7.1 out of 10

Lawndale

Ranked 22nd best neighborhood in Philadelphia
40.0406772695131 -75.1023177534692
Great for
  • Internet Access
  • Peace & Quiet
  • Shopping Options
  • Safe & Sound
  • Neighborly Spirit
Not great for
  • Gym & Fitness
  • Nightlife
  • Medical Facilities
  • Pest Free
  • Schools
Who lives here?
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Singles
  • Retirees
  • Students

Reviews

5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 5/5
  • Parking 5/5
  • Cost of Living 5/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Childcare 5/5
2yrs+

"Hidden Gem of Philadelphia Living"

Lawndale should not be confused with Lawncrest. Lawndale is the last stop you can make on this end of the city before entering Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. As it is on the cusp of the suburbs you get a quiet suburban feel without paying the high tax costs of the neighboring suburbs. If you are a savvy buyer you can definitely get the most bang out of your buck by moving here. I have lived in Philadelphia all my life with the exception of college and law school and am well versed in most neighborhoods herein. I moved here to be within walking distance to a really nice regional rail station because I work in center city, to be close to a lot of suburban and urban shopping and playing interests. I have lived in Mt. Airy, Bryn Mawr, West Chester, Center City and so on. Lawndale is a hidden gem where costs are affordable and you get the most for your money. We moved here as a couple but have since raised our small children here in our beautiful home with a country feel and plenty big back yard. They attend a fantastic charter school that has an annual wait list of over 1,000 Philadelphia students. With Charters being a free option in Philadelphia it widens the search possibilities when looking for real estate in the City and figure out where you're money goes the farthest. Our street is quiet, family friendly, and frequented by dog walkers, joggers, power walkers, older couples taking a stroll, mommies strolling their babies in carriages. Neighbors look out for one another and are amiable but not intrusive. It is a hidden gem of a Philadelphia neighborhood.
Pros
  • Walking Distance to Regional Rail
  • Lots of house and land for your money
  • Lots of nice homes
  • Quiet
  • Great for families
  • Friendly Neighbors
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Students
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Not To Be Mistaken With Lawncrest"

Lawndale is a neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia. Once a predominantly white part of the city, the area has become a lot more diverse in recent years.

The neighborhood has a fascinating diversity in home types. There are row homes, single and twin homes, and large estate type homes. Few homes have been built since the 1970's. The majority of homes are 3 bedroom and range from $60,000 to $200,000. Also, there are apartment complexes in the area.

The main business district includes 200 stores of varying degree. This section of Lawndale radiates from the intersection of Oxford and Rising Sun Avenues. There are a few restaurants too, including a sushi place and the famous Larry's Steaks.

Families with children have many options for childcare in the neighborhood. There are no public schools in the neighborhood. There are, however, options for Catholic and Private schools. Lawndale includes 2 elementary, 3 middle and 1 high school.

For public transportation SEPTA provides service on bus routes 18 and 27 and offers regional rail at the Fox Chase Station. For those who drive Rising Sun Avenue is a major roadway in the neighborhood.

In so many words, Lawndale is a nice place to live with everything close by. The neighborhood has gone through some changes in residence but is still on the city's top neighborhoods to live and be.
Pros
  • Friendly Neighbors
  • Lots of nice homes
  • Quiet
Cons
  • Not many public transportation options
Recommended for
  • Professionals
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 2/5
  • Pest Free 1/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Nightlife 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 1/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 1/5
  • Schools 1/5
  • Childcare 1/5
2yrs+

"Lawndale - A low-key experience"

Lawndale began as a community of farmers. The 1890s saw the land divided into smaller parcels and homes began to rise along the wide avenues. In Philadelphia parlance, it was the near northeast and residential living was at its finest. However, time has begun to show wear and tear on the homes and the streets. Notably, it remains the site of several strategically located train stations convenient for people making their way to north Jersey and New York City.

There are two Parish Catholic school St. Williams and Presentation BVM Parish both of which operate schools. The Cedar Grove Christian Academy has established a large educational facility. There are no public schools in the area however Fels High School and Rhawnhurst High School are nearby.

It is a largely Caucasian population that has had some flight to the suburbs. Property values have dropped about 11 percent since 2005. There remains a mixture of housing stock including multi-family, row and single family dwellings.

The Naval Supply Depot is a major employer for the area with some 1,500 in staff. There is also a very large shopping district along Longshore, Pennway and Tyson Avenues.
The area has a library, recreation center, and firehouse.
Pros
  • Great for families
  • Lots of nice homes
  • Quiet
Cons
  • Far away from the center of the city
  • Need car
Recommended for
  • Families with kids
  • Students
3/5 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 3/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Quiet and Lovely"

Lawndale is a neighborhood located in the Northeast section of Philadelphia. It is bound by SEPTA Transportation to the west, Comley Street to the south, Pennway Avenue to the east and Tyson Avenue to the north. The neighborhood is one of the last sections of the city you will come to before entering Montgomery County.
Lawndale has a diverse ethnic population including African Americans, Hispanics, Irish Americans, Polish Americans and Italian Americans. The neighborhood’s residential buildings are just as eclectic as its people and include a mix of row homes, single-family homes, twin-family homes and even larger estate homes that are set back from the street. The median house sale price ranges from $100,000 to $140,000 for a row home and $180,000 to $350,000 for a twin or single home.
Lawndale is one of the safer neighborhoods of Philadelphia and enjoys a suburban quality of life to it. The residents are all close-knit and look out for one another. This makes the neighborhood ideal for families with small kids who are looking for a safer environment to raise their children in. Lawndale is also moderately priced because of the well kept condition
Pros
  • Quiet
  • Lots of nice homes
  • Great for families
Cons
  • Far away from the center of the city
  • Need car
  • Not a lot of shops
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Country Lovers
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 2/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 2/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"Changing with the times"

Lawndale, like many neighborhoods in Philadelphia, is in a period of change. The neighborhood is incredibly diverse which it was not ten years ago. Many of the older residents are leaving and their homes are being purchased by young families with children. The sounds of children playing and laughing are a nice addition to the recently quiet streets. The neighborhood benefits from Lawncrest Recreation Center and the Lawncrest Library, both within walking distance of most of Lawndale.
With the growing diversity comes a greater variety of eating establishments and small shops. Rising Sun Avenue offers a wide array of service and retail stores, most catering to the many cultural and ethnic groups in the neighborhood.
Lawndale is a good neighborhood for family living. Fowever, if you're looking for nightlife, you'll have to look a little longer.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees

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