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West Bayfront

West Bayfront

Neighborhood in Erie, Pennsylvania

Erie County 16501, 16502, 16507

$136,807 Average Value
$106 Average Price per Sq Ft
7 Homes For Sale

Historic homes and bay views worth appreciating

To most Erieites, the west side of town is desirable for its recreational, retail and dining options. Yet West Bayfront, next to downtown and part of inner-city Erie, has had to work harder than other west side neighborhoods to earn its wings.

Over the past decade, the neighborhood has seen significant renovation, restoration and rebranding. “Tom Hagen and the Historic Erie Preservation Trust has done a great job of building up the area,” says Nancy Placidi, a real estate marketing and listing specialist with Howard Hanna. Hagen, the current chair of Erie Insurance Group, heads the trust and led the charge in purchasing historic and dilapidated buildings that needed restoration. Gannon University, another influential player in West Bayfront, also did its part to save homes from demolition. “Waterfront properties often get the attention of out-of-towners looking for lower-priced primary and vacation homes,” Placidi says. “The trust and Gannon did a tremendous job turning the neighborhood around.”

Green space, marinas and water views are abundant in West Bayfront. “You can walk down to the waterfront to catch a concert or have dinner,” says Tom Jones, team lead of the Tom Jones Group with Keller Williams Realty Erie, who grew up nearby and had friends who lived in the neighborhood. “The bayfront is full of public-access walkways. You can rent e-bikes or jet skis for something fun to do. And we have the best sunsets in the world.”
West Bayfront has a unique character and charm, making it a desirable place to live.
West Bayfront has a unique character and charm, making it a desirable place to live.
There are several green spaces in West Bayfront.
There are several green spaces in West Bayfront.
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Homes for bay watchers, history buffs and do-it-yourselfers

Homes in West Bayfront tend to fall into three categories. Along the bayfront, three-bedroom condominiums built side by side line Niagara Pier. On Niagara Point Drive, luxury single-family mansions and small vintage cottages offer breathtaking views of Presque Isle Bay. “On a clear day, you can see Canada,” Jones says. Depending on their size and view, bayfront homes can list from $350,000 to $900,000.

West 6th Street from State to Gridley Park, otherwise known as Millionaire’s Row, offers some of the finest examples of Victorian, Second Empire and Italian Renaissance homes in the city preserved by Thomas Hagen and the Historic Erie Preservation Trust. Some now serve as financial advisor or attorney offices. “Shipwrights who came to Erie to build boats put their skills to use building these grand old homes in the off-season,” Jones says. “Many have mosaics in their entranceways laid out as a compass that shows true north. The Hagen History Center on 6th and Chestnut can tell you many stories like this.” While these historic homes on West 6th seldom go on the market, they can sell for over $1 million.

Most homes in West Bayfront are classic three- and four-bedroom colonial-style houses built around 1900. These homes often feature open or enclosed front porches, detached garages, original hardwood floors and built-ins. Buyers can expect to pay between $35,000 for a property needing complete rehab and $285,000 for a renovated or well-maintained home. Multi-family properties account for a third of the market and can sell for between $40,000 and $300,000, according to the number of units and the building’s condition. Many are sold fully occupied.
Some homes in West Bayfront have stunning views of Lake Erie.
Some homes in West Bayfront have stunning views of Lake Erie.
This home is nestled in West Bayfront .
This home is nestled in West Bayfront .
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West Bayfront parks, outdoor concerts and marinas

With the bayfront to the north and city parks within walking distance, the neighborhood offers many outlets to get outside and enjoy being part of the local community. Gridley Park is one of the city's oldest and most beautiful green spaces, with flower gardens, mature trees and a monument to Charles Vernon Gridley, who served in the Spanish-Amerian War. Neighborhood children gravitate to the playground, and families enjoy community events like Halloween parades and outdoor symphonies. Bayview Park is close to the Bayfront Parkway and offers a baseball field, basketball and tennis courts, and a splash pad to cool off on hot summer days. Erie’s traveling 814 Concert Series comes to Bayview Park on a Sunday evening in July or August. Liberty Park, which extends into the bay, is the neighborhood's most well-known place for concerts. Its Highmark Amphitheater has a central grassy area with incredible views. Perry’s Landing Marina and the Commodore Perry Yacht Club are on either side of the park.
Bayview Park will be your kids favorite park.
Bayview Park will be your kids favorite park.
Enjoy Eight Great Tuesday's at Highmark Ampitheater at Liberty Park.
Enjoy Eight Great Tuesday's at Highmark Ampitheater at Liberty Park.
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Public schools with programming for student success

