8.4 out of 10

Fox Chase

Ranked 5th best neighborhood in Philadelphia
40.0756851886727 -75.0775551192808
Great for
  • Medical Facilities
  • Parks & Recreation
  • Clean & Green
  • Peace & Quiet
  • Safe & Sound
Not great for
  • Nightlife
  • Gym & Fitness
  • Shopping Options
  • Eating Out
  • Public Transport
Who lives here?
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Country Lovers
  • Singles
  • Tourists

Reviews

5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 2/5
  • Nightlife 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 5/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Where the city, suburbs and farmland come together."

Fox Chase is located in Northeast Philadelphia, and is a great place for suburban dwellers and farm lovers, even though it falls within Philadelphia’s boundaries. Bordered by Montgomery County, Fox Chase contains sprawling green space and detached homes. The population of the area is primarily white and middle-class, with many singles and couples.

The types of homes vary from single-family homes to townhouses and apartment complexes. Homeowners and renters are divided 50/50 – the large renter population also means a lack of children. The homes are generally older, but well maintained. Most residents have at least one car per person/couple; however, those who wish to commute into the city have access to the Fox Chase Line on the SEPTA Regional Rail. This commute can be lengthy at over 30 minutes, but is a sustainable and cost-effective option.

Fox Chase is most well known for the Fox Chase Cancer Center, a National Cancer Institute that has won many awards. It is the largest employer in the area, creating a strong economy and healthcare network. Fox Chase is also known for parks and farmland; this includes Pennypack Park, which features bike trails, hiking paths, playgrounds and paths for horseback riding. Additionally, Fox Chase Farm is one of the few functioning farms that still exists within Philadelphia County; this acts as a classroom for the School District of Philadelphia and 4H clubs. The Fox Chase Golf Club is a public course that draws in locals and visitors alike.

Overall, this small Philadelphia subset is a great option for city workers who love nature and don’t mind a commute into the city, or professionals who are employed in bordering suburbs. It is not ideal for children, but suited for young professionals, single or coupled.
Pros
  • Parks and Farmland
  • Fox Chase Cancer Center
  • Quiet area to live in
Cons
  • Long commute
  • Far from Center City
  • High prices
Recommended for
  • Tourists
  • Country Lovers
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 2/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 2/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"Suburbia in Northeast Philadelphia"

Fox Chase is a suburban area in Northeast Philadelphia. The name comes from the Fox Chase Inn, opened in 1705, which catered to huntsmen out for fox.

In the earlier centuries, Fox Chase was a vacationing spot for the artistocrats from the city. Once people realized the surburbia feel to Fox Chase they began to move to the area, building mansion style homes. Now, much of the real estate are single family and twin homes. The structures feature well manicured lawns and are beautifully built, two- and three-stories high.

The neighborhood is comprised of gorgeous homes as well as the Pennypack Park and Burholme Park. The Pennypack Park, composed of woodlands, meadows, and wetlands, is place for serenity. Pennypack Creek runs through the park all the way to Delaware River. Both parks include playgrounds, hiking/biking trails and Pennypack also has paths for horseback riding.

The neighborhood has a few notable and rather historic structures. Fox Chase Farm is one of the only farms remaining in Philadelphia County. There are also three other notable locations deemed as historic - The Knowlton Mansion, The Verree House and The Ryerss Mansion.

The area's largest employer is the Fox Chase Cancer Center. It serves as a research facility, as well as a treatment center. The facility's researchers have received numerous Nobel Prizes for their contributions.

Fox Chase has 5 schools, including Fox Chase Elementary, and a number daycares. There is also a library in the area. The Fox Chase Recreation Center has tons of activities and events for adults and children. These include, but are not limited to indoor/outdoor soccor, baseball, drama club, and Zumba.

Public transportation includes the Fox Chase Line for the regional rail. SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) also has a couple of bus routes in the vicinity. Not having a vehicle is not a great option due to the lack of public transporation.

Fox Chase is a beautiful neighborhood with good schools, great medical facilities and abundance of nature. It's a great place to raise a family or retire. In the very least, the neighborhood is well worth the visit.
Pros
  • Family friendly
  • Quiet area to live in
  • relaxing
  • Parks!
Cons
  • Far from Center City
  • expensive
Recommended for
  • Professionals
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 1/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
  • Schools 5/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"Borrow a cup of sugar type of place"

Fox chase is a nice neighborhood and has its own little charm. The houses are in quiet neighborhoods and quite safe. The school that your kids would go to would probably be greenburg or baldi, both of which are great schools. Pennypack park is in this area so it's a big plus. They offer a lot of different events like "Sheep Shearing Festival" and sell a lot of homemade yummies. The park itself is big and beautiful with lots of activities to partake in from biking to horse back riding to fishing. As for fitness, joggers like going in the park and with so many people around keeping a close eye on things, there's not really any crime.
Pros
  • Family friendly
  • Quiet area to live in
  • relaxing
  • Parks!
  • Pennypack Park
Recommended for
  • Professionals
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 2/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 2/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"A Serene Place To Live In Philly"

The family-friendly neighborhood of Fox Chase may seem a bit too far away for the city for some, but the regional rail lines to get you into the city and the friendly feel of this area are major attractions for others. With easy access to Pennypack Park and a somewhat thriving real estate market, Fox Chase continues to be a great spot for families to buy homes.

