The 12 Best Neighborhoods in Philadelphia for Renters

Apart from offering a plethora of professional and educational opportunities that draw people from all over, what stands out is Philadelphia’s deep connection to history, with landmarks galore. In addition, the city has around 150 separate neighborhoods for you to take your pick, each one offering something worth your while! For instance, gather different experiences at the Italian Market in South Philadelphia, the entrance to the Chinatown community, and Old City, where you can catch up with much of Philly’s history! Regardless of your locale, food and entertainment options are always a stone’s throw away! While 150 communities are a lot to dig into, we’ve compiled 12 best neighborhoods in Philadelphia for you to explore.

Complete guide to the 12 best Philadelphia neighborhoods:

1. Chestnut Hill

Chestnut Hill is a tranquil, residential neighborhood. This upscale area is full of Victorian townhouses, old mansions, and an excellent public and private school system. The area also goes by the name “the Garden District,” and there are sufficient parks to prove it! You’ll find plenty of museums and theaters, the maximum among all of the city’s communities. It’s a shopping hub with everything from tiny shops to national chain stores for you to explore.

The neighborhood houses the Philadelphia Cricket Club, the oldest country club in America. If you’re searching for places to see, you should visit the Morris Arboretum, perfect for nature lovers. Germantown Ave is dotted with cheese shops, old boutiques, galleries, and farmer’s markets on the weekend, not to mention brewpubs, bakeries, and eateries! Some of its well-known eateries include CinCin, Cake, and Mica.

For those into outdoor activities, head over to Wissahickon Valley Park, spread over 2000 acres. The park offers 50 miles worth of trails for walking, biking, and hiking. If you love adventure, you couldn’t have asked for a better place!

The community organizes the Harry Potter Festival during fall every year, so if you’re a fan, you’ll blend perfectly into the crowd!

Overall, one of the safest neighborhoods in Philadelphia with very low crime rates.

2. University City

University City is a neighborhood with reasonably-priced student housing facilities, new luxury apartments, and condos. Since students dominate the area, there’s a strong college feel here. The community houses some of the most reputed schools in the city, so besides students, you get to see university faculty and staff searching for roommates in Philadelphia here.

Some prominent universities include Drexel University, the University of the Sciences, and The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College. This is a diversified neighborhood, considering the number of people from academia. So make sure you choose a perfect roommate while living here.

Its many eateries cater to various cuisines and taste palates, such as Montreal-style bagels and Greek gyros. The area, which has an art and culture vibe, exists in perfect harmony with restaurants serving international cuisine, food stalls, and dive bars all over, making it an excellent place to live in.

You’ll discover many art galleries, cultural centers, and performance locales. Bars worth noting include the City Tap House, frequented by students, and the Walnut Street Cafe.

Besides being an educational center, it’s also a business district, with many skyscrapers, such as Cira Center, Cira Center South, and the FMC building. There are numerous other ongoing construction projects to serve the residents of the community. On Fridays at noon, WXPN, a non-commercial public FM radio station, runs a free public concert at the World Cafe Live, a music locale.

Among its must-visit places, there’s the Institute of Contemporary Art with its fantastic rotating exhibits. Be sure to explore Woodlands, a Georgian-style mansion that comes with an arcade and botanic gardens. Penn Museum has a beautiful array of archaeological pieces representing each continent and other exhibits.

The community has plenty of green spaces. Bartram’s Garden, the oldest Botanical Garden on the continent, is a 45-acre attraction. Last but not least, Drexel Park is a great hangout spot for students.

3. Washington Square West

Washington Square West is among the friendliest and most diversified neighborhoods in the city and includes residents from all walks of life. You could call this the LGBTQ+ community of Philadelphia. You’ll find lots of small businesses here if you’re interested in local brands.

The Gayborhood area of the neighborhood has a thriving nightlife scene and is teeming with bars and restaurants that are open to the LGBTQ+ community. Comedy clubs and artist clubs also find a presence here, besides the eateries that cater to couples out for dinner dates. Thirteenth Street in Midtown Village also has a number of Irish bars and unconventional boutiques that serve the LGBTQ+ community.

