the right side of the tracks

the right side of the tracks

A part of a town or city that is wealthier or better off than other parts (and is usually safer or more desirable as a result). "Tracks" refers to railroad tracks, which are sometimes thought of as demarcating different economic areas of a town. Just because you're family grew up on the right side of the tracks doesn't make you better than me! His mother only wanted him dating girls from the right side of the tracks.
See also: of, right, side, track
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

right side of the tracks

The desirable part of town, as in They were relieved to learn that his fiancée came from the right side of the tracks. This expression alludes to the fact that when a railroad ran through a town, it often divided the prosperous neighborhoods from the poor ones. The latter district was called the wrong side of the tracks, as in The children from the wrong side of the tracks often came to school without having eaten breakfast . Today these terms are considered snobbish. [Second half of 1800s]
See also: of, right, side, track
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • right side of the tracks
  • side of the tracks
  • the other side of the tracks
  • the wrong side of the tracks
  • wrong side of the tracks
  • wrong side of the tracks, the
  • other side of the tracks
  • in (one's) tracks
  • in tracks
  • make tracks, to
References in periodicals archive
Equality Trust's Duncan Exley said: "It's incredible to think being born in the wrong postcode can mean dying almost a decade before those born on the right side of the tracks."
YOU LIVE LONGER IN THE LEBANON
"Some of the young men he has coached have been referred to him by the police, who thought that getting them into boxing under his tutelage would keep them on the right side of the tracks."
TO BE FRANK, MY DAD'S A BIT OF A HERO; GREAT SCOTS COMMUNITY BOXING COACH HAILED; Daughter salutes dedication of gym boss
18 Three unconnected New York police officers struggle to stay on the right side of the tracks in Brooklyn.
AT THE MOVIES
A former Catholic altar boy of Puerto-Rican descent, Ruiz was kept on the right side of the tracks during an impoverished childhood by his ferocious mum Gladys.
Mum gave me anger I need to be world champ; COUNTDOWN TO HAYE V RUIZ: 2 DAYS TO GO
I'd clearly moved to the right side of the tracks, it turned out.
Feed your soul
Who knows what Davina will do." With its two swimming pools, tennis court and paddock, the eight-bed mansion in Sussex is certainly on the right side of the tracks but Davina has already been seen using a helicopter.
The next train will be McCalling at Davina's house.
Ben Robinson from Knowle-basd ISIS Media chose to work in Lozells with The Young Disciples, a group which tries to help teenagers to keep on the right side of the tracks.
Positive focus on inner city children; CAMPAIGN: Short film in bid to keep youngsters out of trouble
At the rally, Obama told the story of how Stanley married a young woman from the right side of the tracks and how their daughter married a man from Kenya, who left her a young single mother whose son is running for president.
For Democrats this year, anger is out
SOURCE: "The Right Side of the Tracks: Affluent Neighborhoods in the Metropolitan United States" by Barrett A.
East egg moves west
It is true she may not be from the right side of the tracks but she got there all the same.
You're well rid of him, Britney
Described as a cross between "The Beverly Hillbillies" and "The Simpsons," "Los Roldans " focuses on a poor family that lands on the right side of the tracks when an heiress puts her father in charge of her business empire.
Argentina: ideas del Sur looks to build on rags-to-riches sitcom success
After Saturday's trip to Crewe - the Railwaymen who have found themselves on the right side of the tracks as far as City are concerned - Lawrence's men head into the uncertain world of the play-offs.
Football: GOING UP IS STILL A REAL PROSPECT; Cardiff City ..................0 Wigan Athletic..............0: Battling Bluebirds hold champions to claim plaay-off place but Earnie still waits for record
"Then they built the Long Island Expressway, and it was suddenly the right side of the tracks."
Reflections on a half century of Nassau development
She said: "People probably think I am or can be mild–mannered, the right side of the tracks, the good side of things.
THERE'S BEEN A MURDER ..AND I DID IT; TAGGART ACTRESS ON SWAPPING SIDES TO STAR AS JAILBIRD ON STAGE; Blythe Duff on tough cell block thriller