Chestnut Hill

Located in Northwest Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill resembles a suburb more than a city. Unlike most of Philadelphia County, it features large, single-family homes with yards, and serves as a commuter town. Chestnut Hill is the ideal location to raise a family, but real estate costs are extremely high – they are only second to the expensive Rittenhouse Square area.

The majority of Chestnut Hill residents are homeowners. The few renters are students at Chestnut Hill College, a small, Roman Catholic college with only 900 undergraduates and 1,500 graduate students. In addition to the college, there are two schools operated by the School District of Philadelphia; however, most residents opt to send their children to private schools, like the well-known Chestnut Hill Academy and Springside School.

Green space and suburban charm are aplenty. Chestnut Hill is home to Pastorious Park, a 16-acre park maintained by the Fairmount Park Conservancy. It features a small pond and an amphitheater, which showcases evening concerts in summer months. It also overlooks Wissahickon Creek, a body of water that runs 23 miles throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania. Small, open-air markets and indoor farmer’s markets are popular amongst residents, while privately owned businesses line high-traffic streets.

Chestnut Hill features two lines on the SEPTA Regional Rail: Chestnut Hill East and Chestnut Hill West. These trains see high traffic during the week, with many business professionals commuting into Center City; however, most residents also own cars.

Overall, Chestnut Hill is a safe, green and friendly community. However, it is very expensive to buy and rent in the area. The residential makeup is primarily business professionals and wealthy families. It is a great suburban option, even though it is still in Philadelphia County.

In the northwestern part of Philadelphia, right above Wissahickon Creek, sits Chestnut Hill. This portion of the city features beautiful architecture, which includes the newly restored Belgian blocks along the main street of Germantown Avenue.

Aside from a long stretch of shops and boutiques, Chestnut Hill features beautiful homes with vast lawns and gorgeous flowers aligning most properties. These mini-mansions, created by some of the world's famous architects, are alluring and inviting to most visitors. The property value is one of the highest within Philadelphia but it is well worth the investment.

For families with children there are two types of education available. If public school is the way for you, the School District of Philadelphia zones Chestnut Hill students to a K - 8 and a 9 - 12 in the area. If a private school is more your style, there are 4 in the neighborhood. Chestnut Hill College is the only post-high school institution in the area.

Chestnut Hill is also a place to enjoy and explore. The Wissahickon Valley portion of the Fairmount Park system is a great place to take a walk along one of its extensive trails. Morris Arboretum, home to the only remaining free-standing fernery in North America, is full of gardens and a great place for a wedding. There is also the Philadelphia Cricket Club, Wissahickon Skating Club, the Woodmere Art Museum and the Chestnut Hill Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia.

Unfortunately, public transportation is not abundant in Chestnut Hill. There are two regional rails that move in and out the area if you want more of an adventurous view, but they only stop at stations which are sometimes miles apart. There are, however, 5 buses; 2 that head out to the suburbs and 3 that head into the city. One of the buses, the 23, used to be a trolley, but was discontinued completely by 1996. However, the tracks still remain within the area.

Driving is the best option for this area to avoid the long waits for public trans, but do be warned that parking is very limited due to the popularity of the Germantown shopping strip.

Chestnut Hill has been the home for many important individuals including two former Philadelphia Mayors, a couple US Senators, an abundance of architects, actors/actresses, and the CEO of the Comcast Corporation.

With its array of beauty and history, Chestnut Hill is the perfect place for growing families.

Huge stone mansions have made Chestnut Hill one of the most desirable places to live in Philadelphia. Spacious green lawns, which are at a premium in Philadelphia, surround the gracious homes.

Transportation is available along Germantown Avenue where for many years the longest trolley route in the world travelled from Chestnut Hill to South Philadelphia. Regrettably, the Route 23 has been discontinued in 1992 in favor of a transit bus which makes it a less of an adventure. However, the Belgian block that held the trolley tracks still remain on Germantown Avenue.

There is plenty of shopping along Germantown Avenue if you have “deep pockets.” Antique shops, dress boutiques, and galleries line the avenue.

Morris Arboretuem, owned by the University of Pennsylvania, provides a perfect backdrop for weddings and special occasions.

Property values have skyrocketed upwards to 57 percent increases according to a recent survey by the Philadelphia Inquirer. Former Mayor Frank Rizzo and his family resided in Chestnut Hill.

LaSalle College and Chestnut Hill College are within the community. Chestnut Hill College recently converted from an all-girls institution. A number of private schools call Chestnut Hill home. They include: Crefeld School, The Chestnut Hill Academy, and Springside School. Several Friends School located nearby and include: The William Penn Charter School, Germantown Friends, and Abington Friends School. St. Joseph’s Preparatory is one of the finest high schools in the region.

Chestnut Hill is a neighborhood located in Northwest Philadelphia. It is situated between Northwestern Avenue to the northwest, Wissahickon Gorge, which is part of Fairmont Park, to the west, Stenton Avenue to the east and Cresheim Valley to the southeast.
It is one of the most expensive sections of the city to live in and offers some of the most beautiful architecture that can be found anywhere in Philadelphia. In 2005, Chestnut Hill has a median home sale price of $398,500. The neighborhood contains a large variety of 19th and early 20th century residential buildings designed by many of the city’s most prominent architects.
One of the most notable sites in Chestnut Hill is Inglewood Cottage which is a Gothic Revival villa built in 1850 that is located on Bethlehem Pike. Another draw to Chestnut Hill is the Philadelphia Cricket Club, founded in 1854, which is the oldest country club in the United States. It offers tennis, cricket and trapshooting. The area is also home to Chestnut Hill College.
Chestnut Hill has a large trolley network that runs through it that provides public transportation to the neighborhood’s residents.
The area is largely inhabited by families and is a great place to raise kids. The houses offer large yards for children to run and play and the public schools located in Chestnut Hill, including John Story Jenks School, are some of the best in Philadelphia

Have you ever watched a television series on the WB network and thought “Where is this neighborhood? Neighborhoods this cute do not exist.” Chestnut Hill is one of those neighborhoods. The homes are immaculate, the architecture is amazing. There are a variety of posh boutiques, restaurants and taverns that have been owned and operated by families for generations. And the residents are polite and friendly.
It is those charms that make Chestnut Hill appealing but it is also part of the reason that it is an expensive area to live in. It is definitely a neighborhood for wealthier families who prefer a quieter lifestyle and want their children to attend nearby private schools.

Public transportation in Chestnut Hill is not as easily accessible as other parts of Philadelphia so having a car in this neighborhood is worthwhile. Parking has been a known complaint by many residents but the neighborhood has worked to resolve that issue with parking lots.

Even if you can’t afford to live in Chestnut Hill it is definitely worth visiting, especially if you are into horticultural. It is home to the Morris Arboretum where you can see the Hamilton Fernery—the only greenhouse of this style in the United States. That alone will make you feel like you’re in a television series.