Drexelbrook

If you're looking for a place to spend a lifetime ringing in the New Year, what better place than Drexelbrook, the hometown of Dick Clark, the legendary host of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve? One can only imagine Clark enjoyed the suburb's leafy small-town vibe and neighborly community.

This quaint section of Delaware County's Drexel Hill isn't your cookie-cutter neighborhood. The diverse architecture makes Drexelbrook a one-of-a-kind place to live. You have lots of single-family homes, including stunning Tudors with beautiful stone siding. The arts-and-crafts bungalows are also an eclectic feature of the neighborhood. These single-family homes start at around $300,000 and have fetched up to $750,000, with the average price falling in the $500,000 range.

According to Realtor John Gallagher of RE/MAX, you get a great house for a good value, with similar homes in nearby neighborhoods selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars more. If your wallet is a bit tighter, several row houses and twins in the neighborhood cost anywhere from $200,000 to $300,000. Gallagher, who has lived in the area most of his life, says, "A lot of people who grow up here don't leave. It's hard to leave because it's a friendly atmosphere, making it a great place to raise a family." Because of this, homes don't go on the market very often, but when they do, Gallagher says they sell fast, so you need to be on the lookout.

Drexelbrook takes great pride in its community, with residents supporting longtime local businesses. "Hardware stores, hairdressers; there are so many businesses that have been here for decades," says Gallagher. Since 1966, locals have been dining at Paul Revere Pizza House, known for its pizza, cheesesteaks and hot roast pork sandwich. For groceries, you can head to the family-owned Sangillo's Farm Fresh Produce & Deli, a community fixture since 1984. Drexelbrook and the rest of Upper Darby Township also pay their respects to local service members and veterans through the Hometown Heroes Military Tribute Banner Program. You'll see tributes to current and former military members spread all across town as a way to thank them for their service.

There's a lot of interesting history in Drexelbrook, from 1600 settlers to popular 1960s television programs. It's where Clark began his famous role on American Bandstand, hosting the rock-and-roll show at The Drexelbrook, which is still in use today as a special events venue. Around the same time, musician Jim Croce, who grew up in the neighborhood, was topping the charts with hits like "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" and "Time in a Bottle."

Speaking of time: If you were to rewind to 1650, you'd find Swedish/Finnish immigrants settled in the area living in log cabins. Lower Swedish Cabin still stands today and is considered by some to be the oldest cabin in the United States. You'll find it along the Darby Creek Trail, a beautiful, woodsy pathway with scenic views of the rushing Oakview Falls. Also near the trail is Kent Dog Park, where your dogs can roam free while you relax under the pavilion. It's not just for dogs, though. There's a playground as well for kids to enjoy.

Students begin their studies at Garrettford Elementary School, rated a C+ by Niche. They go on to C-rated Drexel Hill Middle School, which feeds into Upper Darby High School. The high school has an overall B grade from Niche and is known for its stellar performing arts program. It has definitely paid off for students like comedian and writer Tina Fey, who wrote and acted in the famous "Mean Girls" flick, loosely inspired by her time at the high school.

Drexelbrook is an ideal place for those who want to live in the suburbs while having an easy commute to Center City Philadelphia, just an 8-mile drive from the neighborhood. You can also hop on a SEPTA train, which will take you on a 15-minute ride to 69th Street Transportation Center in Upper Darby. From there, you can hop on SEPTA's Market-Frankford line for a 20-minute trip to Center City.

Written By

Nicolas Stuart

Photography Contributed By

Jesse Roehrer

Video By

Matt Pangman