LASmith

A South Philadelphia neighborhood, Passyunk Square is named for Passyunk Avenue which runs diagonally through the city. The awkward alignment of the streets in this neighborhood makes parking, as well as driving, a bit of a task.

In Passyunk Square there is shopping and restaurants everywhere. Privately owned shops, grocery stores, salons, pharmacies and other businesses line along East Passyunk Avenue. The neighborhood has many traditional Italian restaurants, pubs and B.Y.O.B.s.

There are many events along E. Passyunk Avenue such as Flavor of the Avenue, Second Saturdays and the Car Show & Street Festival.. These events feature Italian cuisines, shops, galleries and boutiques that can give you an individual style via home & garden, dress & accessories, and car & bike services. The most known event in the neighborhood that brings out people from all over the city and surrounding is the East Passyunk Restaurant Week which offers, at a fixed price, 3 course lunch and/or dinner at 21 award winning restaurants from the cozy B.Y.O.B.s to candlelit dining.

Passyunk Square is home of the great cheese steak battle of Philadelphia. While there are many establishments that create a "Philly Cheese Steak", Geno's and Pat's are the Philadelphia Kings of the food craft. This portion of the neighborhood is always filled with car and foot traffic.

Passyunk Square is split about 50/50 between longtime residents and new residents. The neighbors are generally in their 20's and 30's, singles and couples with full families sprinkled in. Regardless of age, nationality or religion, the people are pleasant and always willing to help.

The community of Passyunk Square has been involved in the creation of mosaics and murals in the area. There are also a couple of community gardens. The neighborhood's beautification project has planted over 700 trees in the area to add a little nature to the neighborhood. There is also a Town Watch that meet every second Saturday to discuss ways to continue to keep Passyunk Square safe.

Most homes are modern single-family 2- and 3-story houses, many of which are newly renovated. There are also townhouses and apartment complexes in the neighborhood for renters.

The neighborhood has 3 public schools run by the School District of Philadelphia. There is also a charter and private school in the area. The area has two recreational centers and an older adult center as well.

There is public transportation in and around Passyunk Square. SEPTA bus routes run through and the Broad Street Subway is in walking distance right outside the neighborhood, which can get you to other portions of the city. Driving can be a bit of a pain if you are not familiar with the area. There are bike lanes but they do not populate every block in the neighborhood.

Passyunk Square is a thriving neighborhood in Philadelphia. Its people and places make it a wonderful area to live.

Washington Square West name comes from the historical urban park within the area, Washington Square. The park is a part of the Independence National Historical Parks. This trendy neighborhood offers a diverse array of shops, restaurants and coffee houses. There are a few gym and yoga studios too.

The real estate is delightful including 2-, 3-, and 4-story rowhomes, townhouses, condos, and mid-rise apartments. Architecture includes gorgeous Victorian and Queen Anne Revival styles. There are also a gothic appeal to some of the homes.

There are five charter schools in the area, as well as two public schools. Day-cares are around the neighborhood for those not old enough for school. There are also art and language schools in the vicinity. The University of the Arts is a higher education facility in Washington Square West.

Public transportation runs in the neighborhood making it accessible to the rest of the city. Traffic can be a pain during the day and on weekends, which makes parking a nightmare. There are bike lanes on some of the streets if you like traveling this way. While there are many vehicular options, walking in Washington Square West is a must to breathe in the variety of people and places.

There is plenty to do regarding nightlife in the area. Washington Square West includes many clubs, bars, restaurants, and lounges. There are also shops that stay open late for the benefit of those out at night. The majority of these establishments are gay and lesbian friendly, as the "Gayborhood" is a part of the area, symbolized by the rainbow on city street signs.

Washington Square West is a stylish and popular neighborhood which is ideal for professional and contemporary individuals. With so many residential, commercial and service options, the neighborhood is a diversely occupied place. For this reason Washington Square West is a desirable destination.

