Chestnut Hill (Wyndmoor, Jenkintown, Lincoln: houses, neighborhoods, living)

[Angus215]

what are the general borders of the nice part of chestnut hill? how far east/south does it go? how far north on germantown avenue does the retail district go?

[FrankInPhilly]

Originally Posted by Angus215

what are the general borders of the nice part of chestnut hill? how far east/south does it go? how far north on germantown avenue does the retail district go?

It's all nice. There's no 'hood in Chestnut Hill (or if there is, it's pretty upscale).
Retail on the Avenue goes from Cresheim Valley Drive (the southern border of Chestnut Hill to the top of the hill (the 8800 block) - a little over a mile.

[Angus215]

Thanks, Frank. Is the western side of Germantown Ave generally nicer than the eastern side? how far east can you go? Stenton Ave?

[rotodome]

Originally Posted by Angus215

Thanks, Frank. Is the western side of Germantown Ave generally nicer than the eastern side? how far east can you go? Stenton Ave?

Generally speaking, far west Chestnut Hill is where all the huge mansions are, and closer to Germantown ave on both sides is where more rowhouses, twins, and normal sized houses are. I personally think the western side (not including the part with the mansions) is a little nicer, only because I like the area around Pastorius park (about a block west of Germantown Ave), and it's a little closer to the Wissahickon. But the East side is not bad at all, and has some really great blocks.

And Stenton Ave is the border of Chestnut Hill, so you technically can't go any further than that and still be in Chestnut Hill. But on the other side of Stenton Ave is Wyndmoor and Erdenheim, which are nice suburbs.

[templeu]

I used to live closer to Stenton Ave (even then we were still only about 2-3 blocks from Germantown Ave). I agree with Frank... I never saw a bad part of Chestnut Hill. I suppose I could understand how someone might drive down one of the streets that has more twin or row homes and perceive that perhaps CH has some rough patches. But, even those row or twin homes can cost a pretty penny. When you cross Stenton (from Chestnut Hill) you enter Wyndmoor ... a very nice Montco suburb.

[Angus215]

Thanks everyone. If you go south of Creisham Valley Dr into West Mt Airy, what is that neighborhood like? Is there retail on Germantown Ave (or anywhere else) in Mt Airy?

[templeu]

I actually prefered the restaurants in Mt. Airy to those in Chestnut Hill (though I Chestnut Hill has picked up some in the last year. When we left, there were a number of abandoned store fronts that have now been bought up). When we first moved out that way a resident described Mt Airy as having a more "granola" feel and Chestnut Hill as having a slightly more conservative, upper crust feeling. After living there, I understand where that distinction might come from. If I were to move back, I would move to Mt. Airy as opposed to Chestnut Hill... 1) to be closer to Lincoln (if you drive into the city, living closer down to Lincoln cuts down on your commute) 2) I really enjoyed the woodsy feeling of Mt. Airy.

[rotodome]

West Mount Airy (and East Mt Airy too) is very nice, but there is not nearly as much retail as Chestnut Hill, and what retail there is is more scattered, and not as centralized along Germantown Ave. Chestnut Hill is a more compact neighborhood than Mount Airy, and WMA is generally less walkable than Chestnut Hill. Mount Airy on average is a bit less affluent than Chestnut Hill, although both neighborhoods span the range from huge mansions to middle class rowhouses. Mount Airy is generally a very progressive area, although all sorts of people live there. Chestnut Hill has the reputation of being somewhat more conservative and insular relative to Mt Airy, although I would not overstate the differences. Congresswoman Allyson Schwarz's (very nice) house in in WMA, for what it's worth.
In recent years, there has been some revitalization along Germantown Ave in Mount Airy and some more things have opened, mostly on the stretch of Germantown Ave between Allens Lane & Mt Pleasant Ave, but it still does not come close to the level retail on Germantown Ave in Chestnut Hill.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by rotodome

WCongresswoman Allyson Schwarz's (very nice) house in in WMA, for what it's worth.

Her official residence is listed as Jenkintown. Did she recently move?

[rotodome]

Originally Posted by HeavenWood

Her official residence is listed as Jenkintown. Did she recently move?

Quite possible.