Are you renting in Philadelphia? If so, you couldn’t have chosen a better place!
The city is a cultural melting pot with a vibrant spirit, delicious food, and plenty of recreational options.
Still, it’s hard to choose the perfect spot to rent. There’s an embarrassment of riches with seemingly too many favorable living options. After all, Philadelphia is home to enough viable communities to earn the fitting moniker of “the city of neighborhoods.”
Be mindful that you must balance your budget, lifestyle, and day-to-day needs when renting in Philadelphia.
One area that might tick all the above boxes while inspiring your imagination is the Fairmount neighborhood. Below, we’ll shed light on this gorgeous section of the city of brotherly love.
Fairmount gets its name from the hill on which the Philadelphia Art Museum sits.
During its infancy, under the name Faire Mount, the neighborhood gained notoriety for housing the reservoir fed by the nation’s first municipal waterworks. The Philadelphia Art Museum’s base incorporates some of the reservoir’s walls to this day.
Modern-day Fairmount’s roots date back to the mid-19th century as the city expanded. Nowadays, the neighborhood is lined with anything between elaborate mansions and modest row homes.
Renting a 1-bedroom apartment in Fairmount costs–on average–$1,665 per month. A 2-bedroom apartment costs $2,125 on average. Additionally, recent statistics show 102 apartments for rent in the neighborhood.
An Environmental Haven
A crucial strong point of Fairmount is its well-earned status as the greenest part of the city. The neighborhood is a short walking distance from the Schuylkill River Trail, where you’ll enjoy running, cycling, or hiking over a 26-mile stretch. Fairmount Park is one of the nation’s largest urban green spaces, with over 9,200 acres of woodlands, wetlands, and trails.
A Eutopia For Foodies
If eating out is essential to your lifestyle, Fairmount might be where you’ve always wanted to live. The neighborhood is chockful of exceptional restaurants that don’t cost a fortune. There are plentiful options for a delicious burger, next-level sushi, otherworldly pizza, and everything in between.
Many delectable, affordable sit-down options can be found in Fairmount if you’re in the mood for Italian, Mexican, American, Moroccan, Thai, Greek, Ethiopian, and much more. You’ll also have your pick of more laid-back cafes and eateries.
Here are some places to check out:
You can bring your own beer, wine, and liquor to many of the neighborhood’s restaurants. Also, the average Fairmount entree costs $5 to $10 less than in Center City.
For the budget-conscious renter who wants to eat in, there’s a Whole Foods, Klein’s Supermarket, Aldi, and other corner stores (e.g., Almonte Food Market) in and around the neighborhood. There are also specialty grocers like Tela’s Market and Kitchen.
Located Near Temple University
Temple University is about two miles from the Fairmount neighborhood. You can walk, drive, or take the Girard Trolley. You can also take your bicycle, which takes less than 15 minutes.
Plenty Of Culture And Activities In The Neighborhood
You’re a short walk away from the Philadelphia Art Museum if you rent in Fairmount. You’re also near the Barnes Foundation, the Franklin Institute, the Penitentiary, and the Rodin Museum.
Furthermore, you’re close to the Philadelphia Zoo (the country's first-ever zoo). If you have children, the Please Touch Museum is a fun place to spend the afternoon with them.
Most of these museums–and the zoo–host events on weekday nights for young professionals.
A Central Hub For Big Events
If you like feeling like you’re part of something, Fairmount is an excellent place to live.
90% of the time, large gatherings like races and concerts happen right by the Art Museum’s steps. This feature allows you to participate in significant events (e.g., the Philadelphia Marathon, Made In America Music Festival) without fully committing to them.
Convenient Location Relative To The Rest Of Philadelphia
With easily accessible public transportation, you can get in and out of the neighborhood seamlessly. Cyclists and walkers can enjoy beautiful, scenic routes along Kelly Drive. Plus, you can venture out on a walk to Center City if it’s a particularly lovely day.
Fairmount is an incredible place to live and fits into a student's budget while catering to young professionals.
Experienced renters in Fairmount stress the benefit of a roommate if renting in the neighborhood. While many four-bedroom homes and apartments are available, not as many studios or one-bedroom options exist. That’s unless you’re okay with a large apartment building–but these are typically more expensive.
