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Neighborhood Guide: What Are The Best Philadelphia Neighborhoods to Live In?

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A feel for a day in the life of what you can call “Home Sweet Home.”

The team of Philadelphia realtors at Maxwell Realty Company has valuable insider information about Philly from our experience as residents and has put together some superb tips from our new and seasoned homeowners.  The feel, the tastes, and the charms that make our Philadelphia neighborhoods “home” will give you the confidence to make a real “home run”!

Here are our three of the best Philadelphia neighborhoods, and why we and our residents love calling them “HOME.”

1) Rittenhouse Square

“Popular…luxurious…trend-setting…high-end living…the place to be seen…hip…chique…elegant…”

Rittenhouse Square is the place to see and be seen: an urban oasis in the middle of the city, and a place to relax and take in its beauty.  One of city founder William Penn’s original squares, Rittenhouse is surrounded by luxury hotels and residences, and is a must for shopping, socializing, people watching, and amazing dining experiences.  To live in Rittenhouse is to live in the limelight of the high-end Philadelphia experience, with all the bells and whistles to be had.

WHERE…

The Rittenhouse neighborhood’s boundaries are 15th Street to 24th Street (east to west), and Samson Street to South Street (north to south).

TRANSPORTATION IS CONVENIENT AND PLENTIFUL…

Located close to the “French Quarter” and Business District, it is easy to access all modes of public transportation from the prime real estate area — the Rittenhouse neighborhood. Four different SEPTA bus lines run along Walnut Street, east to west. On 16th and 20th Streets, you can catch northbound buses; on 17th and 19th Streets, you can ride the southbound bus — all public transportation, very affordable.

SEPTA Regional Rail Lines are available at Suburban Station (where you can connect to 30th Street Station). It is about a ten-minute walk from Rittenhouse Square, accessible at 17th and JFK Blvd.  30th Street Station makes connections to New York and D.C., to name a few.

The New Jersey PATCO is accessible at 16th and Locust Streets, just two blocks from Rittenhouse Square.

The SEPTA subway systems are accessible at 19th and Market (west and eastbound) or Broad and Locust (north and southbound).

The Schuylkill River Trail runs north to south and is a beautiful place to walk, run, or bike, should you choose to access 30th Street Station or the Art Museum and Fairmount area.

MORNING DIGS…

While you are trying to catch the bus or train for your morning commute, morning coffee choices are fortunately abundant in Rittenhouse. Here are a few Rittenhouse coffee spots that we hold near and dear to our hearts.

SHOPPING…

Midday, Rittenhouse Square boasts crowds of people enjoying the shopping experience that the neighborhood has to offer. Here are a few gems that stand out to us, always:

Looking for groceries?  Head to Di Bruno Bros. for charcuterie, and the GIANT flagship supermarket is a ten-minute walk away, along the Schuylkill Riverwalk trail (Parking is available). The store is huge, and we will not have to send you anywhere else because they have everything!

LUNCHTIME IN STYLE ON FABULOUS RITTENHOUSE SQUARE…

After shopping and people-watching, a little pick-me-up is always good.  Expended energy means lunch in the prime location, with the prime views, and the prime meals!  Here are a few of not only our favorites…they are adored far and wide.

Rouge, 205 S. 18th Street, is a Rittenhouse Park-side eatery with all the views and a menu for the seafarer and the carnivore.  The Rouge Burger.  No brainer.  It has been feasted upon and gossiped about since 1998 — need we say more?

Di Bruno Bros., 1730 Chestnut Street, is the flagship location of its fellow shops — a European-style market offering imported and local charcuterie, prepared foods, baked goods, wines, and beers, to name a few.  Locals come here to find gourmet items to construct a picnic basket for sitting on the green and basking in the sun just around the corner in Rittenhouse Square.  Join us and be the local!

LIBATIONS AND RITTENHOUSE SOCIALIZING…

Meeting a friend?  An evening romantic drink?  Looking to get some work done with a glass of wine?  Oh, do you have some hard decisions to make…there are just so many desirables.  We have tried to narrow it down for you…but you get the picture. Rittenhouse is very social, and fabulous, and there are decisions to be made!  Have a drink at…

PERFORMING ARTS IN RITTENHOUSE…

The Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey Place, hosts two theater spaces and has play readings and performances.  Lots of original works to check out!

Koresh Dance Company, 2002 Rittenhouse Square, offers jazz, ballet, modern dance, and hip-hop classes.  Performances are announced on-site and off-site, bi-annual seasons – truly talented troupe and tour all over the world.

The Curtis Institute of Music, 1726 Locust Street, is a private conservatory offering degrees in music and opera.  Student showcases are held regularly for free of charge — support the arts with your presence and attend beautiful demonstrations of the classics (free of charge)!