South Philadelphia, better known as South Philly, is a melting pot of nationalities. The community consists of Italian-, Irish-, Mexican-, Asian- and African-Americans. The area becomes more and more diverse with each passing year, making it ideal for those who love to be in a multicultural neighborhood.

Interstate 76 and 95, as well as the Schuylkill Expressway are easily accessible. There are also two bridges that lead to New Jersey. Public transportation is abundant in and around South Philly, with the Broad Street Subway right in the area. There are bike lanes on most streets if you prefer to travel in that way.

South Philly's homes vary in styles. There are townhouses, traditional family homes, and row homes. Lately newly built contemporary mansions and condos have popped up in the neighborhood. The property values vary from average income to wealthy.

The School District of Philadelphia has four public school in the area which includes the prestigious CAPA High School (Creative And Performing Arts). The neighborhood also has one Charter and two private schools in the vicinity. The Free Library of Philadelphia operates six branches in South Philly.

Philadelphia's Sports' Complex is the pinnacle of South Philly. All the facilities for major and minor sports teams in Philadelphia reside in this area. It is also the locale of the annual Wing Bowl. Over the past year there has been an addition to the complex in Xfinity Live, where fans who don't have tickets can go and watch the games in a posh setting.

Aside from an awesome Sportsplex, South Philly has an amazing nightlife. There are bars, restaurants, and lounges throughout the area. A few night clubs scatter the neighborhood as well.

This neighborhood hold a lot of history and has been home to many notable musicians, politicians, artists actors and actresses. It is a perfect place for growing families.

Society Hill was named for the Free Society of Traders whose offices resided on a hill on Front Street in the 18th century.The neighborhood seems to remain stuck in the 18th- or 19th-century with its cobblestone streets and the architecture being that of a Federal and Georgian style. The group for which Society Hill was named may be long gone however, the name has become more synonymous with high society.

Many of the homes are historically significant to the neighborhood and are only sold to those who promise to restore and preserve the designs. The area also includes modern homes which blend into the historical nature of the neighborhood. Condominium high-rises bring you back to the reality of the 21st-century.

There are plenty of things to do and see in Society Hill. Notable sites are Independence Mall, the Merchants' Exchange and the Betsy Ross House. It's nice to just take a carriage ride through the neighborhood and take in the history. Or maybe go see a show in the historic David Garrick Hall at the Society Hill Playhouse.

The School District of Philadelphia zones children to two schools, one of which is inside Society Hill. There are two private schools in the vicinity. Society Hill also has a number of day-cares and preschools for smaller children.

There are a few medical facilities in Society Hill. One of the city' best veterinarians for pet needs is stationed here.

In Society Hill the traffic can be very annoying. Due to the horrendous nature of some of the streets it makes getting around nerve-racking. The streets are regularly repaved, but because of all the traffic and constant erosion, the repaving doesn't last long. Public transportation is close by with a couple of bus routes and the Market-Frankford Line.

Society Hill is a lovely neighborhood with an old- and new- city feel that can put you into a trance. The neighbors are cordial, the architecture is divine and the history is rich. A perfect place to be.

Bella Vista is a wonderful little neighborhood and actually the first to be settled in by Italian immigrants. The community has a very Italian feel to it even to this day.

One of the features of Bella Vista is the Italian Market. It is America's oldest outdoor market. There are bakeries, cafes, grocery and meat markets within this truly amazing place. It's actually quite gratifying to take your time and look through all the possible items for an authentic Italian meal.

Shopping in Bella Vista is not limited to the Italian Market. Bookstores, stationary stores, flower, gift, antique and art & crafts shops can be found throughout the neighborhood.

The Italian Market has one of the largest festivals once a year. Those who have experienced this festival suggest it to anyone who will listen. The other major festival is the Bella Vista Festival which features arts & crafts. The festivities show two major components of the Bella Vista area - Italian culture and art & crafts.

The neighborhood also has a few parks. You can find several different means of recreation such as bocce, baseball, and basketball. There's also some pretty awesome outdoor concerts during the summer. It makes for a great time with the family.