An integral part of the neighborhood, Washington Square is one of the five original public parks that make up the city. The open space here is ideal for family picnics or get-togethers with friends on weekends. Washington Square Park offers benches occupying sidewalks, a memorial tribute to Philadelphia, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution, a few of the places you could explore while strolling through the park.

In a word, Jefferson Station, which is the public transit center for SEPTA’s regional line, is close by should you want to use public transportation to travel to other places.

4. Fishtown

Fishtown is a perfect neighborhood for hipsters, lined with warehouses renovated into bike repair shops, restaurants, and a ton of bars. The community derived its name from the fishermen who found a home here ages ago. Residents comprise young professionals, students, and hipsters, courtesy of the appeal of the place. You’ll also find several families searching for rooms for rent in Philadelphia here.

The area’s undergone massive changes, thanks to the influx of refined people, but its intrinsic nature has remained as is. The immense growth has turned the neighborhood into a destination for those who love art, culture, entertainment, and food.

You’ll discover hordes of music locales here, such as the Foundry, the Fillmore, Kung Fu Necktie, and Johnny Brenda’s. Do you like to gamble for fun? River’s Casino is where you should head! Renowned pizzerias, Pizza Brain, which houses the first pizza museum globally, and Pizzeria Beddia are places where you can grab a bite.

For a range of other cuisines, explore Joe’s Steaks, El Bar, Fette Sau, and Barcade. Those looking for a drink will find beer gardens, gastropubs, and dive bars aplenty in the area. If you’re into indie music performances, this is the place for you! What else is great here? The coffee, of course! You have several trendy cafes. Among them is the brand new La Colombe Coffee Roasters! Try it out.

Downtown is easily reachable from here and so is the rest of the city. In the end, it is considered amongst the safest neighborhoods in philadelphia with secure community.

5. Northern Liberties

What was once a manufacturing area is now a hipster destination, also known as ‘NoLibs.’ Its immense popularity seemed to draw Forbes’ attention, which referred to it as one of America’s Best Hipster Philadelphia Neighborhoods! Residents comprise young professionals, artists, and a host of people from various backgrounds. So if you own a property here, make sure you rent it to a perfect tenant.

There are many fashionable boutiques and artwork displayed across the neighborhood. The 90s marked the area’s rise, owing to local businessmen and the creatively inclined looking for homes here.

To satisfy your hunger pangs, head over to North 2nd street, where you’ll find traditional cuisine and craft beer. Piazza Pod Park, a refurbished brewery, serves as a dining and shopping complex spread over 35000 square feet! There are a dozen vendors dealing with food and beverages, so drop by if you’re looking for more options.

Not satisfied with the food and drinking options? NoLibs won’t disappoint! You have North Bowl, Silk City Diner, Bourbon & Branch, Green Eggs Cafe, Honey’s Sit ‘N Eat, and Yards Brewing Company. Whew! You’ll be spoilt for choice, we bet!

6. Old City

Old City is a family-oriented neighborhood with several instances of stunning architecture. You’ll find multiple loft apartments, rental houses and condos that were reconstructed from warehouses and factories. Apart from the magnificent architecture, you get to admire the beautiful cobblestone streets that take you back to the 18th century.

Among the area’s many highlights are historical landmarks, such as Penn’s Landing, the Liberty Bell, and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, which expose you to a significant slice of the city’s history.

Some of the country’s most prominent public figures who once called this place home are George Washington, William Penn, and Betsy Ross. The neighborhood’s importance is undeniable, considering this is where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution came into being.

The community is home to plenty of fancy boutiques, theaters, galleries, eateries, and bars. Second Street is a food and drink hub. Drop by the 2nd Story Brewing for lip-smacking burgers and fish and chips. More options to satiate your taste buds include Franklin Fountain Amada and City Tavern, Royal Boucherie, and the Olde Bar.

