6.5 out of 10

Hawthorne

39.9401255484866 -75.1621192793689
Great for
  • Eating Out
  • Internet Access
  • Neighborly Spirit
  • Nightlife
  • Public Transport
Not great for
  • Parking
  • Clean & Green
  • Lack of Traffic
  • Peace & Quiet
  • Pest Free
Who lives here?
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • LGBT+
  • Students
  • Hipsters

Reviews

3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 2/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
2yrs+

"Hawthorne - Up and Coming!"

Hawthorne, nestled between Bella Vista, Washington Square West and Broad Street, was once a neighborhood that you ran through: quick, fast and in a hurry. That is changing with the gentrification that is occurring on both sides of the major artery Broad Street as well as better housing for low income residents.

It was known for the huge, multi-story public housing residences named for the late Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. An implosion featured on all of the television stations demolished this public housing in 1999. The Philadelphia Housing Authority has spent $81 million constructing 245 new two and three story row homes.

More upscale houses are under construction. In recent years, the property values have increased by 9 percent, according to a recent survey by the Philadelphia Inquirer.


The shops still have a “seedy” tone including several pawn shops. Barber and beauty shops are interspersed. However, several classy restaurants such as Ms. Tootsie’s have opened venues on the northern South Street border.

Optimism abounds as longtime residents definitely feel an improvement in the neighborhood. In March 2011 ground was broken on a new park at 12th and Catherine Streets.
Pros
  • Center City is walking distance
  • Close to Italian Market
  • Lots of great restaurants and bars
Cons
  • Limited parking
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • LGBT+
  • Students
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 2/5
  • Clean & Green 2/5
  • Pest Free 2/5
  • Peace & Quiet 2/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 2/5
  • Parking 2/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Something in every direction"

Gentrification will get you sooner or later if you’re a neighborhood located in South Philadelphia, especially if you’re on the east side of Broad Street, Hawthorne is no exception. With new houses being built regularly and old houses being renovated the neighborhood’s property value is increasing. Thus living in the area is becoming more expensive.

The location is part of what is so appealing; most of what attracts people to South Philadelphia is in reach from Hawthorne. It is within walking distance of the shopping district in Center City and the ever changing for the worse, South Street shops. It’s also within reach of the Italian Market and Asian supermarkets along Washington Ave.

Parking in this neighborhood can be a pain and many spots are metered unless you have a neighborhood permit. Public transportation is easily accessible however as it’s conveniently located along the Broad Street line as well as on the routes of several buses. Or you can also always hail a cab; they tend to pass through this area regularly.

Of course as a result of the high foot traffic that runs through this area there is an increase in littering. The streets are covered in the usual South Philly filth but that’s kind of the price you pay to be so close to the excitement.
Pros
  • Close to Italian Market
  • Great for young people
  • Lots of great restaurants and bars
Cons
  • Lots of traffic
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Students
  • Trendy & Stylish
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 2/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Everything at your finegertips"

Hawthorne is a neighborhood located in the South section of Philadelphia. It is bound by Broad Street to the west, South Street to the north, Washington Avenue to the South and 10th Street to the East. The area is also next to the neighborhoods of Bella Vista and Queens Village.
The neighborhood offers many newly renovated row homes to live in as well as Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza, a brand new high-rise housing project complex located at the intersection of 13th Street and Fitzwater Street.
Hawthorne is one of the more expensive areas of the city to live in and the median house sale price us $720,000. This is due to the area being a highly desirable place to live because of its close proximity to Center City and easy access to major highways including I-95 and I-76.
There are many great restaurants and bars worth checking out in Hawthorne, including the Devil’s Den on 10th and Washington which dishes out delicious fare and even features a fireplace to cozy up to in the wintertime.
Hawthorne is a safe neighborhood and is perfect for college students or young professionals. It allows you to have everything South Philly has to offer right at your fingertips.
Pros
  • Lots of great restaurants and bars
  • Close to Italian Market
  • Great for young people
Cons
  • Lots of traffic
  • Can get dirty in some parts
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Students
  • Trendy & Stylish

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