The schools that serve East Bayfront belong to the Erie City School District, which receives a C-plus from Niche. Harding Elementary, a C school, encourages positive behaviors in students by recognizing them for showing respect, responsibility, safety and attention to the task at hand. Strong Vincent Middle, another C school, is one of several Erie schools that piloted the United Way Community Schools program, which pairs schools with corporate partners to ensure financial and educational needs are met. The program is now the model for public education in Erie. High schoolers can attend C-rated Erie High, which offers nearly 20 career and technical pathway programs.
Erie High School has 2,317 students.
Erie High School has 2,317 students.
Strong Vincent Middle School serves grades 6-8.
Strong Vincent Middle School serves grades 6-8.
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8 Great Tuesdays at Liberty Park

Residents can enjoy outdoor concerts at Liberty Park for eight consecutive Tuesdays in July and August. Known as 8 Great Tuesdays, the live performances take place at the park’s amphitheater. Local businesses set up informational tents, and food trucks are on hand to feed the crowds. “The concerts attract hundreds,” Jones says. “You see people walking from all over the west side of Erie carrying chairs or blankets for an evening of music. The park really has a resort feel on nights like that.”
Enjoy free live music at 8 Great Tuesdays.
Enjoy free live music at 8 Great Tuesdays.
Make sure to try free food samples at 8 Great Tuesdays.
Make sure to try free food samples at 8 Great Tuesdays.
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West Bayfront biking, walking, public transportation and highways

The Bayfront Parkway has a bike path that runs east to downtown or west as far as Frontier Park. A walking path above the parkway starts at State Street, travels west through Bayview Park and ends on West Front Street. Erie Metropolitan Transportation Authority buses cut across the neighborhood on West 6th and 10th streets. UPMC Mamot is the closest hospital, 2 blocks east of the neighborhood. Travelers can catch an Amtrak Train to Boston, New York or Chicago at Union Station on West 14th Street, a few blocks south. Erie International Airport is 6 miles west, taking West 12th Street/Route 5. Interstate 79 intersects West 12th and connects drivers to Interstate 90, which runs to Buffalo, 100 miles east, and Cleveland, 95 miles west. Pittsburgh is 125 miles south on I-79.
West Bayfront has access tp public transportation.
West Bayfront has access tp public transportation.
West Bayfront is known for its strong sense of community and neighborhood pride.
West Bayfront is known for its strong sense of community and neighborhood pride.
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West Bayfront restaurants and west side shopping

Though West Bayfront doesn’t have a major shopping center, it does have a handful of restaurants, such as Pineapple Eddie Southern Bistro. Housed in a former bar, this local eatery serves Caribbean and Southern fusion cuisine. “They have great chicken and catfish,” Jones says. “Our children surprised my wife and me with a party there for our 30th wedding anniversary. We took over the place, and the food and service were amazing.” On the bayfront, Sloppy Duck Saloon has two outdoor decks overlooking the water. On weekends, customers can enjoy karaoke inside and live music in the restaurant’s tiki bar. Erie Ale Works on West 12th Street is a craft brewery set up in a former garage. It features at least seven homemade brews on tap at any time. West Bayfront is also next to the shops, restaurants, entertainment venues and sports stadiums that line State Street, less than a mile east. West Erie shopping centers along West 12th Street are 4 miles west, and the Millcreek Mall off Interstate 79 is 5 miles south. The closest major grocery store is Giant Eagle Supermarket in the Yorktown Centre off West 12th Street.
Pineapple Eddie Southern Bistro is a local favorite in West Bayfront.
Pineapple Eddie Southern Bistro is a local favorite in West Bayfront.
The Sloppy Duck Saloon is a popular waterfront restaurant and bar in West Bayfront.
The Sloppy Duck Saloon is a popular waterfront restaurant and bar in West Bayfront.
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Christopher Kopczynski
Written By
Christopher Kopczynski
Jeff Tippett
Photography Contributed By
Jeff Tippett
EB Fox
Video By
EB Fox

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Emily Foht, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Erie International/Tom Ridge Field

10 min drive

Bus

W 10th St & Liberty St

Bus

W 10th St & Cranberry St

Bus

Lincoln Park & Ride

Bus

W 4th St & Cherry St

Bus

W 6th St Opp Washington Pl

Bus

W 10th St Opp Walnut St

Bus

W 10th St & Myrtle St

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime West Bayfront US
Homicide 7 4
Sexual Assault 6 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 6 4
Burglary 6 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

West Bayfront Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$130,000
Median Sale Price
$128,985
Median Single Family Sale Price
$128,970
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$367,250
Median Change From 1st List Price
3%
Last 12 months Home Sales
58
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
16%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$106

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,645
Number of Homes for Sale
7
Median Year Built
1908
Months of Supply
1.40
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,677
Below the national average
1,933
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,521
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,201
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
4,356

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Emily Foht, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
12,294
Median Age
32
Population under 18
24.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.9%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$31,465
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$45,838

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
86.8%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
29.3%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
12.7%
% Population in Labor Force
64.6%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
21°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
29''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

63 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®

60 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

31 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
West Bayfront
Emily Foht
Foht REALTORS
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