Are you Ready for THE RAW TRUTH, Fishtown?

I received an eye-opening email from a native Fishtown woman. I will call her K. She was delightfully candid about a topic that has been nagging at her. I'd guess that her points are probably eating away at other folks that have lived in Fishtown for many, many years, particularly as they watch their tight-knit community become one of the "hot" Real Estate beds for homeowners to buy and RE investors to invest in. K's comments were real and honest and much appreciated. After reading her email, I realized that what she was writing about was important. Really important and worth discussing.

K's comments were about a genuine concern for the future of her neighborhood and standing up for the integrity and honor of Fishtown. It was awesome and filled with idealism which is a catalyst for change. The biggest of K's concerns were Realtors who are exploiting the recent popularity of Fishtown for their own benefit and that the message that "new people" moving into the neighborhood are hearing are not what is important. New people must also know why Fishtown is great and it is not the Memphis Taproom or Johnny Brenda's or Greens Grow or any new business like that. Fishtown greatness was built on the backs of native Fishtown values.

I read between the lines a little but I think what K was saying is that she thinks Realtors (like us) should take a deeper look at the neighborhood and not just promote the area's new businesses. But to give equal consideration to the beating heart and soul of the neighborhood by discussing long standing landmarks, businesses, and history of the area. K mentioned that "new people" moving into the neighborhood should be made aware of the common values that the Fishtown community shares, such as (but not limited to) clean streets, being a friendly and a courteous neighbor, picking up after pets.  Okay, so those things may not be as glamorous and sexy as a cool new bar or cafe, but let's get real...who wants to walk out of the trendy bar to trip over an unkempt sidewalk just to step in a pile of dog poo then be scowled at by a neighbor? Not me, my friends. And certainly not you.

I will guarantee that there are tens of thousands of other Philadelphians in different neighborhoods that are biting their lip about the changes transpiring in their now "trendy" neighborhoods. Change is all too obvious to these long time residents who were there in the neighborhood long before we Realtors said it was the cool place to live. Like K said, "Please be reminded, Fishtown was great before and will remain so..."

I got your message loud and clear, K. As Realtors and bloggers, we should consider talking about what makes a community great. But we don't know it all. So, I hope people will read our blog and share some information that they know and love about their neighborhood.

By the way:

1) In Philadelphia, there is a fine for not picking up after your dog, so beware.
2) Landlords and homeowners: trash day is only 1 day out of the week and there is a hefty fine that you will get for trash left out any other day.
3) There is no fine for not saying hello to your neighbor, but do it anyway. This is the City of Brotherly Love, you know.

Thank you, K, for your letter. I hope you read this in the good spirit in which it was written.