Living in Philadelphia? With plenty of job opportunities, trendy dining and nightlife, and a great local art scene, it’s no wonder that the City of Brotherly Love is popular among young adults. Here are the five best Philadelphia neighborhoods for singles and young professionals!
Cedar Park
Photo via @rachelharvs
- Home Price: $143,715 median purchase price; $856 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 34% of Philadelphia neighborhoods
Located just west of the University City neighborhood, Cedar Park is one of the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia for undergraduate and graduate students who want quick commutes to the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, and University of the Sciences. It’s also a great spot for recent college grads and young professionals who love the college town vibe but want a change of pace in Quaker City. “If you’ve spent four years in one area, and you don’t want to leave, but [you also] don’t want to pay the price for the convenience of getting to class in ten minutes, move a few blocks away,” said Bob Lynch-Kraley, a real estate agent at New Age Realty Group, who recommends Cedar Park in such situations. Living in the Cedar Park neighborhood is also convenient for those who work in Center City and other areas of West Philadelphia, as the neighborhood has multiple bus stations and stops on the SEPTA light rail system.
Things to Do in Cedar Park
Head to the year-round farmers market, participate in Live Action Role Playing (LARPing), or take your dog for a walk at Clark Park. Venture over to the Institute of Contemporary Art to see modern art and photography exhibits or attend a Mindfulness at the Museum event. Pick up a new helmet and touring bag or invest in a fixed-gear bike at Firehouse Bicycles. Stop by Ice Cave for Taiwanese-shaved ice made from natural ingredients, with flavors like Salted Caramel, Matcha Green Tea, and Strawberry & Milk. Order Indian dishes like Chicken Curry or Lamb Biryani and sip a Mango Lassi at Cedar Park restaurant New Desi Village. Or pair a Love City Lager with the 44 Cheeseburger and Hand Cut Fries at one of the best restaurants in Philadelphia, Local 44—and be sure to check out their weekend brunch menu, too!
Fishtown
Photo via @phlspecial
- Home Price: $254,839 median purchase price; $866 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 46% of Philadelphia neighborhoods
If you’re dreaming of living in one of the coolest neighborhoods in Philadelphia, head to Fishtown! This up-and-coming area is one of the best Philadelphia neighborhoods for young professionals who want to live within walking distance of cozy coffee shops, local boutiques, hip brunch spots, neighborhood bars, and live music venues. “It’s become a go-to spot for bars and coffee shops,” added Lynch-Kraley. According to Lynch-Kraley, Fishtown is also one of the best places to live in Philly if you work north of the city, are looking for a quick commute to Center City, or want easier access to New Jersey. Of course, living in such a trendy Philly neighborhood comes with a higher price tag. Both home prices and rent prices in the Fishtown neighborhood continue to rise with the influx of new residents and businesses. But if you don’t mind moving into a renovated warehouse loft or settling down in a row house with fewer square feet in order to be closer to fun things to do in Philadelphia, then Fishtown, Philadelphia is the perfect place to be!
Things to Do in Fishtown
Attend community events, enjoy a picnic by the river, or go for a bike ride at Penn Treaty Park. See a national touring act at The Fillmore Philadelphia or catch a smaller show on the Foundry stage, located on the second floor. Go shopping to find one-of-a-kind items like a zebra-shaped cookie jar, vintage dresser, or truly unique wall art at Jinxed. Sip a Draft Latte on tap while getting some work done or pick up a bag of freshly-roasted coffee beans at the original La Colombe. Spend the night sitting by the fire pit, playing ping pong, eating a giant pretzel, and trying a variety of German beers at Frankford Hall. Or head to Fishtown bars like Murph’s Bar, an Irish bar where you can indulge in authentic Italian food—like Pear & Cheese Fiocchi, Puttanesca Pasta, or Gnocchi Sorrentino—alongside beer, wine, or cocktails.
Manayunk
Photo via @johno_realestate
- Home Price: $244,671 median purchase price; $977 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 86% of Philadelphia neighborhoods
Looking for one of the best places to live in Philadelphia for young professionals and singles, but don’t want to live in Downtown Philadelphia? Manayunk in Philly could just be the home for you! “It feels like it’s out of town, but it’s still within city limits,” Lynch-Kraley explained. “People love that it’s its own little area.” Being removed from Center City helps Manayunk hold onto its title as one of the safest neighborhoods in Philadelphia. But being on the outskirts of Philly doesn’t mean you’re far away from cool things to do! There are endless Manayunk restaurants, bars, and concerts to check out on any night of the week. Another great part about living in Manayunk is that it’s easier to find more spacious housing at an affordable price. With lofts, apartments, townhomes, row houses, and Victorian-style houses available throughout the area, Manayunk is ideal for both renters and first-time homebuyers!
