7 Best Philadelphia Neighborhoods For Young Professionals

Heather Robbins
by Heather Robbins

The city is a major career center for big-city workers and provides educational and employment opportunities. Philadelphia has an exceptional cultural, sports, and music scene and a substantial, timeless history and place in the nation’s history. Adding in a multitude of character-filled neighborhoods, it comes together to form a unique 21st-century experience. Philadelphians use the word “jawn” to describe anything beyond words.

Philadelphia has several neighborhoods that are best for young professionals, regardless of the line of work. A few of these neighborhoods are:

  • Chestnut Hill
  • Main Line
  • Rittenhouse Square
  • Conshohocken
  • Fishtown
  • Northern Liberties
  • University City

Considering there are 150 distinct neighborhoods in Philadelphia and 100 suburbs, there is a lot of ground to cover. If you’re moving to Philadelphia from afar, or whether you’re just relocating within the city, this Philly neighborhoods guide will help you find the neighborhood that appeals to you most while fitting your budget and commuting needs.

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The Top Neighborhoods In Philadelphia For Young Professionals

If you spend most of your life focusing on your career, then it’s only reasonable that the area you move to helps aid in the development of your career. Therefore, we’ve created this list for you.

1. Best For Professions In Entertainment: Chestnut Hill

  • Walk Score: 65
  • Crime Rating: B+
  • Transit Score: 50
  • Median Rent: $1,406

The small village of Chestnut Hill, located north of Philadelphia, provided a bucolic setting and cooler summer temperatures that drew members of Philadelphia’s elite during the Revolutionary War. On most of the high-end neighborhood’s streets, which are filled with historic mansions and Victorian townhomes, the area is quiet. However, on cobblestoned Germantown Avenue, the bustle is palpable.

With its boutiques, bars, and bakeries, this quaint and trendy main street is lined with restaurants and brewpubs like Mica, CinCin, and Cake, many of them offering outdoor seating so that visitors can enjoy the wonderful spring and fall weather. This area is not only the garden district of Philadelphia but also home to the oldest country club in the country, the Philadelphia Cricket Club, whose name is derived from the area’s namesake chestnut trees.

Transportation

Chestnut Hill has easy access to Wissahickon Valley Park, a park of 2,000 acres with 50 miles of trails for walking, biking, and hiking. The commute from Chestnut Hill to Center City is only about 12 miles, which is only a 25- to 30-minute drive. There are also two commuter train lines serving the neighborhood, both of which take around 45 minutes to reach Center City.

2. Best For Those Who Love The City Life: Main Line

  • Walk Score: 70
  • Crime Rating: C
  • Transit Score: 85
  • Median Rent: $1,400

Main Line is a system of 20 or so towns northwest of the city that follow a suburban easement made by the Pennsylvania Railroad. Montgomery County, Delaware County, and Chester County are the counties that border the Main Line. In addition to many estate towns like Lower Merion, Devon, Malvern, and Gladwyne and a dozen university communities like Haverford and Villanova, the Main Line is home to many of the most affluent communities in the nation.

There are several world-renowned golf courses in the old money suburbs, including Aronimink, Merion, and the 130-year-old Philadelphia Country Club. In addition to being home to the oldest and largest American horse show, the area is also known as Devon.

Also, there are several places to enjoy down-to-earth fun, including Flip and Bailey’s in Rosemont and Hope’s Country Fresh Cookies in Bryn Mawr, where you can watch the Wildcats in action.

Transportation

There are two entrances to the Main Line: one is on the U.S. A route was leading directly into Philadelphia as well as trains along two regional rail lines of SEPTA. In either case, you’ll spend about 25 minutes getting into Center City whether you’re driving or taking regional rail.

3. Best For Professionals In The Fashion Industry: Rittenhouse Square

  • Walk Score: 99
  • Crime Rating: F
  • Transit Score: 100
  • Median Rent: $1,469

Rittenhouse Square resides in the Center City area of Philadelphia, an area known and loved for its fashion and culture. This neighborhood is named after Rittenhouse Square, one of the original five public squares that Penn created for his “Greene Country Towne”; today, it is a condominium and apartment complex overlooking a historical park.

Living there is also quite expensive compared to other parts of Philadelphia. The park is filled with dog walkers, artists, afternoon crowds, and young couples enjoying lunch on benches and strolling the streets. You’ll find many individuals in unique clothing as this is also the fashion capital of the city, so if you have a career in fashion, this is the perfect neighborhood for you.

4. Best For Professionals In Technology: Conshohocken

  • Walk Score: 69
  • Crime Rating: F
  • Transit Score: 80
  • Median Rent: $1,452

Young professionals and computer companies in Montgomery County work in this neighborhood, which serves as a suburban hotspot. Its location as a transportation hub has dramatically aided its growth since it was invented in the late twentieth century as a suburban-chic and cosmopolitan residential neighborhood. Several of these buildings, as well as Conshohocken Rowing Center and Riverside Dog Park, hug the river.

There are a number of restaurants and bars along Fayette Street, including:

  • El Limon
  • Brunch
  • Blackfish
  • StoneRose
  • Great American Pub
  • Jasper’s Backyard
  • Flanigan’s Boathouse
Transportation

In addition to being an auto commuting hub, Conshohocken offers two SEPTA regional commuter rail stations and is located at the intersection of the Blue Route and Schuylkill Expressway. Center City can be reached from Conshohocken Station by car in 35 minutes or by train in 40 minutes.

