Southwest Philadelphia—often proudly called “Southwest” by locals and individuals from other parts of Philly. Furthermore, Southwest Philadelphia is one of the city’s most diverse, lively, and growing neighborhoods in Philly. Placed between the Schuylkill River and the Philadelphia International Airport, roughly only 11 miles from Center City. Southwest Philly offers a unique mix of American history, worldwide culture, and community connection that makes it a special location to call home.

Therefore, whether you’re thinking about moving to this section of Philadelphia, just curious about the way of life in Southwest Philly, or already a resident, here’s a guide to what life is really like in Southwest Philly PA.

Diverse Culture in Southwest Philadelphia

Southwest Philadelphia is best known for its diversity and blend of numerous cultures. Over the years, this part of Philadelphia has become home to a massive population of West African and Caribbean immigrants, alongside African American families who have lived here for generations.

Therefore, the cultural blend brings a wide variety of languages, foods/culinary, music & arts, and cultural traditions. Furthermore, when walking down Woodland Avenue, you’ll find halal meat markets, authentic African grocery stores & food markets, and a long list of vibrant restaurants serving jollof rice, fufu, Jamaican patties, and more. The neighborhoods within Southwest Philly celebrate this diversity proudly. Making it one of the most culturally authentic parts of the city, welcoming to all walks of life! Therefore, many individuals live in “Southwest” to feel like home or the ability to experience and adapt to multiple cultures.

Housing Opportunities in Southwest Philadelphia

Similar to most parts of Philadelphia, Southwest has a wide variety of housing options at a reasonable monthly rate. Therefore, providing individuals and families with housing opportunities to fit their needs and budget. Southwest Philadelphia consists of row homes, apartment complexes, and rental properties, whether it’s a single-family residence or a multi-unit building. The price to rent a property or purchase a house in Southwest Philadelphia is more affordable than in other parts of the city. Below are the average prices to rent a one, two, or three-bedroom house or apartment in Southwest Philly:

• On average, renting a one-bedroom apartment in Southwest will cost you between $1,000 and $1,110 a month. Although at times, the price for a one-bedroom can cost as low as $650 and as high as $1,900. Most of the time, this price range to rent a 1-bedroom doesn’t include utilities, unless it’s a multi-unit building, then the water bill may be included. Therefore, when determining your overall monthly budget, add roughly $200 to the rent cost to figure out your monthly housing expenses.
• Most of the time, to rent a two-bedroom house or apartment in Southwest Philadelphia, it’ll cost between $1,200 $2,200 per month. However, keep in mind most units are affordable in this part of Philly, which means on average their closer to the $1,200 range.
• 3-bedroom houses for rent in Southwest Philadelphia typically have a median rental rate of around $1,450 monthly. However, to rent a house in the Fitler Square neighborhood, the price range will be much higher. Additionally, the average sales price for a three-bedroom house in Southwest Philly is roughly $156,000, which, for an FHA buyer, it’ll cost $1,080 and $1,230 monthly, although multiple factors influence the exact amount.

It’s vital to keep in mind, over the last decade, Southwest Philadelphia has experienced a steady pace of gentrification and redevelopment. Those two factors continue to raise house values and rental rates. Therefore, now is the perfect time to get in on the booming real estate market in Southwest Philadelphia Pennsylvania.

Neighborhoods in Southwest Philadelphia

• Kingsessing 19143: Furthest north section of southwest Philly. Next to Cedar Park and Elmwood Park while also touching Delaware County PA. In addition, it’s the location of Bartram’s Garden. The population of Kingsessing is roughly around 19,000 individuals.
• Elmwood “Southwest Philadelphia”: Elmwood provides a mix of suburban and urban vibes, known to have many bars & parks/playgrounds. Furthermore, the population of Elmwood floats around seventeen thousand people.
• Eastwick section of Philly: Located directly above “Philadelphia International Airport.” It consists of a much lower population than the other two sections of Southwest Philly we mentioned. Furthermore, the exact population amount right around 6k. Most of the population of Eastwick consists of young professionals and families.

Things to do in Southwest Philadelphia PA

There are endless opportunities for things to do in Southwest Philly, regardless of the time of day or the day of the week. Whether you’re into experiencing new cultures, exploring museums, or parks/green spaces, then Southwest Philadelphia is perfect for you!

