Manayunk vs. Fishtown vs. Other Young Family Neighborhoods (Penn: daycare, house)

[kate0408]

Hello!

We are moving to the city soon and currently do not have kids but will look at expanding the family soon. We are open to the idea of living in the city and worrying about school systems/etc. once we are at kindergarten age which will not be for 6+ years.

We explored Manayunk and Fishtown this past weekend and enjoyed both for different reasons. Would love to hear people's pro/cons of each of these areas. We think both could be great areas for us currently (walking to coffee, restaurants, parks etc.) but curious if there are young families in the areas as we look at expanding the family? We saw several while we were there but would love to get other thoughts. Again, not for school system purposes as we will be paying for daycare/preschool anyways but more for camaraderie with other families as we expand.

Also any other family friendly areas of the city you recommend? We've heard Northern Liberties many times but we can get a bit less bang for our buck there?

Thanks!

Kate

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by kate0408

Hello!

We are moving to the city soon and currently do not have kids but will look at expanding the family soon. We are open to the idea of living in the city and worrying about school systems/etc. once we are at kindergarten age which will not be for 6+ years.

We explored Manayunk and Fishtown this past weekend and enjoyed both for different reasons. Would love to hear people's pro/cons of each of these areas. We think both could be great areas for us currently (walking to coffee, restaurants, parks etc.) but curious if there are young families in the areas as we look at expanding the family? We saw several while we were there but would love to get other thoughts. Again, not for school system purposes as we will be paying for daycare/preschool anyways but more for camaraderie with other families as we expand.

Also any other family friendly areas of the city you recommend? We've heard Northern Liberties many times but we can get a bit less bang for our buck there?

Thanks!

Kate

Don't settle on those two neighborhoods just yet. Why? Because there are lots of families with young kids in Fairmount. So look into it as well.

[kate0408]

Yes that was recommended to us too! Will explore there as well! Thank you.

[banjozac]

I see strollers all over the city these days. Spruce Hill would give you a little more space for your money, and the possibility (not guarantee) of Penn Alexander in the future. I would consider Fairmount, East Falls, and Mt Airy as well.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by kate0408

Yes that was recommended to us too! Will explore there as well! Thank you.

I'm pretty sure many of the young families are centered in Fairmount rather than its adjacent neighborhoods: Spring Garden and Francisville( going through gentrification). I live in Spring Garden. There are two heavily used playgrounds: Roberto Clemente and Von Colln. The former was renovated a few years ago and the latter about a year ago. Both have appropriate playground stuff for babies/toddlers. Plus Fairmount Park is walking distance away.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by banjozac

I see strollers all over the city these days. Spruce Hill would give you a little more space for your money, and the possibility (not guarantee) of Penn Alexander in the future. I would consider Fairmount, East Falls, and Mt Airy as well.

Exactly! Tons of strollers! It's great.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by banjozac

I see strollers all over the city these days. Spruce Hill would give you a little more space for your money, and the possibility (not guarantee) of Penn Alexander in the future. I would consider Fairmount, East Falls, and Mt Airy as well.

I second East Falls because it's quiet but is close to Manayunk. Fwiw, the late Princess Grace(Grace Kelly) grew up in East Falls. Her family's house is at Henry Ave and Coulter St.

[Mayvenne]

I am relatively new to the Philly area, actually in the burbs but was going to comment that we were driving through and walking around Fairmount area (Actually we went to tour the Penitentiary ) and were super impressed with the area. Definitely one to consider.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by Mayvenne

I am relatively new to the Philly area, actually in the burbs but was going to comment that we were driving through and walking around Fairmount area (Actually we went to tour the Penitentiary ) and were super impressed with the area. Definitely one to consider.

Fairmount never suffered any major decline and blight when other city neighhorhoods did. So its been easy to just add on to the positives it already had. Proximity to Center City is a definite plus.

[MB1562]

When I lived in Passyunk Square (granted not since 2016), there were always well-to-do looking moms pushing strollers all over the neighborhood and tons of kids out and about. Even when living in Newbold, which is still in the gentrification process, there were always tons of kids out and about with their parents. The playground at 15th and Morris on a warm day after school was like a mini United Nations with the diversity of kids and adults. South Philly has a lot of great family neighborhood choices that are very walkable and close to Center City.