Located in NE Philly, which sometimes gets a bad rep, Fox Chase is home to the Fox Chase Cancer Center and the Fox Chase Farm. Perhaps because the well-known medical facility is here, doctors and other medical center employees have moved into the area and improved the neighborhood's resale and rental values. Here you can find larger homes and well-appointed apartment buildings.

Though far from Center City, Fox Chase is still one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Northeast Philly and will most likely continue to be a popular place to live north of Cottman Ave. The relaxing and safe feel of this neighborhood makes the commute to the city more bearable for most.
Pros
  • Family friendly
  • Quiet area to live in
  • relaxing
  • Pennypack Park
Cons
  • Far from Center City
  • bit of a commute
  • expensive
Recommended for
  • Professionals
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
2yrs+

"Fox Chase - Chasing a Cure for Cancer"

Worldwide, this area on the outskirts of Philadelphia is best known for the cancer treatment center: The Fox Chase Cancer Center. Many discoveries have occurred at this facility founded in 1904 including: Hepatitis B virus and vaccine as well as the first mouse model of malignancy. In 2004, a Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to researcher Irwin Rose. Presently, there are talks of an affiliation with Temple University.

The origins of Fox Chase, however, are located in its name. During the Colonial Period, hunters actually chased foxes to bring back game to the settled portions of the city.

There is a suburban-like feel to the neighborhood that has boundaries which include: Fillmore Street, Hartel Avenue, and Hasbrook Avenue in the Northeast. Jeanes Hospital is also a major facility servicing the area. Burholme Park provides amble recreation space.

The area has experienced a major decline in property values by some 11 percent according to a recent survey by the Philadelphia Inquirer.
There are two Regional Rail Stations however having a car would be useful.
Pros
  • Family friendly
  • Parks!
  • Quiet area to live in
  • relaxing
Cons
  • Far from Center City
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Country Lovers
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"A farm in the city!"

I’m originally from the Midwest so I appreciate areas that remind me of home even if it’s in the slightest way. The neighborhood known as Fox Chase gives me that sort of hometown longing. Nestled in the far northeast corner of Philadelphia, Fox Chase gets its name from the regular fox hunting that occurred on its vast grounds.

Fox chase was the land of choice for the wealthy and much of this can be seen by the architecture in the homes. Historic landmarks such as Ryerss Mansion which holds many artifacts and antiques that belonged to the Ryerss family is one of major examples of this rich history.

Also located in Fox Chase is the farm of the same name Fox Chase Farm which is the only farm still active in Philadelphia County. It was purchased by the city in the 1970s and is now run by volunteers and used as an educational farm for the school district.

Another appealing aspect of Fox Chase is the nearby parks such as Pennypack Park whose creeks run through Fox Chase. There are a lot of great trails, picnic areas and playground within the area that make it a great spot for families and couple or anyone who just wants to get away from the fast pace of the city. Getting there by bus takes some time but it’s doable and definitely worth it.
Pros
  • Parks!
  • relaxing
Cons
  • expensive
  • bit of a commute
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • Country Lovers
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 2/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"One pretty little neighborhood"

Fox Chase is a neighborhood located in the Northeast section of Philadelphia. It received its name after the affluent citizens who resided there who enjoyed fox hunting. The neighborhood is bound by Pennypack Creek to the north, Filmore Street to the west, Township Line Road to the south and Dungan Road to the east.
It is one of the more attractive areas of the city to live in because it offers both urban and suburban characteristics. There are many large homes located in Fox Chase that are ideal for families with children. Fox Chase offers moderately expensive home prices, but it is well worth it.
There are many beautiful parks located in this neighborhood including Pennypack Park. Pennypack Park features forests, meadows and wetlands and runs from Pine Road all the way to the Delaware River. Some of the recreational activities that can be enjoyed at this park include horseback riding, hiking and biking. The park also has many playgrounds that are perfect for kids.
Fox Chase is also home to Fox Chase Farm, the only remaining active farm in Philadelphia.
There are many public transportation services available in Fox Chase including several SEPTA bus routes and the Fox Chase Line regional rail service which terminates near Rhawn Street and Oxford Avenue.
Pros
  • Pennypack Park
  • Quiet area to live in
  • Family friendly
Cons
  • High prices
  • Far from Center City
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Tourists
  • Country Lovers

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