JJ’s Going to be a Homeowner

12Jun/0616

JJ’s Going to be a Homeowner

Momo and I decided that if we're going to be in Philly for a while, we should probably buy a house. Renting is fine really. It just feels so temporary.

We looked in several different neighborhoods. We opted against the suburbs, and that leaves only a few areas we can afford in Center City - most of which are in transitioning neighborhoods where developers are renovating or rebuilding old abandoned rowhomes and selling them for a profit.

The thing is: it's a great deal, because the neighborhoods are still improving, but you get a nice new or renovated house downtown. So we bought a place that's not quite complete. There's still another month of construction. It's a really nice place and the neighborhood has a lot of potential. Across the street, developers bought several lots and they're planning to build condos.

Here's our place:

garage

It even has a roof deck overlooking the city:

philadelphia skyline

But there may be a problem. I'm not 100% sure our new neighbors are happy about the new construction in the neighborhood. Homeowners on our new block may be psyched to watch the value of their homes increase... On the other hand, criminals are apparently disappointed:

pigstye graffiti

That's the side of my new next-door neighbor's house, which is also under construction. And check out this sign for the new condos across the street:

penis graffiti

Welcome to the neighborhood!

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Tagged as: philly Leave a comment

Comments (16) Trackbacks (1) ( subscribe to comments on this post )

sarah
June 12th, 2006 - 10:06

dude, that’s a nice looking place. and a ROOF DECK? you hit the jackpot there baby. so when’s your housewarming party?
TC
June 12th, 2006 - 12:44

Always nice to be welcomed artistically.

F***ing neighbours.

The roof deck’s good, though!
MacBros
June 12th, 2006 - 12:46

Dude! that place is huge.
Very artistic neighbourhood kids too boot! Such detail, with the veins and all.
A roof deck! Awsome place to sit back and slug a few cold ones down.
The Soviet
June 12th, 2006 - 14:01

gotta love the local artists. i know i have a great appreciation for that art movement!
Ev
June 12th, 2006 - 15:01

Wait..didn’t we get high and vandalize that sign with the cock?
mojotek
June 12th, 2006 - 17:28

It’s awesome to have a roof deck like that! Congratulations on bringing yourself to the rank of “landowner”. May all your serfs be productive and down-trodden!
Sicka13
June 12th, 2006 - 21:13

Ohh fuck, such an awesome view from the roof deck!
Congrats!!
Omnipotent Poobah
June 12th, 2006 - 22:29

If Philly gentrification goes anything like San Francisco gentrification, graffitti will be the “gentle” way they remind you that don’t want you around.
shirley
June 12th, 2006 - 23:30

I’m with Ev – that totally looks like his handiwork… and what a coincidence, he just visited you in Philly. Hmm.
jessica
June 13th, 2006 - 00:08

congrats to you and momo- that’s fantastic!
JJ
June 13th, 2006 - 11:50

Sarah:
Excellent question. We’re moving in about a month… so once we get settled in, Momo and I will definitely invite you guys over.

TC:
“Welcome, neighbor! Here’s a cock for ya!”

MacBros:
Totally. I can’t wait to sit up there, knocking back a few cold ones, as I check out the city skyline at night. Sweet..

Soviet:
I guess young artists have to get their start somewhere.

Ev:
It does sound sorta familiar…. maybe it WAS us… Damn.

Mojotek:
Funny… a buddy and I were just having a conversation about stuff like that. Like the term “landlord.” Seems so medieval.

Sicka13:
Thanks!!

Poobah:
Shit I hope not.

Shirley:
Yep, Ev’s obsessed with cock. You’re right about that.

Jessica:
Thank you!
Marc
June 13th, 2006 - 12:09

Congrats JJ and Momo!
Eddie
June 13th, 2006 - 20:29

That’s so exciting! I wish I had a penis sign in my neighborhood.
j
November 18th, 2006 - 12:32

Nice, look at that gorgeous gentrification you’re moving into.

People who’ve lived on that street for a long time have to move out because of the development.

Oh, and I know who painted that penis.

yuppie scum.
JJ
November 18th, 2006 - 15:05

I understand why you wouldn’t want to live across the street from “luxury townhomes” and I even think the penis graffiti is kind of funny. I didn’t mean to insult you and your friends. In fact, I’m pretty sure we’ve hung out and got along (skateboarding in the street, or at Bob and Barbara’s, or at the house party last weekend).

The neighborhood really is quite beautiful. My understanding was that my house was built on what once was an empty lot. I’d hate to think that they would tear down an historic rowhome to make way for progress, but I would also think that developing an empty lot might actually help the neighborhood.
Julie
November 18th, 2006 - 17:44

Seriously … I appreciate the fact that gentrification brings issues that can displace people from their houses and now that I know my neighbors on webster street, I seriously hope that doesn’t happen to anyone. But clearly, it’s not all that productive to blame individual people who bought homes. Seems like it makes more sense to find out what people have in common and try to develop ties that would benefit everyone in a semi-gentrified neighborhood. As one of the people who moved into the block, I think you’d probably find more empathy here than not about this stuff.