Craving Asian cuisine? Head over to Buddakan for contemporary Asian dishes. The community has a rocking nightlife scene if you’re the clubbing and partying type. Several boutiques, museums, monuments, and art galleries pepper the area. On Fridays, you have art walks showcasing the work of various artists.

As far as must-visit places go, the Blue Cross RiverRink hosts roller skating in summer and ice skating in the winter months. Race Street Pier serves as a haven for yoga enthusiasts and an urban park if you’re looking for options to stay in shape.

Old City Eats is a noteworthy summer event with appetizers available at half their rates and drinks from 5 pm to 8 pm on Thursdays at local eateries, so if you get a chance to attend it, eat and drink to your heart’s content!

In summary, Old City is among the most secure neighborhoods in the city.

7. Bella Vista

Almost every big city has a Little Italy. For Philadelphia, it’s Bella Vista, since this was the first community that Italian immigrants decided to call home in the 19th century. Needless to say, you’ll find some excellent food here, apart from the renowned Italian market, housing a variety of bakeries and cuisines. It’s supposed to be the oldest outdoor market in the country! The area’s filled with parks and excellent schools, so families might find this place ideal for their kids.

The neighborhood’s cheesesteaks are very popular, especially those from Genos and Pat’s King of Steaks. So, if you’re looking for a break from Italian food, pop by either of the eateries and try them out. Other great options include the Italian Angelinas.

You’ll also find shops such as the Superior Pasta Company where the pasta is made traditionally, instead of using machines. Make sure you check out Washington Avenue because you can have your fill of Mexican and Vietnamese food, thanks to the numerous eateries there.

The Italian Market Festival is held on South 9th Street in the summer. Enjoy delectable Italian food all day while unwinding with live music and recreational events if you get to catch the event. If you run out of places to visit, check out the museum dedicated to the renowned opera singer Mario Lanza, born and raised in Philadelphia.

8. Queen Village

Queen Village is a neighborhood that exudes a pleasant vibe and houses several stunning brownstones. The many trees and green spaces add to the charm of the locale. Dockworkers and their families settled down in the area and lived here for over 300 years and many of them are successful landlords now.

Hordes of Russian Jewish immigrants flocked to this community toward the beginning of the 20th century and set up a range of businesses along South Street. Residents comprise mainly young professionals and empty-nesters. Numerous restaurants, art galleries, tattoo parlors, and dive bars line the neighborhood.

South Street houses multiple bars, boutiques, and retail shops. Whenever you’re in the mood for a drink, drop by Southwark, well known for its cocktails. To fill your tummy, pop by Moshulu, a restaurant built on a ship. This floating eatery offers delectable seafood, steak meals, and brunch options. While you’re there, make sure you explore Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, an art gallery and community arts center.

To conclude, the neighborhood is very walkable and safe.

9. Society Hill

Society Hill is a pretty high-end neighborhood and one of the oldest in the city. The area’s beauty is accentuated by cobblestone streets dotted with trees, Franklin street lamps, Greek Revival-style architecture, and old Georgian row houses.

The heart of the community lies at Head House, an old street market on South 2nd Street, set up to store fire equipment in the early 19th century. The surrounding area, known as Head House Square, houses numerous cafes, eateries, taverns, bars, and specialty stores. Dock Street comprises a host of fancy restaurants and bars that you can visit with your best quality roommate.

You’ll also find Dock Street Brewpub here, the city’s first craft brewery. Drop by Zahav, a restaurant with the honor of being the Best Restaurant in America, courtesy of the James Beard Foundation. It specializes in Israeli and Middle Eastern cuisine.

Be sure to explore the Independence Seaport Museum, where the exhibits give you an insight into the city’s maritime history. Also, check out Spruce Street Harbor Park, a pop-up park consisting of food and beer trucks. The park’s other highlights include a boardwalk next to the Delaware River and 50 hammocks that look irresistible under LED lights!

The minimal crime rate in the area makes it an excellent place to live in.

