Removed from the busy streets of central Philadelphia, Cobbs Creek sits alongside its namesake body of water to the west of the Schuylkill River. University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University students make up parts of its population due to the colleges’ location just east, and Cobbs Creek’s more relaxed atmosphere offers a respite from city life. “In West Philly, it’s just a slower lifestyle overall,” says Sean Elstone, a Realtor with Keller Williams Main Line Realty. “Because it’s such a huge student population and because of the two schools that are right there, it’s slower by nature. It’s a lot more pedestrian in West Philly, too. You’re far more likely to have a car when you live down there.”
Roads intersect in a gridded pattern in Cobbs Creek, and a number of eateries and local markets sit on street corners alongside rowhouses. “Cobbs Creek has beautiful architecture,” Elstone says. “It’s got great access to the universities.” The colleges’ presence and expansion have sparked change in the neighborhood. “You’re starting to see some developers and investors touch on the further reaches of West Philadelphia,” Elstone says. “Some spots it’s happening, and some spots aren’t going to be touched for years.”
Streets lined with rowhouses
Rowhouses and townhouses in a variety of colors and styles line the neighborhood, with most having been built between 1900 and 1925. Prices rarely exceed $300,000 and mostly fall between $100,000 and $200,000. “The further out, the less expensive it gets,” Elstone says. “You’ll probably have some work to do, too. You have to go really far out to get single-family homes; they’re all rowhouses right on the street with small, tiny backyards.” Cobbs Creek gets a CAP crime score of 5 out of 10, which is above the national average of 4. Residents should also know that the neighborhood also rates at an 8 out of 10 regarding homicide and 7 out of 10 for robbery.
Since the neighborhood is only about two miles west of University City, students attending the University of Pennsylvania or Drexel University make up some of the residential population. “The universities and hospitals are the biggest draws to someone deciding to purchase there and be a primary resident in that area,” says Mike Faber, a Realtor with Keller Williams Empower who also attended Drexel and used to live in University City. “Professors, nurses and doctors purchase in that area, as well as people going to grad school.” The gridded residential streets make up nearly the entire neighborhood. “You’re not moving there to go out to the restaurants,” says Beverly Rosa, a broker and property manager with Tara Management Services. “Areas like Cobbs Creek are stable. People are happy there.”
Tudor Homes offer quiet residential living in Cobbs Creek.
Rowhomes are the most common type of residential living in Cobbs Creek.
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Trails, sports and more at Cobbs Creek Park
Cobbs Creek Park takes its name from the small stream running through it, and also traces the western edge of the neighborhood itself. Overall, it expands south beyond Cobbs Creek and spans more than 800 acres. A recreation center, skate center and the Cobbs Creek Golf Club are all on its grounds, as well as other sports fields and a nature playground. “Any large green space in the city is a draw to anyone that’s close to it,” Faber says. “There’s basketball courts, tennis courts and fishing in the creek, and there’s nice walking trails in there to get to some greenery.”
Clark Park is only about a mile east of Cobbs Creek, and a group of avid chess players lay out boards to play each other or anyone game enough to take them on in the center of the park. “Clark Park is really active,” Elstone says. “There’s a lot going on there almost all the time.” Malcolm X Memorial Park sits within the neighborhood and offers numerous paths and several playground installations. The Schuylkill River Water Trail accommodates motorboats, rowing and paddling, and trails run along the water for riverside recreation.
Cobbs Creek Park has pick up basketball games daily.
Malcom X Park playgrounds are fun for children in Cobbs Creek.
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A pair of thoroughfares in northern Cobbs Creek
Access to Interstate 76, also known as the Schuylkill Expressway, is about 4 miles east. “If you’re on the west side of town, you can jump on 76 pretty easily,” Faber says. Public transportation is available via trolley lines, SEPTA buses and the L train, which runs underground in some parts of the area. “Bus lines run everywhere,” Elstone says. Chestnut Street and Walnut Street serve as the most prominent roads in the neighborhood, with both beginning in northwestern Cobbs Creek and stretching east into University City.
The trolley runs along Baltimore Avenue, on the south side of the neighborhood, and the L train is one of the most common modes of getting around West Philadelphia. “If you’re within five or six blocks of Market Street, you can always hop on the L,” Elstone says. “The L is probably your best way to get around because it runs the entire length of West Philly, but the further out you are, the tougher getting around is.” Central Philadelphia is about five miles to the east across the Schuylkill, and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania is located within Cobbs Creek itself.
