Spruce Hill

Nestled just west of the University of Pennsylvania, Spruce Hill is as its name sounds: plenty of hills and numerous spruce trees. It is a bedroom community for students, faculty, staff, and medical personnel. Pennsylvania Presbyterian, Children’s Hospital, The Wistar Institute, Penn’s Hospital, Dental and Medical School are nearby. Walking or biking gives you access as well as trolley lines and bus routes. In a word, transportation is great!

Clark Park sits in the center of the community and serves as a gathering area for concerts, flea markets, or other outdoor activities. Periodically, the Philadelphia Orchestra will host a special concert in the natural arena.

The Gold Standard, a premier restaurant is located at 48th and Baltimore Avenue. At 40th and Spruce, Cream and Sugar provides treats for the sweet tooth.

Community groups are very active and very vocal when necessary. They sponsor block cleanups, public safety initiatives, and activities for youth. The University City District patrols the area by car, on bikes and by foot supporting the Philadelphia Police.

The West Philly Tool Library located on Woodland Avenue provides tools for house renovations on a lending basis and UC Green focuses on maintaining the green trees and shrubbery throughout the area.

Spruce Hill is a neighborhood that has been taken over by students due to its proximity to the University of Penn and Drexel University. At one time it was a relatively inexpensive neighborhood which is was part of the attraction to students. But eventually realtors caught on and the property value increased.

Many of the large homes in Spruce Hill have been converted into apartments or rented out to groups of individuals, mostly college students. You can also find young professionals and small families living in this area as well. But it makes sense that it’s an attractive area to students, it’s close to campus and close to bars and restaurants. Not to mention off street parking is available and public transportation is easily accessible. Students do not have to travel far from campus or home to meet their needs.

Spruce Hill is also surrounded by other really great West Philly neighborhoods like Cedar Park and West Powelton which makes it an excellent location. Clark Park is within walking distance as is Baltimore Avenue where there are several shops and restaurants.

The ethnically diverse neighborhood though increasing in rent prices is still doable compared to other neighborhoods in the University City district. You just have to look around for the deals.

Spruce Hill, located in West Philadelphia, is one of the most ethnically diverse in the area. It is bound by 40th Street to the east, 46th Street to the west, Market Street to the north and Woodland Avenue to the south.
Out of the 16,000 people that live there, most come from an eclectic range of ethnicities. Many African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, and Caucasians live there. Spruce Hill is seeing more and more students move to the area since its close proximity to Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania.
One of the main draws of the area is Clark Park, a 9.1 acre park located on Woodland Avenue and 43rd Street. It is one of the nicer parks in West Philly and is a popular spot to go during the winter because it offers perfect hills for sledding.
Spruce Hill does not offer many shopping opportunities but they do have some terrific bars, including Mill Creek Tavern which hosts live bands throughout the week.
It is recommended that you get a bike or car if you choose to move to Spruce Hill because everything is spread out. Public transportation is also available and includes SEPTA buses and trolleys.