Thinking about buying a home in Philadelphia? With plenty of green space, top-rated schools, historical attractions, trendy restaurants, and more, it’s easy to see why someone would want to settle down in the City of Brotherly Love. Here are the top five places to buy a house in Philly!
Chestnut Hill
Photo via @myplacephilly
- Home Price: $432,092 median purchase price
- Crime Rate: Safer than 96% of Philadelphia neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Known as Philadelphia’s Garden District, the Chestnut Hill neighborhood is a fantastic place to buy a home in Philly, thanks to its large estate-style homes, Victorian townhouses, and restored twin homes. Families in the area have a great selection of private schools to choose from like Springside Chestnut Hill Academy and Norwood-Fontbonne Academy, plus higher education opportunities at nearby Chestnut Hill College. In addition, Chestnut Hill offers great amenities like local parks, antique stores, coffee shops, and eateries along Germantown Ave, as well as community events like Chestnut Hill on Ice, Petapalooza, Witches & Wizards Festival, and Annual Straw Maze!
Things to Do in Chestnut Hill
Plan a visit to University of Pennsylvania‘s Morris Arboretum, where you can take a self-guided tour of the native trees, garden areas, sculptures, and more. See the works of local Philadelphia artists or sign up for an art class at the Woodmere Art Museum. Become a member at the Philadelphia Cricket Club and take part in activities like golf, tennis, cricket, or pickleball. Shop for vintage vinyl records, CDs, concert posters, and more at Hideaway Music. Start your day with an Iced Americano and an Almond Croissant from Chestnut Hill Coffee Co. Grab a bite to eat at Cake and try the Quinoa Salad, Philly Cheesesteak Marsala, or Cajun Chicken Wrap. Sample Latin-fusion bites like Korean Steak Tacos, Mole Chicken Wings, and Carne Guisada at El Poquito. Or gather with friends to enjoy brews like the Galactic Loosey IPA and munch on Sweet Heat Neapolitan Pizza at Chestnut Hill Brewing Company.
East Falls
Photo via @keepitrealestatephilly
- Home Price: $215,870 median purchase price
- Crime Rate: Safer than 77% of Philadelphia neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
If you love the great outdoors, East Falls may be the perfect home for you! This Northwest Philly neighborhood is surrounded by massive green spaces like Fairmount Park and Wissahickon Valley Park. On top of that, the area is home to amazing schools like Philadelphia Hebrew Public Charter School, William Penn Charter School, Thomas Jefferson University East Falls Campus, and Drexel University College of Medicine. Plus, this Philly neighborhood is just a 15-minute drive or a quick 20-minute trek on the SEPTA Regional Rail from East Falls Station into City Center. If you’re wanting to buy a budget-friendly townhouse, brick rowhouse, or classic Colonial in a safe neighborhood in Philadelphia, be sure to take a look at East Falls!
Things to Do in East Falls
Go for an afternoon bike ride on the Schuylkill River Trail. Schedule a tee time or take a golf lesson at Walnut Lane Golf Club. Watch a community theatre production or enroll the kids in the Children’s Arts Program at Old Academy Players. Shop for locally grown produce and handmade goods at East Falls Farmers’ Market. Choose from treats like the Chocolate Pecan, Butter Almond, or Ruby Chocolate Cherry Cookies at The Famous 4th Street Cookie Company. Chow down on healthy vegan eats like Smoky Pho, Lucky Curry, and Kimchi Tacos at Terron Kitchen. Savor homestyle cooking like Chicken Pot Pie or Jambalaya at LeBus East Falls. Or find your new favorite craft brew like the Liquid Hips Hazy IPA, Crumble Oreo Porter, or Quelle Hefeweizen at Wissahickon Brewing Co.
Fairmount-Spring Garden
Photo via @cattawa87
- Home Price: $320,109 median purchase price
- Crime Rate: Safer than 75% of Philadelphia neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals
Looking to purchase a home in a hip Philly neighborhood? Check out colorful Fairmount-Spring Garden! Often referred to as the Art Museum Area, Fairmount-Spring Garden is home to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Rodin Museum, and many other museums within walking distance. And because it’s only ten minutes away from Center City, residents are close to other top Philadelphia attractions like The Rocky Steps and Liberty Bell. Fairmount Ave, one of the neighborhood’s main streets, is bursting with popular cafes and restaurants, and the homes in the neighborhood range from classic brick townhouses to gorgeous Victorian rowhouses.