I-76 serves Cobbs Creek as well as many neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia.
Bindlestiff Books is just one of many small businesses lining Baltimore Ave near Cobbs Creek.
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Local shops, stores and restaurants
Small, independent restaurants are found dotted throughout the Cobbs Creek area. International fare is common, including Chinese and Ethiopian. “You can pick up great Vietnamese food,” Elstone says of the eateries along Baltimore Avenue on the south side. “There’s cultures that are really anchored and have created great little food spots.” Soulful D’lites and Keeboom’s Kitchen both serve up soul food favorites in western Cobbs Creek. Many outlets, like the Baltimore Deli and Booker’s Restaurant & Bar, are concentrated in the southeast area of the neighborhood.
An Aldi stocks groceries around two miles east on the north side of Market Street, but stores are few and far between in Cobbs Creek. “Walking to a food store, it might just be your corner bodega in a lot of spots where there’s not a lot,” Elstone says. “It’s definitely different.” Just east, Bindlestiff Books sits on Baltimore Avenue and is one of several independent bookstores in the West Philadelphia area. “This part of the city’s really interesting, because we have three or four bookshops within walking distance of each other,” an employee says. “I would describe this bookstore as a ‘happy clutter.’ We have a lot of options for everyone.”
Bindlestiff books, near Cobbs Creek, can be described as wonderfully disorganized.
Not far from Cobbs Creek, Booker's is a casual-yet-classy stop for dinner and cocktails.
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Football, baseball and more across the Schuylkill
For sports fans, all four major teams in the city play home games in the Philadelphia Sports Complex, which sits around 7 miles southeast on the other side of the river. The Eagles, Phillies, 76ers and Flyers have three stadiums between the four teams, with the latter two sharing an arena, and fans come out in droves. “I think this is a top two or three sports city in the United States,” a local and longtime Philadelphia sports fan says. “When the teams are doing well, it’s incredible. There’s a lot of religions here. Sports is the biggest one.”
The Eagles and Phillies have both won championships within the past decade, and parades and celebrations were held across Philadelphia. “You definitely get immersed in it,” Faber says. “You get sucked right on into the emotions revolving around it. It’s a very critical city.” Within Cobbs Creek, Malcolm X Memorial Park hosts the Jazz Heritage Series, with free shows running throughout the summer months.
A two-school pipeline for Cobbs Creek students
Students can begin their education at the Avery D. Harrington School, which spans kindergarten through eighth grade and receives a C-minus from Niche. William L. Sayre High School follows for grades nine through 12, situated in northwest Cobbs Creek. It also garners a C-minus from Niche, offering a student-to-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. Sayre High athletics play as the Sabres, and the school fields teams for cross-country, track, basketball and competitive cheerleading.
William L. Sayre High School has a private parking lot for faculty, staff, and parents.
Avery Harrington School has a student teacher ratio of roughly 12 to 1 according to Niche.
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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Cobbs Creek is a historically black residential neighborhood filled with families of generational homeowners. In addition to the Creek to the West, the neighborhood is bordered by three active local business corridors: 52nd St to the East, Market St to the North and Baltimore Ave to the South. Good walkability and great access to public transit: the L, trolley or bus options. It’s been a lovely place to live and raise a family, with proximity to the higher end UPenn, Garden Court, Clark Park neighborhoods with more diverse populations, creatives and younger folks.
Niche Reviews
2.943 Reviews
4.0Current Resident
4/23/2021Niche Review
Friendly, close-knit community that sticks together. Historic area with trees and plenty of businesses.
3.0Niche User
4/20/2015Niche Review
There are not many jobs available in the mom and pop stores as they do not have a large employee turnover. As far as larger businesses, I have no knowledge.
3.0Niche User
2/1/2015Niche Review
The businesses are OK some are good but it's the people working at the place that determine the .customer service
1.0Niche User
4/16/2016Niche Review
The Crime rate of Philadelphia has really increased over the years. Especially the murders and the robbery. Gun violence is something that really affected my life growing up.
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Cobbs Creek
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
7
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
7
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Cobbs Creek Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Cobbs Creek, Philadelphia sell after 56 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Cobbs Creek, Philadelphia over the last 12 months is $180,000, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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