5. Best For Music Professionals: Fishtown

  • Walk Score: 90
  • Crime Rating: F
  • Transit Score: 65
  • Median Rent: $866

Dispatch from Elsewhere on the AMC network has featured much of Fishtown, a neighborhood rich in public art and quirky in its own right. Fishing was a major occupation in the neighborhood throughout its early history, which gave it its name. Rents and home values have been rising along with the demand for apartments, homes, and apartments in North Philadelphia as art, culture, foodie, and entertainment community.

There are also a number of music venues in Fishtown, including the Foundry, Johnny Brenda’s, Kung Fu Necktie, and the Fillmore. For those who enjoy gambling, there is also the Rivers Casino. Aside from Pizza Brain, the neighborhood boasts two noteworthy pizzerias: Pizzeria Beddia, awarded by Bon Appétit magazine as “Best Pizza in America,” and Pizzeria Beddia, which houses the world’s first museum of pizza culture. You can also check out the following restaurants:

  • Fette Sau
  • Barcade
  • Joe’s Steaks
  • El Bar
  • Frankford Hall
Transportation

City Hall can be reached in just 20 minutes by taking the Market-Frankford el train, and you can drive down I-95 and across the Vine Street Expressway in 15 minutes.

6. Best For Professional Business Owners: Northern Liberties

  • Walk Score: 94
  • Crime Rating: F
  • Transit Score: 79
  • Median Rent: $866

When William Penn established his plans for Philadelphia, he reserved lots north of Vine Street for free settlement so that landowners in that part of the city would have free lots to develop. In creating the first suburb, Penn created a new class of citizens.

This well-to-do Philadelphia neighborhood used to be home to mills, factories, foundries, and breweries, but that has all changed. Now, NoLibs is a bustling neighborhood that is experiencing rapid redevelopment and soaring property values. At the edge of the old Christian Schmidt Brewing, the factory is The Piazza at Schmidt’s, a European-style plaza with retail and apartments.

In NoLibs, you can find some of Philadelphia’s trendiest eateries and pubs, such as:

  • Bourbon & Branch
  • Green Eggs Café
  • Silk City Diner
  • Yards Brewing Company
  • North Bowl
  • Honey’s Sit ‘N Eat
Transportation

It takes only 10 minutes to drive into Center City via Vine Street, or 45 minutes if you’re feeling energetic. There are several SEPTA routes serving Girard Avenue and the Market-Frankford elevated train that stops at Spring Garden Station. The latter is a 20-minute ride from Center City.

7. Best For Networking Professionals: University City

  • Walk Score: 90
  • Crime Rating: C
  • Transit Score: 96
  • Median Rent: $1,603

The University City neighborhood straddles the Delaware River in West Philadelphia and encompasses the campus of the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, and the University of the Sciences.

There have been a number of skyscrapers built along the Schuylkill Valley since 2000, including the Cira Center, the Cira Center South, and the FMC Building. This area has rapidly become one of Philadelphia’s hottest downtown neighborhoods.

With the Schuylkill Yards, a 14-acre development project that will include towers and public spaces, and with the $6.5 billion Station Plaza, a development centered around Amtrak’s 30th Street Station, the region continues to grow.

From affordable off-campus student apartments to high-rise apartments and condos, home and rental prices range widely. The beautiful World Café Live music venue showcases national touring acts every Friday at noon during WXPN’s free public concert series.

Transportation

Seven bridges connect University City with Center City for transportation. On the eastern border of the neighborhood is the Schuylkill Expressway, which runs along Baltimore Avenue. From around the Penn campus, a 10-minute drive or a half-hour walk will take you into Center City.

Among the neighborhood’s many attractions are 30th Street Station, the 10th busiest station in America, which serves Amtrak and SEPTA lines, the Subway-Surface trolley, Market-Frankford bus, and the Atlantic City Line of NJ Transit. Getting to City Hall by el from 30th Street Station is just 2 minutes away, and to Old City, it takes 20 minutes.

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Related Questions

What is the wealthiest part of Philadelphia?
Chestnut Hill is the wealthiest neighborhood in Philadelphia, according to Prevu. This neighborhood is currently listed for an average listing price of $1,460,103. The high median household income in Chestnut Hill, which is an expensive neighborhood, is no surprise to those living there.
How dangerous is Philly?
It is one of America’s most dangerous big cities due to its murder rate of 21.5 per 100,000 residents. However, a majority of Americans believe that Chicago is the most dangerous city in America because of its high murder rate per capita.
Which is better, Philly or Pittsburgh?
In the end, Pittsburghers tend to earn more money and live at a lower cost of living than residents of other cities. Pittsburgh has an average household income of $63,800, while Philadelphia has an average income of $54,600. A diverse economy and lower unemployment rates are also among Pittsburgh’s advantages.
Heather Robbins
Heather Robbins

Heather is a passionate writer who loves anything DIY. Growing up, she learned everything from home repairs to design, and wants to share her tips with you. When she's not writing, she's usually hiking or searching for her next DIY project.

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