 DINNER IN THE LAP OF LUXURY…

Without further ado, there is dinner.  Dinner with friends.  Dinner with family. Dinner with a colleague.  Dinner with a loved one.  Dinner with a blind date.  Dinner with your Philly realtor at Maxwell Realty Company, because you just cannot get enough, and you need to seal the deal.  You name it, Rittenhouse Square embraces it — and these are not to be missed.

 DESSERT AND WHERE TO RUN IT OFF…

Grab your ice cream dish or cone at Van Leeuwen Ice Cream. With vegan options alike, some of the best ice cream is right here.  Well-deserved!

The Schuylkill River Walk is a great place to make a commute to work, or to work off your ice cream indulgences.  It connects to Kelly Drive and to the beautiful boat house row.  Access points are steps away from Rittenhouse Square.

With superior shopping, dining, and arts options, Rittenhouse Square residents enjoy high-end homes in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia, with an easy commute and a rich, on-going calendar of local events.  Living in the middle of this urban oasis affords easy commute options and an endless array of choices to make for recreation, dining, and entertainment.

2) OLD CITY NEIGHBORHOOD

“Nostalgic…romantic…charming…quaint…artsy…”

The charm of cobblestone streets, cafes, art galleries, boutique shops, and a thriving nightlife make Old City an amazing place to call home.  Coffee shops, dog parks, ice cream shops, and people watching…all the makings of a storybook-feel of a neighborhood.  “America’s most historic square mile” blends the perfect amount of old and new, with 23 new businesses and a record-breaking amount of residential growth just this past year!  Young adults, retirees, new families — there is something for everyone.  Yes, it has the magical feel of a much-desired enchanted neighborhood.

 WHERE…

Move and groove around the historic streets of Old City starting from Walnut Street to Vine Street (North to South), and from 7th Street to Delaware Avenue (East to West).

TRANSPORTATION MADE EASY…

Grab a cup of coffee, pass by the storefronts opening for business, and access your morning route to work easily!

Affordable SEPTA bus routes (6 of them!) run throughout Old City, just steps away from all residences.  Sip a cup of coffee while getting ready to access all points of interest throughout the city.

For more of an expedited trip (late for work, got to get home before the kids, etc.) SEPTA’s subway rails are accessible by their station hubs within a mile’s distance, and you have a few choices: 5th Street Independence Hall Station, 2nd Street Station, and Spring Garden Station. All are conveniently nearby — a short walk.

NJ transit PATCO High Speed Line and 30th Street Station (with trains to NY, D.C., and many more) are easily accessible via our bus routes.

MORNING JAVA AND DIGS…

If you are on foot, a morning walk to work is beautiful. As you pass by the warm ambiance of Old City’s lovely streets, you may venture in one of our favorite breakfast/morning spots:

OLD CITY AND ITS ART GALLERIES…

Now for the FUN!  This historical gem of a neighborhood is often celebrated with the ARTS!  First Fridays in Old City are celebrated with open art galleries, wine, music, and live entertainment.  There are some amazing artisans, galleries, and entertainment not to be missed!

Invite your friends over, raise your glasses and toast your new homestead!  Show off the new art on your walls, and on First Fridays you all can have a second glass admiring your neighboring gallery art.   It is just a short walk to show off your neighborhood’s fabulous art.

A MIDDAY SNACK OR LUNCH IS ALWAYS NEARBY…

 OLD CITY’S LIVE ENTERTAINMENT RESONATES…

The Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd Street, is a quick two-minute walk away from Betsy Ross’s home and offers theatre and classes for children and adults.

The Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine Street, is a staple and an amazing, diverse venue, where you can catch a comedy show, a poetry slam, theatre, music, to name a few.

FringeArts, 140 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd., gives every a little bit of everything — theatre, dance, music…innovative performances, great acoustics. It also hosts the infamous Fringe Festival every Fall.

Finally, there is the historical Christ Church that hosts services, theatre space, and is surrounded by benches to entice anyone who loves to people watch.  A large dog park overlooks Market Street. Walk across the street and get the best ice cream in town at Franklin Fountain!  You can work off your sweet treats with a run, walk, or bike ride by the nearby waterfront at Penn’s Landing, or across the Ben Franklin Bridge (pedestrian access points are available)!

OLD CITY DINING…

Dining with friends or entertaining a romantic rendezvous is a no-brainer in Old City.  There are so many choices we love…the best way to discriminate is according to the vibe: casual and no-frills; intimate and atmospheric; social and vibrant nightlife; and elegant and charming.