The homes in Bella Vista are of many styles. Most houses are 2- and 3-story row homes. Some are of their original architecture but some have been renovated to have a more modern feel. There are apartments above and around the different shops. A loft is another way to go, giving renters/buyers a variety to choose from.

The School District of Philadelphia zone students to 3 schools that accommodate K-8 graders. There is, however, only one high school.

Transportation is a tad bit dicey. With only a few buses on tight schedules in and around the area traveling to other parts of the city is tough, but not impossible. Having a car would actually be better, but because most residents think like this, parking is hard to come by any time of the day.

If you think the Spring and Summer concerts and festival are the only thing to do in Bella Vista, you are sadly mistaken. The nightlife in the neighborhood is cool. Restaurants, dive bars, lounges, and pubs can make for an interesting evening.

Bella Vista is a nice area with a neighborly spirit. The hustle and bustle of the market can be unnerving sometimes, but it allows for coming in contact with a variety of different people in and around the neighborhood. There is a subtle excitement that makes living here a enticing.

Named after entrepreneur Stephen Girard, Girard Estate is what became of his 6 million dollar will left to the City of Philadelphia. He made the city promise to not only create a college for poor white boys, but to also not knock down his home. Somewhere around 480 houses were built around his estate and stayed in the city's possession for quite some time. Once the city released the sale of homes to private owners the neighborhood became what it is today.

The neighborhood features historical and non-historical areas. The architecture outside the historical portion of Girard Estate is held to two-story brick homes. Inside the historical realm, are semi-detached homes of many styles such as Bungalow, Prairie and Mission. Homeowners must follow strict guidelines set by the city to preserve the aesthetics of these homes.

There are three schools within the neighborhood - G.A.M.P. (Girard Academic Music Program), St. Monica's and Senior School. These include a diverse amount of students even though the neighborhood is a little less diverse.

There are SEPTA routes that run in and around the neighborhood but they are all on a very tight schedule. Girard Estate is not as accessible as other neighborhoods in the city. Traffic is always steady through the area and parking is somewhat unusual with some blocks allowing cars to park diagonally instead of parallel.

There are many restaurants and bars around the area to enjoy a night out. The plus is the authentic Italian food in this predominantly Italian-American community. There are, however, many other styles of food and drink in the neighborhood.

Girard Estate is a suburb within a city. The residents are very close knit and anyone who doesn't live there already can be viewed as an outsider. However, the neighborhood is worth the possible curious eyes you may get at first. Once you're there, it's easy to find a way to fit in. Just make sure you brush up on your Italian.

If you've reached the Friendship Gate, you have arrived in Chinatown. The gate, located at 10th and Arch Streets, was the first Chinese gate built in America in 1984. It was a joint project between Philadelphia and the Chinese sister city Tianjin, with all the materials brought over from China.

Chinatown in Philadelphia is a lot smaller than in most cities. No matter how small it may seem though, it is still a place where you feel like you've left Philadelphia and entered another world.

One of the best things about Chinatown is the food. With cuisines from all around Asia, there is always a new food to try and the dishes are well worth it. There are also grocery stores with products imported straight from China to give you the proper ingredients to make your own meals right at home.

The streets of Chinatown are a constant tourist trip. Bright and breathtaking art and sculptures done by Chinese artisans line the entire neighborhood. There are tons of gift and specialty shops where you can pick up trinkets to share your experiences with friends and family.

If you've had a long work week and are in need of some serious TLC, Chinatown is a great place to be. Some of the best massage parlors in the city reside in this neighborhood. They always make sure that you leave with a smile across your face and stress rolling right off your back.

There are two schools within the bounds of Chinatown, one Catholic and one Charter. If you are looking for a public school, the School District of Philadelphia zones children to schools in surrounding neighborhoods.