1. Bartram’s Garden: A 50-acre public garden and National Historic Landmark; home to the country’s oldest ginkgo tree. Bartram’s Gardens was founded in 1728 by botanist John Bartram. Furthermore, it’s the oldest botanical garden to survive in the Northeast Section of the USA. It’s a lively home for horticulture that holds weddings and other events. It’s a beautiful place that can put a smile on anyone’s face while filling your lungs with fresh air!
2. Fort Mifflin: If you’re a history buff or simply someone who appreciates American history, then we highly recommend visiting Fort Mifflin. This location is best known for protecting the Americas from British attacks during the Revolutionary War.
3. If you’re into cars and automotives, consider checking out the Simeone Foundation located at 6825-31 Norwitch Dr 19153. Which houses one of the world’s greatest collections of racing sports cars.
4. Popular Restaurants in Southwest Philadelphia: Falone’s Steaks and Hoagies, located at 7337 Elmwood Ave 19142, is a popular cheesesteak spot in Southwest Philly. A unique breakfast and brunch spot will be Southern Inn at 5741 Woodland Ave 19143. Lastly, if you’re into seafood or sushi, consider stopping by “UMI Hot Pot Sushi and Seafood Buffet” located at 3000 Island Ave Philadelphia PA 19153.

Common Ways of Transportation

Southwest Philadelphia is served by SEPTA’s (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) trolley, subway, and bus systems. Furthermore, SEPTA includes the 11 and 13 trolley lines that run through Woodland Avenue and connect directly to Center City. The Philadelphia International Airport is only minutes away. Making travel easy for travelers or housing guests from around the country and even from other parts of the world.

If you choose to drive, which isn’t always necessary because Philadelphia is an accessible city. I-95 and I-76 are nearby, making travel and directions simple. Although traffic can be heavy during rush hour or mid-day on the weekends, getting in and out of Southwest is relatively easy compared to other parts of the city.

Southwest Philly: Schools and Education

Southwest Philadelphia has a wide variety of schools, from middle schools to high schools, including public schools and private schools. Some of the public schools in Southwest Philly include: Thomas G Morton School, John M Patterson Elementary School, Penrose Elementary School, and Colwyn School. Furthermore, some of the academy’s and private schools include: Penrose Academy and “Southwest Leadership Academy” located at 7101 Paschall Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19142.

Safety and Other Challenges in Southwest Philadelphia

Overall, Southwest Philadelphia is safer than other parts of Philadelphia. Such as West Philly and North Philadelphia, which are considered Philadelphia’s worst neighborhoods. However, that doesn’t mean Southwest doesn’t experience its own set of challenges. Furthermore, some major problems faced in Southwest Philadelphia are the amount of illegal dumping of trash, car parts, construction materials, and other waste items.

Similar to the entire school district of Philadelphia, Southwest experiences underfunding of schools and community centers, making it difficult for children to learn and stay out of trouble. However, Southwest Philadelphia has a strong sense of community, faith leaders, and role model organizations that push for change. Having that strong connection and sense of community allows people to look out for their neighbors and also guide troubled youth the right way in life. Therefore, Southwest experiences similar challenges to other parts of Philly, although they stick together and battle through any obstacles.

Advantages of Living in Southwest Philadelphia

There are many pros of living in Southwest Philadelphia. Reasons range from financial benefits to entertainment and a more affordable way of life. Below are some common advantages of living in Southwest Philly.

• Affordable housing: Reasonable rental rates and house values for the quality of life in Southwest Philly.
• Proximity to Highways, Center City, Shopping, and Entertainment. Southwest Philadelphia is a short distance from I-95, South Street (A shopping hub), the Airport, and a professional sports complex located in South Philly.
• Close-knit neighborhoods. Southwest Philly sticks together, looking out for their neighbors. Many cultures and nationalities in Southwest Philly value family, and they assist each other whenever necessary.
• Diverse Culture: Whether you’re looking to try new foods, way of life, or even religion. Having a wide variety of cultures allows you to experience new things in the comfort of your own neighborhood. It’s exciting living in a melting pot of culture, new things in life widen our perspective and allow us to discover new passions.
• Employment Opportunities. Living in a big city allows for a wide range of jobs, from entry-level positions to executive positions. Therefore, anyone can find employment in the city of brotherly love!

Is Southwest Philly Right for You?

Southwest Philadelphia’s a unique part of Philly, rich in diversity and culture. Furthermore, it’s more affordable and safe to live in Southwest Philly compared to other sections of the city. Being a short distance from Center City Philadelphia makes it easy to commute for work or pleasure. In addition, being within miles of Philadelphia International Airport makes it easy to travel or host guests. Especially considering a large percentage of Southwest Philly are immigrants from other countries.

If you’re looking to experience a new way of life or simply desire a tight-knit community. Then consider living in Southwest Philadelphia. However, don’t go about the home search or apartment search alone. Utilize the services of a top real estate company in Philadelphia to guide you to make the right decision and investment. As we mentioned, the real estate market in southwest Philadelphia is booming, so now will be the best time to invest in a property! Feel free to call us at 267-420-2296 or submit your info on the form below.