I've read about high rise horror stories all over Philadelphia... 222 Church Street isn't a high rise but for what it is, it's really nice.
Pros: Our on-site maintenance staff is friendly and helpful. Our trash areas are always clean (we have a chute) and I can ask for nearly anything from anyone in the building. The apartments are generally well laid out and spacious. I have an open floor plan with high ceilings so while I don't have the most square footage I am happy with the feel of the space. I love the fact that the building is pet friendly and for the most part the residents are respectful. Sweat gym, PSC, and another gym are within a couple blocks. Convenience store on the corner. Lots of security -- it's not easy to get into the building. Neighborhood businesses are around during the day when you're at work to report suspicious activity. Convenient to restaurants, shops, and the Frankford/market L (Subway). I work in center city and I usually walk.
Cons: The area can be REALLY loud especially on Thurs, Fri, and Sat. This includes the increasingly large number of 20 somethings that apparently have no jobs as they are loud and obnoxious during the week. I also have an issue with the increased use of the common areas as trash receptacles (apparently if you finish your Starbucks while getting your mail you can leave it next to the mail kiosk - this is not only rude and disrespectful, it's unfair to our maintenance staff). I am also less than pleased that beer bottles are routinely left in stairways where our residents take their dogs to walk down to the street. One of the MAJOR drawbacks of this building is the extent to which you can hear your neighbors -- wouldn't be much of a problem except for the aforementioned tenants and if I am to attribute the rudeness to stupidity and not maliciousness, sheer number of people that just do not understand city apartment living. I have surmised since I moved here that most of the people in Philadelphia apartments are newly graduate students accustomed to dorm life or people that have moved from the suburbs - as veteran city dweller I admit I can be a bit prickly about noise and personal space.
JMTC
PS to the other reviewer on a different site that referenced rats... I haven't seen any or heard any complaints but being that it's a city, wouldn't be surprised if there are a few lurking about. I've seen the Philadelphia ""rats"" in the subway and they aren't anything I'd call a rat.
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