West Philadelphia is one of those ambiguous areas that encompasses a big portion of the city, but for those looking for a Philadelphia rental, it is largely a residential area near the river that is primarily composed of great old row houses.
It is lovingly called West Philly by both long time residents and student residents from Penn. While even portions of Southwest Philly can be included in the neighborhood, for most it is simply the area west of the river.
An Early Commuter Town
It was the Schuylkill bridge that opened up the area in the late 19th Century. Middle class workers were then able to commute by horse or by wagon to the central area of the city to their jobs while creating fantastic neighborhoods of Victorian architecture. By the 1950s, the area was in a decline due to crime and suburban flight my many homeowners, but that seems to be past now. The area has been Penntrified, as it is called. The university has be largely responsible from bringing the area back from the ashes of race riots and urban blight. Now, it is much more common to see baby strollers and young professionals remodeling homes and apartments.
Philadelphia rentals here are either single or two-family houses. You’ll find ornate exteriors, tree lined streets and lawns. Porch sitting is popular in the spring and summer and you’ll see plenty of window-box gardens.
An Energetic Area
The influx of younger professionals and students also makes the mix of restaurants and shopping very good. The backbone of the area is Baltimore Avenue and the diversity there is superb. You’ll find great parks, plenty of culture, and neighborhood bars. Once settled in a Philadelphia rental here, you’ll be checking out the Amish market on weekends and enjoying plentiful Southeast Asian cuisines. You’ll find street vendors and posh boutiques all within a few block radius too.
Live music takes to the streets and is found in many of the bars, and that makes it very popular with a younger crowd, but West Philly is popular with all age groups. It offers a true inner city experience and remains something of a well-kept secret.
Commuting Today
A Philadelphia apartment or house in the area means you have access to easy commuting, and it is another reason for its popularity. Not only are their major subway stops but it has some of the city’s remaining streetcar trolly lines. It means you can work in the City Center and be home in minutes to enjoy the parks, the museums, and the low skyline profile which provides sunlight and air!
Even for seasoned Philadelphians, West Philly is often a new discovery and makes them fall in love with the city all over again. Get a piece of it!