Things to Do in Manayunk
Head outdoors for the annual Manayunk Arts Festival to see a live concert, shop for jewelry, or snack on something yummy. Explore over 50 miles of wooded trails, go horseback riding on the Forbidden Drive, or spend the day fly fishing at Wissahickon Valley Park. Attend an opera, take a dance class, or rent rehearsal space to start staging your next play at Venice Island Performing Arts & Recreation Center. Find a new date night outfit, pick up a graphic t-shirt, or find quirky earrings at women’s fashion store LILA Philadelphia. Laugh at a comedy show, attend a concert, or take the stage yourself at one of two open mic nights each week—one for comedy and one for music—at The Grape Room. Sample the Veggie Frittata, Surf N’ Turf Cheesesteak, or a Crazy Granny Salad at Winnie’s Manayunk, one of the best restaurants in Manayunk. Or order the Scorpion Dog—a gourmet hot dog loaded with mac and cheese and jalapeños—at Lucky’s Last Chance!
Point Breeze
Photo via @advancephilly
- Home Price: $138,209 median purchase price; $872 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 45% of Philadelphia neighborhoods
Point Breeze is one of the best neighborhoods in Philly for singles and young professionals looking for a convenient location on a budget! Located in South Philly, this neighborhood provides easy access to bus stations and the SEPTA light rail, so commuting into Downtown Philly is quick. If you’re tired of renting, the Point Breeze neighborhood is also an excellent neighborhood for buying a home in Philadelphia. “It’s a great area for first-time homebuyers,” said Jonathan Katz, a Philadelphia real estate agent. “There’s a lot of new construction in the area.” While this South Philadelphia spot used to be a prime destination among locals getting priced out of family-friendly neighborhoods like Bella Vista or Chestnut Hill, Point Breeze in Philly is seemingly on the rise to be the next up-and-coming area. Feeling impatient for more bars and restaurants to sprout up in the meantime? An abundance of amenities and things to do are close by in East Passyunk!
Things to Do in Point Breeze
Stroll through the 22nd & Tasker Farmers Market every Wednesday to pick up fresh produce or check out a cooking demonstration. See a jazz concert or take music classes at The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, a long-standing haven for jazz musicians. Visit Occasionette and grab a card for a wedding, pick up a tarot deck, or buy a new candle for your home. Try dishes at Point Breeze restaurants like Chick’s, where you can order Cannoli Stuffed French Toast for brunch, enjoy a Salmon BLT and a Grapefruit IPA for dinner, or grab a plate of wings on National Chicken Wing Day. Get one of the best cheesesteaks in Philly at Geno’s Steaks—just be ready to wait in line, and be sure to read up on ordering the right way! Or end any night trying one of the 14 beers on tap, get an order of Deviled Eggs, or sip on a Rye Me a River cocktail at the South Philly Tap Room.
Washington Square West
Photo via @jeffreydwright
- Home Price: $481,058 median purchase price; $1,311 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 16% of Philadelphia neighborhoods
An unbeatable location in Center City and a friendly community with tons of local events are what make Washington Square West one of the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia for singles! Located within the neighborhood is the Midtown Village business district (also called “The Gayborhood,” thanks to its lively LGBTQ culture), where you can go shopping, catch a concert, or attend the Midtown Village Fall Festival. Though purchasing a home in Washington Square West, Philadelphia can be on the expensive side, there’s a growing number of rental properties in the neighborhood, as more and more row houses in the area are being converted into affordable apartments. “It’s a hotspot for renters,” Katz said of the local area. Washington Square West in Philly is also an incredibly walkable area with plenty of bike lanes and a perfect transportation score, so getting to work or meeting up with friends on the weekends won’t be hassle.
Things to Do in Washington Square West
Participate in the neighborhood pride and celebrate the largest National Coming Out Day event with drag shows, dancing, and lots of street vendors at the annual Philadelphia OutFest. Hang out in one of over 50 hammocks, stop by for Jazz in the Park, or grab a drink in the beer garden at Spruce Street Harbor Park. Take a guided walking tour of Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens to learn about the folk art, mosaics, and other artwork—or attend Twilight in the Gardens for art workshops and live music. Pop into stores like Bloomingdale’s, Watch Company, and LOFT at The Shops at Liberty Place. Check out Talula’s Garden, a Washington Square West restaurant where you can order artisanal cheese boards and Meatballs al Forno or dive into dinner with Ricotta Ravioli and Pan-Roasted Salmon. Or enjoy snacks, beer, and RuPaul’s Drag Race viewing parties or karaoke nights at Woody’s.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