10. Fairmount

Fairmount is a neighborhood famous for its artistic influence. Some of the most prominent art galleries in Philadelphia are situated in the area, such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Rodin Museum, and the Franklin Institute.

The neighborhood houses a host of cafes, restaurants, bistros, and bars, so professionals or those looking for city life will fall in love with this place. Some worthwhile eateries are Sabrina’s Cafe and Zorba’s Taverna.

Another tourist attraction you should consider exploring is the Eastern State Penitentiary. The prison is a designated National Historic Landmark, besides being the blueprint for prison-building across the globe at one point. The prison is renowned for its notorious prisoners, Al Capone and Willie Sutton.

While the penitentiary might be fascinating and disturbing in equal measure, find some time to visit the Philadelphia Zoo and Kelly Drive. Kelly Drive is among the city’s most famous biking and running spots. You have a nine-mile track around the Schuylkill River that’s perfect for exercising, so make the most of it!

11. Kensington

Kensington is primarily for the labor-class folks and is an industrial community. The area has many bars, breweries, art galleries, and performance venues.

It houses the notable Philadelphia Brewing Company, the community’s first craft brewery. They invite residents and visitors alike for tours and tastings, held at its renovated site from the 19th century. It’s the ideal place to be on the weekend. It has several amazing bars too, should you want to try out other places.

The area’s also famous for the Philadelphia Federal Credit Union Kensington Derby and Arts Festival, held in spring every year. The festival highlights include eccentric parade floats, mud-pit obstacles, and assorted food trucks.

12. Rittenhouse Square

Rittenhouse Square is an old upscale neighborhood, which is equally walkable and bikeable. That, coupled with its range of public transportation options, makes it a sought-after area to live in. The community is home to luxury high-rise condos and apartments.

The area’s popularity is marked by its pavement restaurants and cafes, not to mention bars. Several expensive wine bars and fashionable boutiques dot the area. Are you starving? No worries, there are options galore for you. Check out Vernick Food & Drink, HipCityVeg, and Parc. As far as drinks go, there’s Good Dog Bar, Village Whiskey, and Tria Taproom. Did we forget coffee? Not yet! Check out the latte at Ultimo Coffee or La Colombe!

The community’s vibe is enough to drive you to explore the place. Among the five prominent public spaces that William Penn created, Rittenhouse Square is one. You’ll find lots of green spaces, walking paths, and a reflection pool.

Festivals and farmer’s markets block the community calendar year-round. In fact, if you’re lucky, you might get to attend the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival, a celebration of food, arts, and fashion, and a time for the community to let their hair down. Those who love shopping can head over to Joan Shepp and Anthropologie, pricey specialty boutiques in the neighborhood.

Apart from the neighborhood, Rittenhouse Square is also the name of a public park. People flock there during summers with their fur babies. Some go there just to get a tan! Artists, young couples, and professionals spend their time strolling or having lunch with their friends and coworkers. Interestingly, this isn’t the only place to visit.

Fitler Square Park, spread over half an acre, serves as a space for people to get together and have fun. Seasonal events are held here. Should you fancy art and cultural events, head over to the Kimmel Center and the Koresh Dance Company. If you have enough time on hand, you could also explore The The Curtis Institute of Music, the Philadelphia Art Alliance, and the Academy of Music.

In conclusion, you’ll find plenty of hotels in the area, which is ideal for tourists and travelers looking to spend a few days in the city and soaking in the sights and sounds.

Conclusion

So, does Philadelphia check all the boxes on your list of things for a perfectly livable city? We sure hope so! While every city has its pros and cons, the only cons, if we can use the term, are the number of neighborhoods and the city size. Since everything depends on perspective, we can turn these so-called cons into positives too.

A city with so many communities tells you that there’s one that will fit your personality and requirements. Where size is concerned, as long as you have all the perks you need for a comfortable life, who cares how big the city is? For most, a city with a history that defined the country, professional and recreational opportunities galore, would be a dream city. If you decide to move to the city, we hope you find what you’re looking for!