Thinking of renting in Philadelphia? Residents can enjoy delicious international eats, peruse diverse art galleries and museums, and tour iconic historical sites in one of America’s oldest cities, which are all easily accessible with extensive public transportation options. Here are the five best neighborhoods in Philadelphia for renting!
Fairmount
Photo via @omegahomebuilders
- Home Price: $1,289 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 75% of Philadelphia neighborhoods
- Renter-Occupied Homes: 61%
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families
Stay close to Center City but escape the noise in one of the most affordable and safest neighborhoods in Philadelphia: Fairmount! Also known as Philadelphia’s art museum area, you’ll find notable locations like The Met Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which is famous for the iconic steps from the 1976 film Rocky. This Philly neighborhood is also known for two unique firsts in America: the first city watershed at Fairmount Water Works and the first penitentiary, Eastern State Penitentiary—both of which offer tours. Fairmount is a walker’s paradise, easily bikeable, and accessible from the rest of the city with US-76, US-676, and PA-611—and SEPTA bus and trolley routes nearby. With such a centralized position, this quaint Philly neighborhood offers young professionals and families plenty of restaurants, kid-friendly activities, and nearby Philadelphia schools—like Laura Wheeler Waring Public School, The City School, and Benjamin Franklin High School.
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Things to Do in Fairmount
Wow your kids with exhibits like Space Command, Tech Studio, and Harry Potter: The Exhibition at The Franklin Institute. View delicately-carved statues for an upscale Philadelphia date night at the Rodin Museum, or Southwest Native art at the Barnes Foundation. Stroll through the parks along the Schuylkill River, like Azalea Garden, Boathouse Row, and Paine’s Park. Go on a tour to see Philadelphia street art with Mural Arts Philadelphia. Caffeinate yourself with delicious drinks like the Campfire Latte, Lavender Honey Latte, and Strawberry Lemonade Lotus at Bold Coffee Bar. Grab a Philly sandwich, Napa panini, or Hampton Salad and play some shuffleboard at Rye Brew. Chow down on Snow Crab Legs, Fried Shrimp Po’boy, and Cajun Fries at Crab Du Jour Philly. Enjoy authentic Greek food in Philadelphia, like stuffed Dolmades, a Rack of Lamb Chops Charcoaled, Yeero, and more at Zorba’s Tavern!
Manayunk
Photo via @crystaldrealtor
- Home Price: $977 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 86% of Philadelphia neighborhoods
- Renter-Occupied Homes: 50%
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families
Find small-town charm along the banks of the Schuylkill River in Manayunk, with cozy townhomes, unique rowhouses, and Modern brownstone apartments surrounded by walkable, tree-lined streets. Known as a close-knit Philadelphia neighborhood, Manayunk offers a variety of community events like Out & About in MNYK and Manayunk Arts Festival—in addition to being a locally-owned shopping district and recreation-focused area! This Northwest Philadelphia neighborhood contains some of the best elementary schools in Philadelphia for kids to attend, including James Dobson Elementary School and Cook-Wissahickon Elementary School, along with other great options like AMY Northwest Middle School nearby. Plus, because of its reputation as a nightlife haven and one of the safest areas in Philadelphia, Manayunk is one of the best Philly neighborhoods for singles and young professionals.
Things to Do in Manayunk
Attend a community production or let your kids play at the Venice Island Performing Arts & Recreation Center! Wander through Manayunk Main St for countless local eateries and shops, like The Little Apple Gift Boutique, The Spiral Bookcase, and Pet Friendly Dog Bakery. Purchase local artists’ paintings or read their poetry at the Manayunk Art Center. Attend seasonal events like the Streat Food Festival or the farmers market in Pretzel Park—which also features a modern playground and spacious dog park! Start your day with a Smoked Salmon Panini, Bacon Panini, Volo Toast, and canal views at Volo Coffeehouse. Fill up on a Scorpion Dog or Peace, Love & Veggie Burger and wash it down with the Dark & Stormy cocktail at Lucky’s Last Chance. Try Tibetan dishes like Tsamthuk, traditional Momo Dumplings, and Pingsha at the White Yak. Dine on made-from-scratch gourmet pierogies like Honey Sriracha Chicken and Loaded Baked Potato at The Pierogi Kitchen. Or spend a night on the town with drinks like The Garnet and Cherry Blossom, and sharable meals like the Street Corn Skillet and Main Street Poutine at Manayunk Brewing Company.
Northern Liberties
Photo via @the_magnet_philly_
- Home Price: $866 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 46% of Philadelphia neighborhoods
- Renter-Occupied Homes: 48%
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families
Northern Liberties offers the best of urban living in Philadelphia—you can easily walk to some of the best restaurants in Philly, quickly commute to Center City and Old City, or take advantage of the Septa trolley‘s public transit lines—though most residents bike everywhere! Plus, Northern Liberties offers families quality Philadelphia high schools like Quadrat Academy, the Career and Academic Development Institute, and Bodine High School for International Affairs. That said, many residents are drawn to NoLibs because of its history. Inspiring the Philadelphia nickname, “Athens of America,” NoLibs residents in the 90s set the stage for the neighborhood to become an economic and cultural hub in Philly. Now, the narrow streets of the once abandoned industrial district are packed with an eclectic mix of historical rowhouses and brownstones alongside sleek, Contemporary apartments—as well as bars, local shops, entertainment, and more on nearly every block!
