$674,939Average Value$393Average Price per Sq Ft84Homes For Sale
Walkable suburb with Philly energy
Southwest Center City goes by many nicknames, including Graduate Hospital – or G-Ho – and South of South – or So-So. While there are many different ways to refer to this 12-block stretch of walkable streets, there’s typically one way to describe it: Revitalized. South Street, where some of the city’s biggest festivals take place, and the popular walking trail along the Schuylkill River breathe fresh air into the neighborhood. Residents are also conveniently located near the University of Pennsylvania and its extension of hospitals, just across the river. “A lot of doctors and business professionals move here,” says Morgan Rodriguez, a neighborhood local and Realtor with OFC Realty. “They will just walk right across the bridge to get to the hospital.” But anyone who wants proximity to the excitement of the city will appreciate life in Southwest City City. While the neighborhood offers its own local dining, Subway access and community events, the iconic commercial district around Rittenhouse Square is just blocks away.
Classic rowhomes and modern condos
Throughout much of Southwest Center City are three-story, nineteenth and twentieth-century rowhomes, some with brick exteriors and others with more Italianate influences. “The older brick rowhomes in this area are very classically Philly,” says Rodriguez. Many of these established homes have well-preserved exteriors with renovated interiors, so residents can appreciate the historic architecture while enjoying modern living. Blended among the residential streets are townhomes with Second Empire architecture and contemporary condos, many with attached garages and rooftop decks that provide stunning views of the Center City skyline. A block of properties might range from a humble one-bedroom and two-bathroom unit to a spacious four-bedroom and five-bathroom unit. Prices also reflect this range, starting just below $300,000 and rising to upwards of $1.8 million.
Barhopping on South Street
Though the east side of South Street toward Broad Street has long been the go-to spot for local pubs and trendy restaurants, the west side has been gaining a lot of traction. Cafes, bars and boutiques have recently set up shop along Southwest Center City’s pedestrian-friendly streets, making it the new place to be. Residents can head to Cafe Ynez for Mexican-inspired breakfast, lunch or dinner in a vibrant diner. Nearby, the Sidecar Bar & Grille is a gastropub with brunch specials. The day out can continue at Dock Street Brewery South, where the craft beer menu rotates, and the kitchen whips up pizza and burgers. There are many corner markets around town, including The Fresh Grocer of Grays Ferry and South Square Market. More grocery options aren’t far to the north, where there’s a Trader Joe’s and a Sprouts right next to a Target. This walkable commercial area provides a broader shopping and dining experience, with The Shops at Liberty Place and a variety of restaurants and bars.
Scenic walks on the Schuylkill River Trail
Southwest City City is home to the Marian Anderson Recreation Center, where residents can work out inside, swim in the outdoor pool and play on the playground, basketball courts and baseball field. Another recreation center in the neighborhood is Christian Street YMCA, just a block away. Athletes and families alike might opt for an adventure at Chew Playground, where there are also athletic courts and fields that host recreation leagues. When looking to escape the urban streets of the city, locals can leash up their dogs and make their way to the green and sculpture-filled Schuylkill River Park to access the trail along the river. “It’s close enough to walk to the trail from the neighborhood,” says Jim Robertson, a Realtor with OCF Realty. “It’s usually pretty crowded with bikers and runners.” A few blocks to the north, Rittenhouse Square is an iconic city park in the middle of a bustling retail district that hosts the Rittenhouse Farmers Market.
Philadelphia art and UPenn architecture
Artistic locals scratch their creative itch at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. On the east side of Southwest Center City, this venue features eclectic mosaics and folksy art exhibits in both an outdoor and indoor space. On the other side of town across the Schuylkill River, residents can also admire the intricate architecture of the University of Pennsylvania's campus. The buildings on the grounds of this Ivy League school show Gothic-era styles dating back to the 1700s.
The Odunde Festival and Bloktoberfest
“Southwest Center City has a great sense of community. It’s very family-friendly and diverse,” Rodriguez says. This connection is celebrated every year when the neighborhood comes together for two major events on South Street. The Odunde Festival is a vibrant celebration of African culture with food, music, dancing and vendors and has been running strong for decades. Bloktoberfest is another exciting event that lines the street with residents enjoying live music, food trucks and vendors.
City public schools and private institutions
Students can attend the public Chester A. Arthur School for kindergarten through eighth grade, which offers an 11-1 student-teacher ratio and a B-minus grade from Niche. A nearby private elementary and middle school option is The Philadelphia School, which Niche grades an A-plus. For a public high school, students can advance to Universal Audenried Charter School, which Niche grades a C and ranks among the Best Public High Schools for Athletes in Pennsylvania. Private high school options include Saints Neumann Goretti, a Catholic school with an A-minus Niche grade.
Riding on the SEPTA
Residents can get around town using the SEPTA Subway system, with the Lombard-South and Ellsworth-Federal stations on the east end of the neighborhood. The SEPTA bus also services the town and the surrounding Philadelphia metro area. To leave the city easily, Interstate 76 is accessible just west on the other side of the Schuylkill River.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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Southwest Center City Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Southwest Center City, Philadelphia sell after 51 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Southwest Center City, Philadelphia over the last 12 months is $596,750, down 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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