’t be a big move back into the city by the folks who fled. The white flight had some racism – but it was also fleeing the wage tax. There’s a reason why many of the suburbs immediately adjacent to Philly have 0% wage tax (Bensalem, Trevose, Cheltenham) It’s to draw in former city residents who work in the burbs. Why pay 4-5% wage tax to live in the city and have crappy schools.

[UCGal]

I have to agree with sdr on several Philly points. My husband was born and raised in Philly – as were his parents. His grandparents emmigrated to South Philly at the beginning of the last century. I lived in the Philly ‘burbs for 11 years.

As a Cali girl moving to Philly metro I was shocked/dismayed by the overt racism in Philly. I would NOT describe it as immigrant friendly if you’re talking about non-European immigrants. If the immigrant’s skin isn’t white… it’s not very friendly. (Irish, Polish, and Italians have long established communities – and the North East has a big Russian community – so it’s friendlier to these groups.)

If you hope to make money in real estate through long term appreciation… don’t hold your breath. My husband bought a home in Frankfurt in the early 80’s (north east) -saw the white flight first hand when the first black family moved in. He sold it after 20 years, after doing significant improvements (like buying the neighboring lot and putting an attached garage on.) It only appreciated 30k in 20 years. (Bought for 10k as a shell – HUD repo, 5k in plumbing and electrical in order to get occupancy, 6k for the neighboring lot, 3k to build the garage.) Put in normal maintenance through the years (new roof, new siding, new windows.) Sold for $54k. That’s not a lot of profit for 20 years of ownership and maintenance.

Parts of Philly are overpriced, IMO. Anything in center city is overpriced. I have friends who live 2 blocks off Rittenhouse – the appreciation on their home, since they bought in the late 90’s in truly in bubble territory. Other friends bought in the Art Museum district – again lots of froth and bubbleness. Don’t get me started on Society Hill and Old City. I think it’s pretty likely you could catch

My boss was back in suburban Philly for the past few weeks. He described driving on Old York Rd (611) southbound and realizing he’d crossed into Philly (Germantown area) because there was an INSTANT shift in demographics as crossed Cheltenham Ave into the city.

I love Philly and a lot of the suburbs. I loved living in Glenside (one of the quaint older suburbs north of the city). I love the history and charm of the older architecture. But I would not buy in Philly looking for appreciation. Unless I were buying in one of the not-so-trendy (and less bubbled) areas and had cashflow going.

And it is definitely home to more prejudice than San Diego metro. It’s hard to miss.

One last point – until they fix the wage tax thing – there won’t be a big move back into the city by the folks who fled. The white flight had some racism – but it was also fleeing the wage tax. There’s a reason why many of the suburbs immediately adjacent to Philly have 0% wage tax (Bensalem, Trevose, Cheltenham) It’s to draw in former city residents who work in the burbs. Why pay 4-5% wage tax to live in the city and have crappy schools.

[UCGal]

I have to agree with sdr on several Philly points. My husband was born and raised in Philly – as were his parents. His grandparents emmigrated to South Philly at the beginning of the last century. I lived in the Philly ‘burbs for 11 years.

As a Cali girl moving to Philly metro I was shocked/dismayed by the overt racism in Philly. I would NOT describe it as immigrant friendly if you’re talking about non-European immigrants. If the immigrant’s skin isn’t white… it’s not very friendly. (Irish, Polish, and Italians have long established communities – and the North East has a big Russian community – so it’s friendlier to these groups.)

If you hope to make money in real estate through long term appreciation… don’t hold your breath. My husband bought a home in Frankfurt in the early 80’s (north east) -saw the white flight first hand when the first black family moved in. He sold it after 20 years, after doing significant improvements (like buying the neighboring lot and putting an attached garage on.) It only appreciated 30k in 20 years. (Bought for 10k as a shell – HUD repo, 5k in plumbing and electrical in order to get occupancy, 6k for the neighboring lot, 3k to build the garage.) Put in normal maintenance through the years (new roof, new siding, new windows.) Sold for $54k. That’s not a lot of profit for 20 years of ownership and maintenance.

