Philadelphia Neighborhoods: Find the Right Place to Live
Philadelphia is a city of distinct neighborhoods, each offering its own combination of housing, transportation, restaurants, shopping, parks, architecture, and access to the rest of the city.
Whether you’re moving to Philadelphia or considering a move within the city, this guide can help you compare neighborhoods and narrow your search. Start with the characteristics that matter most to you, explore neighborhoods by location, or use Find My Philadelphia Neighborhood™ for a personalized match.
Compare Philadelphia Neighborhoods by Your Priorities
Highly walkable neighborhoods
For easier access to restaurants, shops, errands, and everyday destinations on foot (Walk Score of 90+%)
Rittenhouse Square · Washington Square West · Society Hill · Old City · Bella Vista · Queen Village · Passyunk Square · East Passyunk
Strong public transportation access
For convenient access to subway, trolley, Regional Rail, PATCO, or frequent bus service connecting to Center City and other parts of Philadelphia
Rittenhouse Square · Washington Square West · Society Hill · Old City · Northern Liberties · Fishtown · Passyunk Square · East Passyunk
Strong dining & shopping access
For having restaurants, cafés, shops, and commercial corridors within or close to the neighborhood
Rittenhouse Square · Washington Square West · Bella Vista · East Passyunk · Passyunk Square · Fishtown · Northern Liberties · Old City · Manayunk · Chestnut Hill
Parks, trails & outdoor access
For easier access to major parks, wooded trails, riverfront paths, and other outdoor recreation
Chestnut Hill · Roxborough · Manayunk · Fairmount · Fishtown · Fitler Square · Pennsport · Queen Village · Society Hill · Old City · Northern Liberties · Brewerytown
More on-street parking availability
For buyers who expect to keep a car and want available on-street parking to play a larger role in their neighborhood search
Pennsport · Roxborough · East Kensington · Brewerytown
More residential / lower-density settings
For people who prefer more residential streets, somewhat lower housing density, or less of a downtown environment
Chestnut Hill · Roxborough · Fitler Square · Pennsport · Point Breeze · Graduate Hospital · Queen Village
Close to Center City
For people who want a primarily residential neighborhood while remaining especially close to Center City employment, dining, shopping, and cultural destinations
Rittenhouse Square · Fitler Square · Washington Square West · Society Hill · Graduate Hospital · Queen Village · Bella Vista · Old City · Fairmount
Compare Philadelphia Neighborhoods by Housing Type
More condo options
For buyers interested in condominium living, including high-rise, mid-rise, and smaller condominium buildings
Rittenhouse Square · Old City · Washington Square West · Society Hill · Northern Liberties · Fairmount
Predominantly rowhome neighborhoods
For buyers looking for the classic attached-home housing pattern found throughout much of Philadelphia
Queen Village · Bella Vista · Graduate Hospital · Passyunk Square · East Passyunk · Pennsport · Point Breeze · Fishtown · East Kensington
More newer construction options
For buyers interested in neighborhoods where newer construction represents a more noticeable part of the housing market
Northern Liberties · Fishtown · East Kensington · Point Breeze · Graduate Hospital
Not Sure Which Philadelphia Neighborhood Fits You Best?
Find My Philadelphia Neighborhood™ uses your budget, housing preferences, transportation priorities, commute, outdoor-space preferences, and restaurant access priorities to identify Philadelphia neighborhoods that may be a strong match for what you’re looking for.
Take the free neighborhood match quiz and discover which Philadelphia neighborhoods best fit what matters to you.
THE FULL NEIGHBORHOOD DIRECTORY
Explore Philadelphia Neighborhoods by Geography
Center City
Rittenhouse Square > — One of Philadelphia’s most centrally located neighborhoods, Rittenhouse Square combines its namesake park with restaurants, shopping, cultural destinations, and highly walkable streets. Housing ranges from high-rise condominiums and apartments to classic townhomes and mansions on quieter residential blocks.
Fitler Square > — Fitler Square offers a primarily residential setting on the western side of Center City, with classic rowhomes, tree-lined streets, neighborhood green spaces, and convenient access to the Schuylkill River Trail. Its location also provides easy connections to Rittenhouse Square, University City, and the rest of Center City.
Washington Square West > — Washington Square West combines a central location with a varied mix of residential streets, restaurants, shops, and cultural destinations. Buyers will find everything from traditional rowhomes to condominiums and apartments within easy walking distance of much of Center City.
Society Hill > — Society Hill is known for its historic Philadelphia streetscapes, brick rowhomes, mature trees, and proximity to Washington Square and the Delaware River waterfront. The neighborhood combines a largely residential environment with convenient access to Old City and Center City.
Old City > — Old City combines some of Philadelphia’s best-known architecture and cultural attractions with restaurants, galleries, shops, loft-style residences, condominiums, and apartments. Its eastern Center City location also provides convenient access to the Delaware River waterfront and public transportation.
