East Falls

Like the neighboring Manayunk and Roxborough, East Falls is a charming town right outside of Philadelphia, with a combination of city energy and residential appeal. . It borders the Schuylkill River, featuring a gorgeous running and biking trail up to Fairmount Park. The area is very up-and-coming, as the local East Falls Community Council is dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents and making it as much of a desired location as Manayunk.

Philadelphia University, known for its architecture program, is located in East Falls, which contributes to its increasing popularity. The university draws a crowd of students, resulting in a significant amount of renters and high noise levels on weekends. These students opt to live in the smaller townhomes near main drags with corner bars and restaurants; one of these high-traffic streets is Ridge Avenue. However as you move away from Ridge the area becomes more residential, with larger, single-family homes for young professionals, couples and families.

There is one public school, several private schools, a number of fitness centers, day cares and recreation centers in East Falls, making the area desirable for families with young children. Public transportation is very accessible, with two train stations that provide a 20-minute commute to Center City; this is ideal for the parent that work in the city but does not want to raise their children downtown; it is also appealing to young professionals that are transitioning out of the city post-college.

Although public transit is convenient, it can be time-consuming. Many residents still choose to have a car, but like Manayunk, East Falls is very hilly, making parking difficult and flooding an issue.

Real estate prices are beginning to rise in East Falls as it becomes the next “hot-spot”. However, you will find more space for your money than you will with the apartments and row homes in Center City. East Falls is not only a great transition town for students and post-grads; it is a good place for young families to settle without giving up the Philadelphia lifestyle.

East Falls is a beautiful portion of Philadelphia. It was named for the once gorgeous waterfalls on the east side of the Schuylkill River. The waterfalls have long been gone but if you travel the bike trails of the Wissahickon Creek, part of the Fairmount Park system, you will see a couple small waterfalls here and there.

The area was once forgotten and the property value steadily dropped. However, in recent years, there have been many redevelopment projects allowing the neighborhood to flourish again. One of these projects was the Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education Center, which is a gorgeous structure that offers instruction to children in the Philadelphia School District.

Also, in the redevelopment of East Falls many homes have been built or reconstructed forcing the property value to raise a large percentage. The homes, before and after redevelopment, are a beauty to the beholder with well manicured lawns. There are mini-mansions, Victorian and Colonial-style structures giving the architecture a little diversity.

Regardless of the lack of waterfalls, the streets in East Falls seem to actually fall. Most streets in this neighborhood are hills, which makes for awesome sledding in the winter when it snows. If you stand at the top of any block you can look down and see the beginning of East Falls, which is Kelly Drive, and the Schuylkill River.

The area is home to Philadelphia University and Drexel University College of Medicine. The Falls Center holds many dormitories, as well as some businesses, for Philadelphia University. There is also one public school and two private schools in the East Falls area for school-age children.

Public transportation is scarce within the neighborhood, but a few buses ride along the edge of East Falls. Most folks in the area drive, but due to the hills parking is hard to come by.

East Falls is a wonderful place for growing families. The neighborhood is thriving more and more with new businesses but still manages to remain peaceful. It is a real hidden gem.

A beautiful neighborhood on the east banks of the Schuylkill River, East Falls attracts a blend of the elite living alongside professionals of many stripes. Many well-known politicians including former Governor Ed Rendell and Congressman Chaka Fattah call East Falls’ home. As well, there are a number of media personalities who live in the area. It is conveniently located equidistant to Center City and City Line Avenue address to a number of media outlets. The airport is a quick trip down the expressway.

The homes are well appointed with lots of flowers and greenery. It is a somewhat hilly and not many transportation lines are routed through the area. According to a recent study published in the Philadelphia Inquirer, home values for East Falls have increased by 19 percent.

It is a predominantly Caucasian community with a number of schools including Philadelphia University, William Penn Charter School, St. Bridget’s Catholic School and the Mifflin School. Currently, the School District of Philadelphia is renovating Mifflin School for $8 million.

The Arthur Ashe Tennis facility is nearby along with 16 tennis courts operated by the City of Philadelphia. At the Schuylkill there are running trails and riverside amenities.