Check Out These Best Neighborhoods in Philadelphia for Families

Philadelphia — or “Philly” — is not just an attractive place for tourists; it also boasts plenty of lovely areas that are perfect for families. In fact, some of the perks that stand out about the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia for families include plenty of diversity, an affordable cost of living, and numerous family-friendly activities (that involve learning about some fascinating U.S. history, of course). 

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Parents can easily find job opportunities in fields like finance and technology; however, education and healthcare are the most common industries to land a job, due to the number of schools and hospitals within the area. And, for the kids, there are several highly rated public schools, not to mention top-notch higher-education institutions local to Philly, including the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, and Villanova University. 

But which neighborhoods are the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia for families? Check out our top choices (along with a few standout suburbs) below.

Philadelphia at a Glance

• Philly has an approximate population of 1,567,300.
• 21.5 percent of Philly’s population is under the age of 18.
• Affordable homes are one of Philly’s best perks, as the average home value is just around $212,300.
• The average monthly rent in Philly for a one-bedroom apartment is around $1,875.
• Philadelphia is great for diversity, history, educational opportunities, family-friendly neighborhoods and family-friendly activities.

Best Neighborhoods in Philadelphia for Families — FAQs

Q: Is Philly a good place to raise a family?
A: Yes. There are several family-friendly neighborhoods that offer plenty of fun activities, such as Queen Village, Fitler Square, Germany Hill, Bella Vista, and Chestnut Hill. 

Q: What is the safest part of Philadelphia?
A: Berwyn and Chesterbrook are considered to be the safest parts of Philly. 

Q: What is the best part of Philadelphia to live in?
A: According to Niche, Fitler Square is the best neighborhood to live in Philadelphia.

Q: What is the richest part of Philadelphia?
A: With an average home price well above the majority of other communities local to Philly, Berwyn is considered to be one of the richest parts of Philadelphia.

Queen Village in Philadelphia, PA 
Source: The Cherise Wynne Team

Best Family Neighborhoods in Philadelphia 

When choosing a Philly neighborhood for your family, you’ll want to focus on those that offer a strong sense of community, quality education, a safe environment, and plenty of family-friendly activities. Start your search with this list of our top choices for the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia for families.

1. Queen Village

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,525
• Average home value: $529,800
• Great for: Eating, shopping, outdoor recreation, diversity, safety

South of Center City is where you can find the quaint neighborhood of Queen Village. (Fun fact: Queen Village was Philadelphia’s very first neighborhood.) It’s known for its variety of local places to eat and shop, but families living in Queen Village also enjoy excellent spots for outdoor recreation.

For example, when it comes to food, there’s the Famous 4th Street Delicatessen. Residents also rave about Jim’s South Street and Bistrot La Minette. When you’re in the mood to shop, South Street is where you can find fun stores such as Retrospect and Eye’s Gallery. And when the family is in need of some active time outdoors, you can reserve a riverside hammock lounge at Spruce Street Harbor Park or explore Weccacoe Playground. 

2. Fitler Square

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,750
• Average home value: $737,800
• Great for: Outdoor recreation, European flair, safety, commute

Ranked as both the best neighborhood to live and raise a family in Philadelphia by Niche, Fitler Square is located within Center City and has its own unique European flair. Cobblestone streets fill this neighborhood, and the streets are lined with shops, cafes, bistros, and more. 

Because Fitler Square is bordered by the Schuylkill River, residents of this neighborhood have easy access to the Schuylkill River Park, which includes a dog park, community recreation center, and various courts for sports like tennis and basketball. 

And if you’re looking for safe places to live in Philadelphia, Fitler Square should be on your shortlist. Both property and violent crimes are much lower than other surrounding communities and even neighborhoods nationwide. 

3. Germany Hill

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,475
• Median home sale value: $348,000
• Great for: Outdoor recreation, dining, safety, diversity, commute

Germany Hill is one of the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia for families that enjoy some peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Peace and quiet doesn’t mean there’s a lack of fun, though. Families love to participate in holiday festivities, like an Easter egg hunt in the spring or Christmas Carols in the winter at Gorgas Park, or get in some pickleball, tennis, or baseball at General Wayne Park. And did you know Germany Hill has more residents of Hungarian and Polish ancestry than any other community in America?

When it comes to food, whether you’re looking for a dine-in experience or something quick, Germany Hill has it. Unity Taqueria, for example, serves up some quality tacos, and Chubby’s is a can’t-miss. 

