East Mount Airy

Heading northward, East Mount Airy is a neighborhood to the east (or right) of Germantown Avenue. Although it is less tony than its western counterpart, East Mount Airy takes great pride in its logistics. Comprised of tidy row homes, many with fancy back decks, the neighbors association is one of the most cohesive in the city.

East Mount Airy Neighbors publishes a monthly newsletter and sponsors a farmers’ market. There is a Learning Tree and a Community Development Corporation. The community is known for one of the highest voter turnouts in the city and its’ motto is “Working to Make a Good Community Better.” In 2011, a new endeavor is underway with a “Cooking with Who” festival bringing together local residents with prominent chefs from the area.

Transportation is good with a Regional Rail Station and buses that traverse Germantown Avenue. However, the winter months can be difficult because of the hills. Most homeowners have cars and parking is ample.

William Allen’s Mansion served as the focal point for settlements as Philadelphians left the city because of the Yellow Fever Epidemic in the late 1800s. Originally it was the site for the Lenni Lenape Indians.

Divided from West Mount Airy by the avenue known as Germantown, East Mount Airy is considered the working class section of the area. Thus, it is more affordable than its western side but still a diverse neighborhood.

Residents of Mount Airy work hard to keep their neighborhood clean, enjoyable and safe. It is almost as though it is in competition with the esteemed West Mount Airy. There are groups like East Mount Airy Neighbors which addresses issues and concerns of the area as well as planning events. There is a news letter and frequent meetings that residents are encouraged to participate in.

Schools are also abundant in this part of Philadelphia. Mount Airy is near many public and private schools like William Penn Charter School, Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, as well as colleges and universities like Philadelphia University and La Salle University. All of which can be accessed by car of public transportation.

East Mount Airy does have a reputation of having a higher crime rate than that of West Mount Airy and being the poorer of the two sections. The neighborhood is also not has fancy with more obvious wear and tear to the buildings. The residents in this section also tend to be younger with more students moving to East Mount Airy to attend the neighboring schools.