Old City
Neighborhood Reviews
Contemporary high-rises and maintained brownstones
Much of Old City’s residential landscape is comprised of contemporary townhomes and some high rise condos. “There’s more newer-style construction happening over there, its got a lot of cool trendy places to go and there’s a lot more development to come,” says local Realtor Mike Bottaro. Townhomes provide ample street parking and a variety of interior floor plans. Classic brick facades and newer construction mix in Old City, all within walking distance of historic landmarks and local restaurants. Home prices range from $260,000 for a modest condominium to as much as $2.9 million for a large contemporary townhome on the waterfront.
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Museums and landmarks dating back to the Revolutionary War
The community has an array of historical landmarks on longstanding cobblestone streets dating back as far as 1703. Buildings from the First Bank of the United States, Independence Hall and the Betsy Ross House are just a short walk away, showcasing exhibits and artifacts from the founding of the United States. Proper museums like the Museum of the American Revolution and the Benjamin Franklin Museum offer various exhibits and educational material concerning events and figures from the Revolutionary War. There are also outdoor spaces in the neighborhood open to the public, such as Franklin Square, where locals can ride the carousel, play mini golf, watch live dance and music performances, or take a stroll around Franklin Square Fountain.
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Old City is home to trendy pubs and pop-up markets
In addition to historic museums and landmarks, Old City has several easily accessible retailers and restaurants along major thoroughfares like Market Street. “Old City is great for nightlife, lots of little pubs and pop-up shops around,” says local Realtor Mike Bottaro. Locals start their day at FRIEDA, a European café with an open floor plan featuring minimalist décor and serving up a range of baked goods as well as breakfast and lunch dishes. Old City Beer Garden offers outdoor seating with games to go with its range of craft beers. One of many Philadelphia Irish pubs, The Plough & the Stars offers various brews and traditional fare such as fish and chips. Old City residents can also browse through the pop-ups and vendors at Cherry Street Pier, which is also home to a flea market and a brewery on the riverside.
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Summer and Winter events in Old City
Old City also plays host to several seasonal events. Penn’s Landing provides a comprehensive view of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge; the pier offers carnival rides and games during Summerfest and Winterfest, as well as ice skating and rollerblading on Blue Cross RiverRink.
Learning history in Old City's Schools
Public school students are served by the School District of Philadelphia, starting their academic careers at schools like General George A. McCall Public School. This school has an overall B-plus rating according to Niche and teaches from kindergarten through eighth grade. Students move on to secondary institutions such as Constitution High School. The high school has an overall B-minus rating on Niche and has a college preparatory program that emphasizes history and social sciences through partnerships with local museums and law firms.Light rail and bus stations provide extra transport around this walkable community
Locals have easy access to Philadelphia’s public transit through the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, whether through the subway, light rail or public bus lines. Freeway access to the Delaware Expressway and the I-676 puts locals within two miles of Center City to the west and nearby Camden to the west over the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. Historic buildings and trendy local spots make Old City an excellent place to call home.
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Written By
Ian Burke
Photography Contributed By
Conner Baker
Video By
Matthew Bloch
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Ramonita Hernandez-Mohr
Ramonita Hernandez-Mohr
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
(856) 409-7087
49 Total Sales
1 in Old City
$770,000 Price
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Chris Baker
Chris Baker
Responds QuicklyCompass RE
(484) 592-4965
78 Total Sales
1 in Old City
$415,000 Price
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Brad Gellman
Brad Gellman
Coldwell Banker Realty
(856) 409-7408
68 Total Sales
1 in Old City
$360,000 Price
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Lisa Ciccotelli
Lisa Ciccotelli
Responds QuicklyBHHS Fox & Roach-Haverford
(484) 922-9813
342 Total Sales
2 in Old City
$415K - $487K Price Range
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Neil Douen
Neil Douen
EXP Realty, LLC
(856) 351-4301
172 Total Sales
1 in Old City
$215,000 Price
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Michael Prince
Michael Prince
SERHANT PENNSYLVANIA LLC
(267) 389-9707
48 Total Sales
1 in Old City
$355,000 Price
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
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- K to 8th
- Public
- 7th to 12th
- Charter
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Parks in this Area
Welcome Park
- Bike Trails
- Picnic Area
- Trails
Race Street Pier
- Bike Trails
- Fishing
- Picnic Area
Washington Square
- Picnic Area
- Trails
- Playground
Girard Fountain Park
- Picnic Area
- Trails
- Events
I-95 Park
- Bike Trails
- Boating
- Picnic Area
Franklin Square
- Bike Trails
- Picnic Area
- Trails
Transit
Airport
Philadelphia International
19 min drive
Subway
8Th & Market St
Subway
Chinatown
Subway
5Th Street
Subway
2Nd Street
Bus
4th St & Vine St
Bus
Market St & 3rd St
Bus
Arch St & 2nd St
Reviews
Niche Reviews
9/28/2020
Niche Review
My experience living in Old City is amazing. I love all of shops and how accessible transportation is. Everyone is super nice!
2/21/2018
Niche Review
Very walkable. Close to many great restaurants with a variety of food. Ritz theaters are a chain of really great independent movie theaters and there are 3 of them within a few blocks of each other. There are a few homeless people here but they do not bother you that much. There are some great museums here as well. Like independence hall, liberty bell, the new revolutionary war museum. Great architecture. The old street in the US is here. The oldest theater in the US as well Walnut Street.
6/12/2020
Niche Review
Old City is home. I have lived all over the county and this is as good as I've found. It is the very center of a thriving city, yet somehow still calm, clean, safe, and just a great place to live. I would love to see the neighborhood mature to support more family-friendly options; this part of town doesn't have much for a family starting out, you need to walk to Northern libs or Society Hill just to get to a decent playground.
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Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Old City | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 4 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 4 | 4 |
| Robbery | 6 | 4 |
| Burglary | 7 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
| Larceny | 6 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 6 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Old City Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Old City, Philadelphia sell after 31 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Old City, Philadelphia over the last 12 months is $795,000, up 246% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$949,900
Median Sale Price
$795,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$949,900
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$795,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
317
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
246%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$543
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,610
Number of Homes for Sale
4
Median Year Built
1982
Months of Supply
0.20
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,750
Below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,924
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,458
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
911
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
814
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,920
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
Condo Buildings
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
10,176
Median Age
37
Population Density
27 ppl/acre
Population under 18
13.5%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$114,155
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$141,947
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
95.1%
College Graduates
80.2%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
38.4%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
77.3%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
26°F
Average Summer High Temperature
87°F
Annual Snowfall
13''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
84
/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
100
/ 100
Rider's Paradise
Transit Score®
100
/ 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.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Callowhill
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Center City Market East
Upbeat, fast-paced urban community in the heart of Philadelphia
Washington Square West
Vibrant Center City neighborhood with historical row houses and luxury condos
Queen Village
A walkable urban community with historic homes and trendy restaurants
Society Hill
Colonial-era architecture and history with proximity to night life and shopping
Chinatown
A long-established community with flavorful restaurants and large-scale events
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