Parts of Philly are overpriced, IMO. Anything in center city is overpriced. I have friends who live 2 blocks off Rittenhouse – the appreciation on their home, since they bought in the late 90’s in truly in bubble territory. Other friends bought in the Art Museum district – again lots of froth and bubbleness. Don’t get me started on Society Hill and Old City. I think it’s pretty likely you could catch

My boss was back in suburban Philly for the past few weeks. He described driving on Old York Rd (611) southbound and realizing he’d crossed into Philly (Germantown area) because there was an INSTANT shift in demographics as crossed Cheltenham Ave into the city.

I love Philly and a lot of the suburbs. I loved living in Glenside (one of the quaint older suburbs north of the city). I love the history and charm of the older architecture. But I would not buy in Philly looking for appreciation. Unless I were buying in one of the not-so-trendy (and less bubbled) areas and had cashflow going.

And it is definitely home to more prejudice than San Diego metro. It’s hard to miss.

One last point – until they fix the wage tax thing – there won’t be a big move back into the city by the folks who fled. The white flight had some racism – but it was also fleeing the wage tax. There’s a reason why many of the suburbs immediately adjacent to Philly have 0% wage tax (Bensalem, Trevose, Cheltenham) It’s to draw in former city residents who work in the burbs. Why pay 4-5% wage tax to live in the city and have crappy schools.

[UCGal]

I have to agree with sdr on several Philly points. My husband was born and raised in Philly – as were his parents. His grandparents emmigrated to South Philly at the beginning of the last century. I lived in the Philly ‘burbs for 11 years.

As a Cali girl moving to Philly metro I was shocked/dismayed by the overt racism in Philly. I would NOT describe it as immigrant friendly if you’re talking about non-European immigrants. If the immigrant’s skin isn’t white… it’s not very friendly. (Irish, Polish, and Italians have long established communities – and the North East has a big Russian community – so it’s friendlier to these groups.)

If you hope to make money in real estate through long term appreciation… don’t hold your breath. My husband bought a home in Frankfurt in the early 80’s (north east) -saw the white flight first hand when the first black family moved in. He sold it after 20 years, after doing significant improvements (like buying the neighboring lot and putting an attached garage on.) It only appreciated 30k in 20 years. (Bought for 10k as a shell – HUD repo, 5k in plumbing and electrical in order to get occupancy, 6k for the neighboring lot, 3k to build the garage.) Put in normal maintenance through the years (new roof, new siding, new windows.) Sold for $54k. That’s not a lot of profit for 20 years of ownership and maintenance.

Parts of Philly are overpriced, IMO. Anything in center city is overpriced. I have friends who live 2 blocks off Rittenhouse – the appreciation on their home, since they bought in the late 90’s in truly in bubble territory. Other friends bought in the Art Museum district – again lots of froth and bubbleness. Don’t get me started on Society Hill and Old City. I think it’s pretty likely you could catch

My boss was back in suburban Philly for the past few weeks. He described driving on Old York Rd (611) southbound and realizing he’d crossed into Philly (Germantown area) because there was an INSTANT shift in demographics as crossed Cheltenham Ave into the city.

I love Philly and a lot of the suburbs. I loved living in Glenside (one of the quaint older suburbs north of the city). I love the history and charm of the older architecture. But I would not buy in Philly looking for appreciation. Unless I were buying in one of the not-so-trendy (and less bubbled) areas and had cashflow going.

And it is definitely home to more prejudice than San Diego metro. It’s hard to miss.

One last point – until they fix the wage tax thing – there won’t be a big move back into the city by the folks who fled. The white flight had some racism – but it was also fleeing the wage tax. There’s a reason why many of the suburbs immediately adjacent to Philly have 0% wage tax (Bensalem, Trevose, Cheltenham) It’s to draw in former city residents who work in the burbs. Why pay 4-5% wage tax to live in the city and have crappy schools.

[UCGal]

I have to agree with sdr on several Philly points. My husband was born and raised in Philly – as were his parents. His grandparents emmigrated to South Philly at the beginning of the last century. I lived in the Philly ‘burbs for 11 years.

As a Cali girl moving to Philly metro I was shocked/dismayed by the overt racism in Philly. I would NOT describe it as immigrant friendly if you’re talking about non-European immigrants. If the immigrant’s skin isn’t white… it’s not very friendly. (Irish, Polish, and Italians have long established communities – and the North East has a big Russian community – so it’s friendlier to these groups.)

