Paschall

Known as "Africatown," Philadelphia's Paschall neighborhood is a dynamic cultural area uplifting its vibrant, diverse community. "This is a hugely diverse area where homes don't offer as much land, but that's resulted in a major price drop compared to other areas of Philly," says Realtor Khalid Aleem.

You'll find classic Philly row houses here, inviting an opportunity to invest. While you'll find some units already refurbished, you can easily transform your home into a dream living space. There are also condos created from row houses and town houses available to buy, offering various options for your budget. Prices in the community range from $80,000 to $200,000 for most homes, but you'll also find some multifamily investment opportunities ranging from $250,000 to $500,000.

Students in the area attend schools within the Philadelphia School District, including Catharine Elementary School. Rated above average for student progress on Great Schools, students can access project-based STEM and literacy classes to ensure student success. Tilden Middle School, which scored a B on its Niche overall report card, also uses project-based curricula for its students. The school is also known for offering a Parent Cafe with Turning Points, where parents and community members meet to discuss and plan the betterment of their community. At Bartram High School, which scored a B for diversity on Niche, students can participate in the school's College Access Program. The program advises students, assists them with financial aid and scholarship resources and helps them set post-graduation goals and explore career options.

Getting outside is made easy with the neighborhood's proximity to public green spaces like McCreesh Playground and Skatepark. This expansive park has a large, grassy field with a paved walking loop, basketball courts, a skate park and a play area for the community's youngest residents. Connell Park is another favorite for outdoor recreation. You'll find large, picnic-perfect shaded areas, a playground and sports courts. If you want to get closer to the nearby Schuylkill River, visit Bartram's Gardens. Established in 1728 by John Bartram, the land has historic structures and acres of gardens, orchards and meadows that offer scenic views of the river and the city skyline.

Located just five miles from Center City, the neighborhood makes commuting for work or traveling for entertainment easy. You can drive or take the city's public transport. There are multiple stops for the SEPTA bus's Green Line in the community, and you're only a 20-minute ride to the nearest El train station.

As you walk down Woodland Avenue, the fragrant scents of jollof rice and potato greens simmering in palm oil invite you to stay a while. The area is a cultural hub for communities from Nigeria, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Ghana and many other African and Caribbean locales. You'll find locally owned businesses, grocery stores and restaurants that have garnered attention. One is Le Mandigue, a Nigerian restaurant that serves classic dishes like rich peanut butter soup and crispy red snapper. These gathering spaces aren't just for eating but are also for connecting with family, friends and neighbors. The Phila Africatown Organization is working to uplift the nearly 500 businesses in the area and develop spaces that support the dynamic, vibrant community of Africatown and its residents. The organization plans to establish a performing arts center, a cultural center and an innovation center to help celebrate and shed more light on Africatown.

With its dynamic, tight-knit community, well-rated schools and investment opportunities, Africatown is a neighborhood to watch.

Written By

Micaela Green

Photography Contributed By

Jesse Roehrer

Video By

Houston Knight