Bus routes around the area, as well as Market East Train, makes transportation a breeze. Parking is available through lots and garages around the neighborhood. There is street parking but it is limited due to the Gallery shopping mall and the Convention Center. This also makes for more foot traffic around the neighborhood.

Living in Chinatown consists of studios and apartments above many of the shops. There are also beautiful row homes with crafted arched doorways. All are generally spacious and you always know Asian culture is right outside your door.

Chinatown is a wonderful area especially if you are the type of person who loves learning about different countries and cultures. There is a lesson with each step you take.

Logan Square, also known as Logan Circle, was originally an open space park named after Philadelphia statesman James Logan. The area was a part of William Penn's plans for 5 square shaped parks, however it formed into a circle when the Ben Franklin Parkway was constructed. Hence, why the area technically has two names.

Logan Square features some of Philadelphia's most famous structures. These buildings are home to museums, libraries, schools, and a court. They include, but are not limited to, the Franklin Institute, Moore College of Art & Design, the Free Library of Philadelphia, and the Academy of Natural Sciences.

New paths have been constructed in and around the park area to make it better accessible to pedestrians. It's a nice place for a walk. Also, within the park portion several fountains make up Logan Square and add a bonus to living in the area. One of the high schools actually has a ritual of jumping into one of the fountains to commemorate the end of the school year. It's really something to see.

There are public and catholic schools that surround the area, but there are only 2 charter schools within the bounds of Logan Square. Also, for higher learning, there are film, art, design and beauty schools. A couple of the art schools actually offer courses to the public at certain times during the year.

Living in Logan Square means dwelling in either a contemporary condo that looks out onto the Square or a modern/contemporary single family home right on the street level. It can be quite expensive considering Logan Square's location in the city.

The nightlife is one that will peek anyone's interest. There are an abundance of taverns, bar & grills, lounges and pubs. The crowds are very diverse so its bound to be an amazing experience.

Considering that Logan Square is at the end of the Ben Franklin Parkway and leads into the city, traffic can be somewhat problematic. The nighttime to early morning hours are the quietest, if you can call it that. Parking is very hard to come by unless you want to pay for it. Most high-rises are equipped with garages though.

This area is happening with the beauty and history during the day and gorgeous lighting and parties at night. Regardless if you call it a square or a circle, the neighborhood is a place to learn something new everyday.

Point Breeze was once an abandoned neighborhood as of a few years ago and had a substantial decline in population. In recent years, however, this neighborhood has begun to thrive once again.

Point Breeze Avenue is a sort of median of the neighborhood which runs awkwardly diagonal and is seemingly random to any new comers. There used to be many vacant and trash strewn lots, but these have been cleaned and made into structures that make the residents proud. This stretch now holds many businesses such as grocery stores, beauty/barber shops, and cleaners/laundrymats. There are also places of worship for many different religions.

The businesses are not the only construction projects in the area. Many of the once dilapidated houses have seen a recent makeover. Some of the 2-story row homes have been torn down and replaced with 3-story contemporary residences. Empty lots have also become lofts as well as beautiful modern homes. The new construction has not only built up the neighborhood but has caused the property value to gradually rise.

The neighborhood includes 3 public schools, 1 catholic and 1 charter school for families with school-age children. As a portion of Point Breeze runs along "The Avenue of the Arts" stretch of Broad Street, The Art Institute of Philadelphia is the abode for higher education.

Transportation is not a problem. Buses run in and around the neighborhood. The Broad Street Subway is also accessible which allows for travel to other parts of the city. Parking is pretty good considering most of the new homes include garages so there is more room for parking on the street. Traffic isn't too much of a problem through the neighborhood but is quite hectic along the edge on Broad Street.

There is somewhat of a nightlife in Point Breeze, with bars scattered here and there in the neighborhood. A couple of cool lounges lie on the Broad Street edge.

Many people only know the past rumors about Point Breeze, which did not include stellar reviews. This makes folks a little wary about moving to this area. However, all the time and effort that has been going into making Point Breeze a nice place to live has been well worth it.