South Philadelphia
Queen Village > — Queen Village is characterized by tree-lined residential blocks, classic Philadelphia rowhomes, neighborhood parks, and convenient access to restaurants and shops along nearby commercial corridors. Its location just south of Center City also places the Delaware River waterfront and surrounding neighborhoods within easy reach.
Bella Vista > — Bella Vista combines residential rowhome blocks with some of South Philadelphia’s best-known food destinations, including the Italian Market corridor. The neighborhood’s central location provides strong walkability and convenient access to Center City, Passyunk Square, Queen Village, and surrounding neighborhoods.
Passyunk Square > — Passyunk Square offers classic Philadelphia rowhomes alongside one of South Philadelphia’s most active restaurant and shopping corridors. East Passyunk Avenue anchors much of the neighborhood’s dining and commercial activity, while the surrounding blocks maintain a distinctly residential character.
East Passyunk > — East Passyunk is centered around the restaurants, cafés, shops, and independent businesses of East Passyunk Avenue. The surrounding residential streets are primarily lined with traditional Philadelphia rowhomes, creating a neighborhood where everyday amenities are often within walking distance.
Pennsport > — Pennsport offers predominantly residential rowhome blocks in eastern South Philadelphia with convenient access to shopping, neighborhood parks, and the Delaware River waterfront. The neighborhood provides a more residential setting while remaining relatively close to Center City and East Passyunk.
Point Breeze > — Point Breeze is a largely residential South Philadelphia neighborhood with a housing stock dominated by attached homes alongside substantial infill and newer construction. Its location provides convenient access to Graduate Hospital, Passyunk Square, and Center City.
Graduate Hospital > — Graduate Hospital sits immediately south of Center City and is characterized largely by residential rowhome blocks mixed with renovated homes and newer construction. Its location makes Rittenhouse Square, the South Street corridor, and other central Philadelphia destinations readily accessible.
North & Northeast of Center City
Fairmount > — Fairmount combines residential streets with convenient access to some of Philadelphia’s largest cultural institutions and outdoor spaces. The neighborhood sits near the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Fairmount Park while offering a mix of rowhomes, condominiums, and other housing types.
Northern Liberties > — Northern Liberties combines established residential blocks with newer townhomes, condominiums, apartments, restaurants, and shops. Its housing mix is more varied than many traditional Philadelphia rowhome neighborhoods, and the neighborhood provides convenient access to Center City and nearby Fishtown.
Fishtown > — Fishtown pairs traditional Philadelphia rowhomes with newer residential development and one of the city’s more concentrated restaurant, nightlife, and entertainment districts. Frankford Avenue and surrounding commercial corridors provide much of the neighborhood’s activity, while residential blocks extend throughout the area.
East Kensington > — East Kensington is primarily residential but has experienced substantial infill development alongside its existing rowhome housing stock. Its location places residents near Fishtown and the Frankford Avenue corridor while offering a somewhat different residential environment from its better-known neighbor.
Northwest Philadelphia
Manayunk > — Manayunk combines hillside residential streets with the shops, restaurants, and businesses concentrated around Main Street. Housing ranges from traditional rowhomes to newer construction, while the Schuylkill River, regional trails, and nearby wooded recreation provide access to outdoor activities.
Roxborough > — Roxborough offers a lower-density residential environment than many neighborhoods closer to Center City, with a broader mix of attached, twin, and detached homes. Its Northwest Philadelphia location also provides convenient access to wooded trails and larger outdoor spaces.
Chestnut Hill > — Chestnut Hill combines a distinctive commercial corridor with residential streets offering one of the broader housing mixes among the neighborhoods in this guide. Buyers can find rowhomes, twins, detached homes, condominiums, and larger properties, along with convenient access to Wissahickon Valley Park and Regional Rail.
Philadelphia Neighborhood Maps & Resources
Philadelphia Neighborhood Map
See where Philadelphia neighborhoods are located and how they relate to Center City and surrounding areas.
Philadelphia Elementary School Catchment Map
Explore Philadelphia elementary school catchment boundaries using the interactive map.
Search Homes for Sale in Philadelphia
Once you’ve narrowed your neighborhood choices, explore current homes for sale throughout Philadelphia or search within an individual neighborhood.
Search by price, property type, bedrooms, bathrooms, and other criteria to see what’s currently available.
Moving to Philadelphia?
Choosing a neighborhood is only one part of planning a move to Philadelphia. My relocation resources cover housing, transportation, neighborhoods, buying a home, and other practical considerations when making Philadelphia your new home.
Connect with Jim
Online research is a great starting point, but choosing between two or three Philadelphia neighborhoods often comes down to details that aren’t obvious from a map.
If you’re planning to buy a home in Philadelphia, I can help you compare neighborhoods, understand the housing available within your budget, and determine which areas deserve a closer look.