Things to Do in Northern Liberties
Soak in the sun at Liberty Lands Park, a privately-owned but community-maintained area, complete with community gardens, a playground, and annual events. Attend events like plant sales, an art summer camp, mural exhibitions, and more with the eco-conscious Northern Liberties Neighbors Association. See statues, murals, light displays, and more throughout Northern Liberties while on the self-guided street art tour curated by a local resident. Dance your heart out on a cozy, house-party-sized dance floor with regular weekend DJs at The 700 sports bar. Dine at Dolce&Caffè, an Italian espresso bar, which serves Siciliana Breakfast Sandwiches, Cannoli Crepes, and Nutella Lattes. Bring the Bento Box lunch special to work or stop by for the Deluxe Sashimi Sushi Bar, Shoyu Ramen, and more at Seiko Japanese Restaurant. Order New American dishes like Blackened Salmon & Eggs, Chorizo & Queso Pizza, or Vegan Fried Mozz at Bourbon & Branch, a decommissioned church-turned-restaurant. Chow down on a Wild Mushroom Quesadilla, Spanish Rock Octopus entree, and Lamb Chops Al Carbon at Añejo Philadelphia. Or find global dishes like Frog Legs, Okonomiyaki, Margaux’s Chocolate Cupcakes, and more in a “friends and family atmosphere” at KenLoves BYOB!
Rittenhouse Square
Photo via @renata.michelle
- Home Price: $1,469 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 21% of Philadelphia neighborhoods
- Renter-Occupied Homes: 66%
- Perfect For: Families, retirees
A neighborhood in Center City, Rittenhouse Square is conveniently close to top-notch restaurants, bars, art galleries, historical sites, and cultural events in Philadelphia. One of the best parts about living in Rittenhouse Square is the annual Rittenhouse Row Festival, which features fashion, food, shopping, and live entertainment for the local community—and over 50,000 visitors! Thanks to its location, Rittenhouse Square is near Philly’s Gayborhood (which offers Philadelphia residents plenty of LGBTQ-focused events for everyone), is the most walkable Philadelphia neighborhood, and home of Rittenhouse Square park—a popular relaxation spot with ornate statues, peaceful fountains, and beautiful flowers. The beauty doesn’t stop there in this inclusive neighborhood, with brownstone apartments and Italianate and Victorian homes available for residents looking to rent a home in Philadelphia.
Things to Do in Rittenhouse Square
Discover a vibrant hub for the performing arts while strolling down Broad St, also known as the Avenue of the Arts. Catch flicks from local filmmakers, plus classics and independent films, at the Philadelphia Film Center, or have a night of classical music at the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia. Examine the private letters and works of famous authors like Emily Dickinson, and over 300,000 rare books and documents in the historical library at The Rosenbach. Create your own hilarious routine with Comedy 101 classes or bust your gut laughing at the Helium Comedy Club! Delve into an international spread of meats, cheeses, coffee, and wine at the gourmet, European-style marketplace: Di Bruno Bros. Test out tasty eats like Grilled Wild Shrimp Tacos with a Cucumber Lemongrass Sangria, or sample their extensive list of Agave shots at Mission Taqueria. Try traditional and modern Jewish soul food like Latke Fries, Rye Crusted Cod, and Kasha Varnishkes alongside unique cocktails and amazing wine at Abe Fisher.
University City
Photo via @cityblockteam
- Home Price: $811 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 14% of Philadelphia neighborhoods
- Renter-Occupied Homes: 67%
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
This Philadelphia neighborhood is perfect for University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University students—especially for young professionals entering the healthcare industry, thanks to several medical campuses populating the area. University City’s access to some of the most prominent colleges in Philadelphia also comes with having your pick of entertainment, museums, and nightlife! University City is exceptionally pedestrian-friendly, with 30 miles of bike lanes, bus and subway routes, quick rides to Philadelphia suburbs, and flights from the Philadelphia International Airport via Septa’s Regional Rail. Plus, long-distance travelers can utilize the third busiest Amtrak station in the U.S. at 30th Street Station! Residents can find affordable houses for rent in Philadelphia near a dozen University City parks and public green spaces, including historical Queen Anne and Victorian rowhouses and townhomes. Or opt for a University City apartment with brownstone or modern out-fittings.
Things to Do in University City
Catch the Penn Quakers (NCAA) play at The Palestra or cheer on the track and football teams on the historical, intricately-designed Franklin Field. Spend your lunch break in Warden Garden and enjoy live music during regular Garden Jams at the Penn Museum, or go on exhibit tours like The Stories We Wear and The Artifact Lab. Try your hand at fencing in all-age introductory classes at the Fencing Academy of Philadelphia. Share Spicy Pork Soup Dumplings, Beef Stuffed Scallion Pancakes, Truffle Edamame Dumplings, and more Cantonese and Shanghai classics at Dim Sum House. Grab an authentic Mexican bite to eat like Al Pastor Burritos, Veggie Tortas, and more at the Tacos Don Memo food truck. Pig out on some Candied Bacon, Crispy Smoked Drumsticks, and Cajun Catfish Sandwiches at Baby Blues BBQ. Win some trivia, enjoy the friendly happy hour, and throw back Ireland-imported drafts or cocktails like the Philly Martini and 96oz Mega Mule at New Deck Tavern, a popular student hangout spot. Or enjoy seasonal dishes—like Kennett Square Mushroom Soup, Burrata Salad, and Spicy Lamb Bolognese—featuring ingredients from local, organic farms at White Dog Cafe.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