And as one of the safest areas to stay in Philadelphia, Germany Hill has an impressive “A” crime & safety rating, according to Niche. That means you have a very slim chance of encountering any property or violent crime while living in Germany Hill. 

4. Bella Vista

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,500
• Average home value: $476,100
• Great for: Italian heritage, restaurants, cultural institutions, safety

Bella Vista is a Philly neighborhood that’s proud to show off its Italian heritage. In fact, you can find the freshest Italian food at the local 9th Street Italian Market, an open-air marketplace with fantastic produce and other local goods. Bella Vista also features some fascinating cultural institutions that are ideal for all ages to explore, including Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens and the Fleisher Art Memorial, which hosts unique art galleries. And Bella Vista may not have as high of a crime & safety rating as Germany Hill and Fitler Square; however, both property and violent crimes taking place in this area occur much less than other surrounding communities.

Chestnut Hill in Philadelphia, PA
Source: Alisha Miranda via Alisha in the Biz

5. Chestnut Hill

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,750
• Average home value: $742,800
• Great for: Greenery, outdoor space, community events, art exhibits, safety

Situated in the northwest section of Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill is one of the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia for families with a prime location near Fairmount Park and the Wissahickon and Cresheim creeks. Along with plenty of greenery and open space to explore, you can also find plenty of historic mansions and Victorian twin and row homes.

Besides taking walks and staying active at Fairmount Park during the summer, families living in Chestnut Hill enjoy bonding at the annual outdoor concert series at Pastorius Park. And the Woodmere Art Museum and Borrelli’s Chestnut Hill Gallery are the best spots to explore some picturesque regional art. 

6. Chesterbrook, PA

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,175
• Average home value: $470,600
• Great for: Outdoor recreation, safety, housing, public schools

There’s something extraordinary about the Philly suburb of Chesterbrook, as it’s not only one of the best suburbs in Philadelphia, but it’s also currently ranked as the best place to live in the entire country by Niche! Even better? Chesterbrook is especially family-friendly, considering the amount of outdoor recreation and other kid-friendly attractions that are nearby.

Wilson Farm Park, for example, is an ideal place for families to stay active during the warmer months, as it covers nearly 100 acres and includes a sand volleyball court, an all-abilities  playground, and pavilions perfect for hosting outdoor events. Another can’t-miss spot is the Picket Post Swim Club, the place to go for family-friendly swimming. You can also engage with other members of the community here at the variety of social events hosted. 

And if being in one of the safest areas in Philadelphia is your priority, then it’s important to know that Chesterbrook is safer than 89 percent of the country! 

7. Ardmore, PA

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,200
• Average home value: $451,700
• Great for: Outdoor recreation, dining options, public schools, housing, jobs

The Philly suburb of Ardmore is best known for its bustling business atmosphere, as well as plenty of family-friendly activities and some of the best dining options around. Beautiful day out? Look no further than Vernon V. Young Memorial Park for the best sports facilities and plenty of space to enjoy a picnic. 

And if you’re in the mood for a bite to eat, Ardmore offers up restaurants that suit just about any taste palette. El Limon, for example, is a go-to local Mexican restaurant that features everything from quesabirrias to churros. Not Your Average Joe’s, on the other hand, offers a delectable menu of entrees like teriyaki-glazed salmon and chicken parmesan. 

The Lower Merion School District serves Ardmore and has an impressive A+ rating on Niche, as well as many great reviews. 

Berwyn, PA 
Source: Zillow.com

8. Berwyn, PA

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,975
• Average home value: $823,000
• Great for: Outdoor recreation, theater, public schools

Similar to the suburb of Chesterbrook, residents residing in the Philly suburb of Berwyn are situated close to some of the city’s top outdoor recreation spots, including Wilson Farm Park. Footlighters Theater, which has been around for close to 100 years and features shows for both adults and kids, is another highlight of this area. 

The A-rated Tredyffrin-Easttown School District serves this area, and it’s currently ranked as the second best school district in Pennsylvania, according to Niche. Berwyn is also one of the safest places to live in Philadelphia, as it’s estimated to be safer than nearly 70 percent of other communities throughout the U.S.

Let PODS Help With Your Philadelphia Move

When you've found your dream home in one of the best family neighborhoods in Philadelphia, let the experts at PODS help you get there. They’ll deliver a portable storage container right to your driveway, and they’ll take it to your new home when you’re ready to hit the road. PODS City Services can also take away the hassle of navigating those tight Philly streets! And the best part is that one month of storage is included in the deal, so you can easily get organized without feeling rushed!

Editor’s note: For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100.