If you’re looking to relocate, Philadelphia is a great place for families, with many fun and unique neighborhoods to choose from. There’s no need to head out to the suburbs when the best neighborhoods for families are right in the city! If you’re thinking of moving with a family to Philly, you’ll want to look for a few things when choosing a neighborhood, from safety and low crime rates, parks and family-friendly things to do to good schools, walkability, ease of commutes to work and lots of shops, cafes and restaurants around. With these considerations in mind, here are our top picks for the best Philadelphia neighborhoods for families.
For any families who like the accessibility and easy shopping of the suburbs, but appreciate the big-city charm, Queen Village is the perfect Philly neighborhood. Located conveniently near all the city’s hustle and bustle, Queen Village has easy access to public transportation and quick commutes and is walkable and bike-friendly. Big-box shopping locations essential to modern parenting, like Target and IKEA, are right on Columbus Boulevard. The area also boasts excellent schools and playgrounds.
Queen Village is full of beautiful, historic homes and has all the modern amenities too, including several restaurants, shops and neighborhood bars to explore. A stretch of historic fabric stores and other shops known as Fabric Row is a fun shopping district for families. For the best eating in Queen Village, check out Jim’s Steaks for a classic Philly cheesesteak or Hungry Pigeon for family-friendly, all-day dining and comfort foods.
Families of all ages love Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, which features a fully immersive labyrinth of mosaic sculpture, as well as gardens and other sculptures. Queen Village is home to the South Street Spring Festival, which offers fun for all ages. Here, you can wander outside and enjoy shopping and dining on the sidewalks, as well as live music, other performances and local art for sale.
One of the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia for families, Bella Vista means beautiful view, and this old area of the city is full of charm and history. Bella Vista is home to the Ninth Street Italian Market, the oldest open-air market of this type in the country. The neighborhood has welcomed diversity, embracing all cultures, most notably Italian, Vietnamese and Mexican. This diversity means Bella Vista is home to some of the best international cuisine in the area.
Bella Vista offers top-notch schools, too. The Julia R. Masterman Secondary School has earned accolades as Pennsylvania’s second-best. Other top choices in the neighborhood include Central High School, the Science Leadership Academy, Christopher Columbus Charter School and Carver High School. Baradascino Park provides plenty of family recreation for the Bella Vista neighborhood, including bocce ball competitions, live music and more.
For young families looking for fun, educational entertainment, Fairmount is the neighborhood for you. As Philadelphia’s “Art Museum Area,” there are several interesting options to keep the whole family occupied for whole weekends on end. Many of the houses are a quick walk from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which is one of the world’s largest art museums. And for a fun-filled day of science and research, take the kids to the Franklin Institute, right around the corner.
Fairmount is a neighborhood that embraces exciting themes during different times of the year. On Bastille Day, you and your family can enjoy a block party featuring exciting games and attractions, including throwing Tastycakes from the top of the Eastern State Penitentiary to the crowd below. The Eastern State Penitentiary also hosts Terror Behind the Walls during Halloween, a spooky attraction that uses various rooms throughout the historic prison.
People across Philadelphia recognize Fairmount for its love of art, education and fun. But it’s also full of culture and delicious dining options. Enjoy some of Philadelphia’s best food at restaurants only a walk or a bike ride away. You and your family will also have access to peaceful green areas when you’re looking for an afternoon away from the commotion.
Formerly a manufacturing district of the city, Northern Liberties has been a hip, progressive neighborhood for quite a while. The area attracts artists and entrepreneurs and serves as an influence on surrounding neighborhoods. Northern Liberties is very walkable and is one of Philly’s best neighborhoods for finding good food and drink. Here, you’ll find craft beer, international cuisine and fun brunch stops, many of which are family-friendly.
The Northern Liberties neighborhood has plenty of bike racks and is easy to get around by bike, foot or public transport. For homebuyers, the area is a hotbed of new developments, mixed-use complexes and reimagined historic homes.
Northern Liberties is the neighborhood for families who like to get out and have fun together. Head to the Northern Liberties Recreation Center for swimming, basketball, a playground and after-school programs. The Northern Liberties Community Center hosts art classes, summer camps and special events. You’ll also find bowling, a library, street art, playgrounds, parks and lots of cute cafes in Northern Liberties.
Laid-back Fitler Square is another great location for families in Philly with easy accessibility to the city and beautiful scenery. This small family-friendly area is part of the larger neighborhood known as City Center West and is a perfect spot for families who love life in the big city. The neighborhood has several parks and playgrounds, including Schuylkill River Park, which features dog parks, basketball, tennis, baseball and a pool. The Lombard Swim Club is also in Fitler Square, with aquatic fun for the whole family.
The Fitler Square neighborhood has great schools, including several prestigious private schools and well-known public schools like Greenfield Elementary. Galleries and museums in and around Fitler Square provide lots of extra educational and cultural opportunities, including the well-known Rosenbach Museum.
Ready to fall in love with Philly? With so many great neighborhoods to choose from, we are confident you’ll find the right place for your family here. Let Streamline help you find your next family home in Philadelphia. The best neighborhoods near Philadelphia for families are in the heart of the city, and Streamline is a full-service real estate development and construction company that cares about our Philadelphia community. If you’re interested in finding out more about our housing portfolio and how we can help you, get in touch today. The team at Streamline can help you find your next home in family-friendly Philadelphia.
