Fairhill pops with color through brightly painted row houses and vibrant murals that accentuate the culture of this community just 4 miles north of Center City. Heritage pulses through El Centro de Oro, which means The Golden Block, with organizations like Taller Puertorriqueño that serve as a pillar for Fairhill’s LatinX population. The pedestrian-friendly gridded streets are also home to three locations of The Lighthouse, a nonprofit that acts as a safe space for the community. “We create an oasis for families and kids to feel welcomed and valued,” says Julian Makarechi, The Lighthouse’s Director of Sports and Recreation. “We want families to be able to enjoy being outside and see the value of community.”
The Taller Puertorriqueno gallery tells of the rich history of Puerto Ricans in America.
Kids participate in a science demonstration at The Lighthouse in Fairhill.
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Heritage in El Centro de Oro
Located along North 5th Street and Lehigh Avenue, El Centro de Oro is a predominantly Latino commercial district. With shops like Centro Musical and several family-owned Latin American eateries, this barrio celebrates the rich culture in Fairhill. Each September, the community comes together for Feria del Barrio, an annual festival with live music, performances and a crafts market that highlights LatinX heritage. Taller Puertorriqueño is an organization that uses art – including music, food and galleries – to promote the development of Fairhill and bridge the gap between Latino culture and the rest of Philadelphia. There are a few Spanish-speaking churches throughout El Centro de Oro, such as Evangelica Arca De Salvacion, with architecture that blends Gothic Revival and Spanish influences.
The popular Betsy Casañas exhibit draws in art lovers from Fairhill and beyond.
Fairhill folks know that Centro Musical is the place to go for traditional Hispanic instruments.
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Preventative work through The Lighthouse
Another champion of the community is The Lighthouse, which offers three sections of support: a community center, a Head Start school and a sports complex. “The Lighthouse is the oldest nonprofit in the city of Philly, founded in 1893 by Esther Kelly,” Makarechi says. “Her goal was to create a space for people that isn’t a pub, and about 100 years later, our goal is the same.” According to CAP Index, Fairhill receives a crime score of 9, with the highest score of 10 in crimes related to robbery and homicide. “There's a cemetery and a police precinct right next to us, and we're trying to keep the kids here rather than those two alternatives,” Makarechi says. Some preventative services The Lighthouse offers are affordable sports leagues, community events, summer camps and STEAM and Leadership programs for high schoolers. “Through our Bodega Project, our youth entrepreneurs are given a budget and travel to hear from different business owners in the community,” Makarechi says. “And by the end of the 8-week program, they have a grand opening.” Makarechi also mentions how The Lighthouse offers tours of nearby universities, a year-round petting zoo and Recreation Over Violence – an organization that assigns specialists to families who may need certain services.
Kids let off excess energy at The Lighthouse playground in Fairhill.
Two excited Fairhill kids have a friendly encounter with one of the horses at The Lighthouse.
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Local Latin American eats
Many restaurants in Fairhill offer window or counter service, but there are a few sit-down spots around El Centro de Oro, where many of the storefronts are cash-only. For Puerto Rican flavor, Freddy and Tony’s and El Bohio are both traditional eateries with convenient corner locales. A block away, Bob’s Crab House is a popular seafood takeout spot. Local Dominican cuisine can be found nearby at Vivaldi or on the south side of town at El Principe. For quick convenience items, there are a few neighborhood markets, and Save A Lot grocery is in a shopping plaza with medical offices and a bank.
Freddy and Tony's is a very popular Fairhill restaurant with both takeout and seating.
Fairhill residents utilize the local Family Dollar for their necessities.
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Vibrant brick row houses
Sidewalks line the streets throughout Fairhill, making it convenient for residents to walk from everyday errands to their homes. Two- to three-story row houses with Italianate influences are common, while there are also traditional Philadelphia row houses with quaint front porches. These brick units are uniquely painted to differentiate each facade from its neighbor. Some are investment properties or homes in need of upgrades, while others are move-in ready with modern renovations. Sizes range anywhere from 800 to 1,400 square feet, and prices typically start around $90,000 and rise to about $180,000.
Some of the homeowners in the Fairhill neighborhood painted their brick homes in bright colors.
Two story brick and siding row home with covered porch in the Fairhill neighborhood.