Things to Do in Fairmount-Spring Garden
Let the lit-up views of Boathouse Row illuminate your morning run along the Schuylkill River. Take a walking tour with Mural Arts Philadelphia to see Philly street art. Visit Eastern State Penitentiary to explore the former prison and see Al Capone’s cell. Get tickets to see musicians like Alicia Keys and comedians like Iliza Shlesinger at The Met Philadelphia. Drink your morning coffee at Coffee Cream & Dreams while eating some fresh Beignets or Zucchini Bread. Dig into the Fried Scallop Basket, Crab Meat Po’Boy, and other seafood eats at Crab Du Jour Philly. Head to SOUTH for live jazz music and Southern bites like the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, Fried Green Tomato Caesar Salad, and Backyard BBQ Short Rib Mac. Order the Bacon & Fig Guacamole, Blackened Mahi Tacos, or Chorizo Fundido at Cantina Feliz. Or try house-brewed beer like the Gunter Kolsch and specialty cocktails like the Disco Gin-Ferno at Bar Hygge.
Queen Village
Photo via @therosenthalgroup
- Home Price: $218,266 median purchase price
- Crime Rate: Safer than 63% of Philadelphia neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals
Nestled in historic South Philadelphia is Queen Village! This area is right on the Delaware River, sits just outside of Center City, and has a tight-knit community feel. Renovated rowhouses with Federal-style details, newly constructed lofts, and a variety of eclectic restaurants have been popping up throughout this Philly neighborhood, thanks to some revitalization efforts. And if you’re looking for somewhere to explore, South Street is full of unique shops, food, art galleries, and entertainment. As far as accessibility goes, Queen Village is in a fairly walkable part of Philadelphia, but if you need to travel outside of the neighborhood, you’re right next to I-95, and SEPTA offers plenty of bus stops, too.
Things to Do in Queen Village
Check out Fabric Row on South 4th St for all of your fabric, vintage, and fashion needs! Shop handmade home goods, clothing, and jewelry from Moon + Arrow. Get lost in Repo Records‘ collection of new and used vinyl. Attend concerts featuring musicians like Saint Motel, Chris Lane, Bea Miller, and more at Theatre of Living Arts. Start the day off strong with a Maple Rosemary Latte and Breakfast Tacos at Red Hook Coffee & Tea. Try a classic Philly Cheesesteak at Jim’s South Street. Fill up on pasta dishes like Creste di Gallo with a glass of Bella Vita Pinot Grigio at Cry Baby Pasta. Treat your taste buds to the Grilled Rosemary Lamb Chop, Sweet & Spicy Salmon, or Felly Burger at Felly Bistro on Pass. Or enjoy a night out while sipping on creative cocktails like the Pickletini, Pop Rocket, and Fortune Fish at Tattooed Mom.
Roxborough
Photo via @d_omo
- Home Price: $229,678 median purchase price
- Crime Rate: Safer than 79% of Philadelphia neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Roxborough in Northwest Philly has a quieter, more suburban feel but still offers big-city excitement, thanks to its local art centers, shops, and nightlife. This Philadelphia neighborhood is full of natural beauty with many parks and Schuylkill River bordering the area, and you’ll have plenty of unique housing options to choose from, including spacious Mid-Century Modern homes, historic rowhouses, and charming single-family bungalows. Also, families in Roxborough will appreciate being close to top-rated schools like James Dobson Elementary School, Green Woods Charter School, and Roxborough High School.
Things to Do in Roxborough
Visit the Environmental Art Gallery, hike over three miles of trails, or spend some time in the Sensory Garden at The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education. Watch a movie in the park, attend a concert, or have a family picnic at Gorgas Park. Reserve a time slot at The Basement Board Game Cafe and choose from over 700 board games to play. Have photo-worthy brunch meals like the 4 Egg Pizza, Waffle & Wings, or Creme Brulee French Toast at Taylor’s Cafe. Taste elevated Eastern European eats like the Broad Street Pierogies, Blueberry Brie Wrap, or Kielbasa & Kraut Plate at The Pierogie Kitchen. Switch it up for dinner with Tibetan food from White Yak, where you can try Chicken Momo, Pingsha, and Vegetable Beef Shatrak. Hang out at Union Tap House and order a Philly Mule with some French Onion Fries. Or give in to your sweet tooth with Pineapple Dole Whip Soft Serve, Black Raspberry Ice Cream, or a Swedish Fish Water Ice at C&C Creamery.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