If you hope to make money in real estate through long term appreciation… don’t hold your breath. My husband bought a home in Frankfurt in the early 80’s (north east) -saw the white flight first hand when the first black family moved in. He sold it after 20 years, after doing significant improvements (like buying the neighboring lot and putting an attached garage on.) It only appreciated 30k in 20 years. (Bought for 10k as a shell – HUD repo, 5k in plumbing and electrical in order to get occupancy, 6k for the neighboring lot, 3k to build the garage.) Put in normal maintenance through the years (new roof, new siding, new windows.) Sold for $54k. That’s not a lot of profit for 20 years of ownership and maintenance.

Parts of Philly are overpriced, IMO. Anything in center city is overpriced. I have friends who live 2 blocks off Rittenhouse – the appreciation on their home, since they bought in the late 90’s in truly in bubble territory. Other friends bought in the Art Museum district – again lots of froth and bubbleness. Don’t get me started on Society Hill and Old City. I think it’s pretty likely you could catch

My boss was back in suburban Philly for the past few weeks. He described driving on Old York Rd (611) southbound and realizing he’d crossed into Philly (Germantown area) because there was an INSTANT shift in demographics as crossed Cheltenham Ave into the city.

I love Philly and a lot of the suburbs. I loved living in Glenside (one of the quaint older suburbs north of the city). I love the history and charm of the older architecture. But I would not buy in Philly looking for appreciation. Unless I were buying in one of the not-so-trendy (and less bubbled) areas and had cashflow going.

And it is definitely home to more prejudice than San Diego metro. It’s hard to miss.

One last point – until they fix the wage tax thing – there won’t be a big move back into the city by the folks who fled. The white flight had some racism – but it was also fleeing the wage tax. There’s a reason why many of the suburbs immediately adjacent to Philly have 0% wage tax (Bensalem, Trevose, Cheltenham) It’s to draw in former city residents who work in the burbs. Why pay 4-5% wage tax to live in the city and have crappy schools.

[UCGal]

Interesting concept… For the airport atms – which side of security are they on… Would you be comfortable putting your freshly bought gold on the conveyor belt for security to x-ray?

[UCGal]

Interesting concept… For the airport atms – which side of security are they on… Would you be comfortable putting your freshly bought gold on the conveyor belt for security to x-ray?

[UCGal]

Interesting concept… For the airport atms – which side of security are they on… Would you be comfortable putting your freshly bought gold on the conveyor belt for security to x-ray?

[UCGal]

Interesting concept… For the airport atms – which side of security are they on… Would you be comfortable putting your freshly bought gold on the conveyor belt for security to x-ray?

[UCGal]

Interesting concept… For the airport atms – which side of security are they on… Would you be comfortable putting your freshly bought gold on the conveyor belt for security to x-ray?

[UCGal]

[quote=Scarlett]

UCGal, I am very sorry to hear that about your family. Could have been a combination of genetics and external factors.[/quote]
I don’t disagree- cancer runs on both sides of the family. I had myself tested for the BRCA gene (negative thank goodness.) It’s slightly worse than 3 out of 5 people dying of cancer. Both my brother and father had 2 separate, unrelated malignancies. My dad beat prostate cancer only to get multiple myeloma 10 years later. My brother beat melanoma, only to get a very aggressive (and obscure) neuroendocrine carcinoma 20 years later. But you’re right – genetics is probably more likely. Small family and 2 cousins (out of 3) have had cancer. 3 of 4 grandparents died of cancer. Lots of indications it’s genetic.

That said – the power lines I pointed to are more than neighborhood lines – they are the main trunks. You can see them on this google map…

View Larger Map

[UCGal]

[quote=Scarlett]

UCGal, I am very sorry to hear that about your family. Could have been a combination of genetics and external factors.[/quote]
I don’t disagree- cancer runs on both sides of the family. I had myself tested for the BRCA gene (negative thank goodness.) It’s slightly worse than 3 out of 5 people dying of cancer. Both my brother and father had 2 separate, unrelated malignancies. My dad beat prostate cancer only to get multiple myeloma 10 years later. My brother beat melanoma, only to get a very aggressive (and obscure) neuroendocrine carcinoma 20 years later. But you’re right – genetics is probably more likely. Small family and 2 cousins (out of 3) have had cancer. 3 of 4 grandparents died of cancer. Lots of indications it’s genetic.

That said – the power lines I pointed to are more than neighborhood lines – they are the main trunks. You can see them on this google map…

View Larger Map

[Author]

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