A few of ours and locals’ favorites:

OLD CITY SHOPPING…

When you have had your heart’s content with all of these festivities, browsing some Old City shops can be just the thing to do, before retiring to your newfound home.  There are so many – flower shops, stationery shops, pet specialty shops, and clothing shops.  There are also wonderful furniture and lighting boutiques, too (no trouble finding Its furnishings; ideas are everywhere!  Here are some of our favorite shops:

For a larger grocery list, the new Riverwards Produce will soon be opening on N. Bread Street – it is highly anticipated!

Our residents relish being in Philadelphia’s oldest part of the city, where its original artisans paved the way to keep a long-lasting impression of the feel of this neighborhood.  Close to transportation, entertainment, restaurants, shops, and the Delaware Waterfront — Penns‘ Landing — for a walk, bike ride or a run, it is a wonderful place to call “HOME.”

3) WASHINGTON SQUARE WEST NEIGHBORHOOD

“Historical…old-world charm…majestic…hauntingly beautiful…shop-packed streets…vibrant nightlife”

Washington Square West is home to Washington Square Park, Independence Mall, Old City, Society Hill, Antique Row, and the LGBT neighborhood.  The oldest hospital in America, Pennsylvania Hospital, boasts its beautiful facade on Pine Street.  Washington Square Park serves as a gateway to the Washington Square West and Society Hill neighborhoods, and it is brimming with commercial and residential rentals, street-line shops, and charm.  Living in Washington Square West is convenient for commuters and is a prime location to wine, dine, shop, and relish in living amongst the founding fathers’ landmarks.  We, here at Maxwell Realty, call it home.

 WHERE…

Washing Square West inhabits 7th and Broad Streets (from east to west), and Chestnut and South Streets (from north to south).

TRANSPORTATION STEPS AWAY…

Many residents are professionals who walk to Thomas Jefferson Hospital, Pennsylvania Hospital, the Fashion District, to name a few…however, getting around is no problem in this part of town- whether you’re off to New York for a weekend getaway or just taking a quick trip across town.

Jefferson Station is a hub for SEPTA’s transportation lines — you can connect here to 30th Street Station and take the local routes as well.  There is even a connection to the airport!

NJ bus routes are nearby, should you be commuting to and from New Jersey.

The Market-Frankfort Line, known as “the El,” is accessible and makes moving East and West along Market Street a snap.

Cutting through Washington Square Park across town on foot or bike makes for a scenic route and getting around town quickly.

GETTING YOUR MORNING STARTED…

This neighborhood gives you so many options – there is no wrong turn to be made!  We resisted adding ten more names…needless to say, you have options!

SHOPPING FOR ART, ANTIQUES, JEWELS …

And we must include groceries! ACME, 1001 South Street and Whole Foods, 929 South Street are great choices.

AND OUR MIDDAY/LUNCHTIME GEMS…

This a hard one.  There is so much to choose from…everyone praises these (you will, too!):

ART AND ENTERTAINMENT IN WASHINGTON SQUARE WEST…

Not only is the theater nearby, but there are plenty of festivals throughout this area, and block parties on the weekends for a selection of events.  A for-sure ticket can be had here:

 WORK IS DONE…DINNER AND DRINKS….

Washington Square West has much to offer in its neighborhoods that offer many store-lined specialty shops and cafes.  There is an active day life and an active nightlife.  Recreational and family activities have many places to happen — and there are many green spaces and parks in the neighborhoods.  It is not unusual to see outdoor birthday parties, neighbors enjoying a glass of wine on their front steps, or a group practicing yoga in a nearby park.

FAMILY FINDS AND SCHOOLS IN RITTENHOUSE, OLD CITY, and WASHINGTON SQUARE WEST…

While childcare can be easily particularized by neighborhood, the scholastic experience can be looked upon throughout the combination of these neighborhoods.  Philadelphia is an easily accessible city, and to weigh in on the best choices, we have given you the location of the highly regarded schools within the area:

Elementary Schools

High Schools

Rittenhouse, Old City, and Washington Square West thrive and cater to families in many ways.  There are many green spaces and events that are ongoing for families to feel the neighborhood’s familial accommodations.  Some great, especially family-friendly restaurants:

Maxwell Realty Can Help You Get The Home of Your Dreams in the Best Philadelphia Neighborhoods

Maxwell Realty is thrilled to give praise to these three amazing neighborhoods, Rittenhouse Square, Old City, and Washington Square West.  All have notable features and beauty running throughout their veins.  If you are stumped on which you favor:

Thinking of moving into one of these fabulous neighborhoods? Never hesitate to reach out to us with questions and guidance — here at Maxwell Realty, this is home for us.  We pride ourselves on knowing our client’s needs and finding the right fit. Visit our listings and we would be thrilled to exceed your expectations and get you home as soon as possible. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Our Philadelphia realtor Nancy Alperin can help you with what you need. Contact us today at 215-546-6000.

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