North Central

Philadelphia’s North Central neighborhood is experiencing the economic pressures of Temple University to the east and Center City to the south. In a word, it is poised to benefit from location, location, location. During the past 6 years, property values have increased by some 25 percent according to a recent survey by the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The homes are huge! Many are multi-story with wooden staircases and touches of Art Deco. Rehabbing these beauties will attract many new residences. Another attribute is the close proximity to transportation with buses along Broad Street and subways underground.

When former Mayor John Street represented the district in City Council, he saw to it that Temple did not continue acquiring land and building facilities such as the Liacouris Center until the university made provisions for longtime residents. Thus, in the middle of North Central are the studios for the international renowned WRTI, Temple University’s Jazz and Classical Radio Station. Also along Cecil B. Moore Avenue is Temple’s Business Development Center which is helping to revitalize the area which was once ravaged by the inner city riots of the 60s and 70s.

The population is comprised of 60 percent African American and 40 percent Puerto Rican.

The neighborhood of North Central is located exactly as its name says in north central Philadelphia. It’s a low income area made up of African Americans and Latino Americans.

It’s vicinity to Temple University gave some hope that neighborhood would improve but as of now it’s still much like many other areas in north Philadelphia, the houses are neglected and the sidewalks and streets are covered in trash. Illegal activities like drug dealing and theft are also a common part of life in North Central.

Public transportation is accessibly in the neighborhood via the Broad Street line which it is relatively close to, as well as several bus routes that run to and from North Central. Off street parking is also not too difficult for those who want to drive.

Shopping options are pretty basic; there are fast food restaurants along Broad Street as well as your basic corners stores, Chinese restaurants and discount stores. Anything else you’re going to have to travel a little further but nothing unbearable.

The neighborhood isn’t really a tourist attraction and while you can definitely find a “fixer-upper” for cheap North Central shouldn’t be the first on your list of areas to invest in. It still has a long way to go before it will be considered worthwhile.