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Philadelphia public schools
Luis Munoz-Marin Elementary and Julia de Burgos Elementary are kindergarten through eighth-grade schools that both receive a C-minus grade from Niche and serve younger students living in Fairhill. Thomas Alva Edison High School, also graded a C-minus, is known for its Fareira Skills Center, which offers vocational skills that include cosmetology, welding and cinematography.
Julia de Burgos Elementary School is a public, online school located in Philadelphia, PA.
Edison High School has a well-rounded curriculum for its students, including Fairhill students.
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Green space at Fairhill Square Park
A green escape from the urban concrete, Fairhill Square Park provides 2 acres of open space that includes a playground and walking paths. The park is home to the neighborhood’s iconic statue, El Gran Teatro de la Luna – meaning The Huge Theater of the Moon – which stands above the park’s stage. On the east side, Jose Manuel Collazo Park was recently renovated with new playground equipment, a rain garden that features native plants, a splash pad, and handball and basketball courts.
the paths at Fairhill Square Park serves as a handy shortcut for kids walking home from school.
After-school pickup basketball games are popular at Fairhill's Jose Manuel Collazo Park.
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Commuting into the city via Broad Street
Fairhill is less than a mile from the often-noisy Broad Street, which leads directly to Center City just 3 miles south. This busy thoroughfare offers residents quick access to the North Philadelphia Metro station and the North Broad Street train station. The SEPTA bus system also services the community.
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
There is an applebees right in my are, now that may not be a 5star restaurant, but its definely a great place to wind down after a long week. There are plenty of bars and a lot of variety in races and cultures, which every one is very accepting of.
1.0Niche User
2/17/2015Niche Review
The police simply move when they want. They only want to make arrests, when I feel like consideration should be taken against children, give them a chance, dont be so quick to throw in a wagon.
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to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Fairhill
US
Homicide
6
4
Sexual Assault
10
4
Assault with Weapon
9
4
Robbery
9
4
Burglary
6
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
7
4
Crime Score
9
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Fairhill Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Fairhill, Philadelphia sell after 54 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Fairhill, Philadelphia over the last 12 months is $80,000, down 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Now available: a vacant lot at 192 W Birch Street, located on a quiet residential block in North Philadelphia. This cleared parcel offers a great opportunity for new construction in an area experiencing steady revitalization and development.The property is ideally suited for single-family residential use. Whether you’re an investor, builder, or homeowner looking to create a custom
Now available: a vacant lot at 194 W Birch Street, located on a quiet residential block in North Philadelphia. This cleared parcel offers a great opportunity for new construction in an area experiencing steady revitalization and development.The property is ideally suited for single-family residential use. Whether you’re an investor, builder, or homeowner looking to create a custom
Prime Development Opportunity in Vibrant Fairhill! Unlock the potential of this cleared and vacant 14 x 70 lot (approx. 980 sq ft), perfectly zoned RSA-5, offering endless possibilities for savvy builders, investors, or visionary homeowners! This lot has low taxes. Nestled in the heart of Philadelphia's dynamic Fairhill neighborhood – the bustling "El Centro de Oro" (Golden Center) – this
Welcome to your fully renovated home at 2900 N 5th St Unit 1! This spacious 2-bedroom, 1-bath apartment offers everything brand new — from flooring and fixtures to appliances and mechanical systems. Enjoy the comfort of central heating and air conditioning, making the space feel perfect year-round. A modern kitchen awaits you with brand-new stainless-steel appliances, including a stove and
Welcome to your fully renovated home at 2900 N 5th St Unit 4! This spacious 2-bedroom, 1-bath apartment offers everything brand new — from flooring and fixtures to appliances and mechanical systems. Enjoy the comfort of central heating and air conditioning, making the space feel perfect year-round. A modern kitchen awaits you with brand-new stainless-steel appliances, including a stove and
Welcome to your fully renovated home at 2900 N 5th St Unit 2! This spacious 1-bedroom, 1-bath apartment offers everything brand new — from flooring and fixtures to appliances and mechanical systems. Enjoy the comfort of central heating and air conditioning, making the space feel perfect year-round. A modern kitchen awaits you with brand-new stainless-steel appliances, including a stove and
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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.
