Queen Village

 

Along with being one of its hippest modern areas, Queen Village is one of Philadelphia’s oldest and most attractive neighborhoods. Immediately south of Central City, Queen Village occupies a prime central location along the east bank of the Delaware River. Residents love Queen Village for its trendy shops and eateries, great public schools, and low-key community vibe. With well-maintained historic properties situated on tree-shaded streets, Queen Village is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Philadelphia.

Center City is less than 20 minutes by car or public transportation, 10 minutes by bike, and 22 minutes on foot.

 

Queen Village is a wonderfully walkable neighborhood, with a wide variety of places to eat, drink, and shop all accessible on foot. Originally developed as a working-class suburb, the neighborhood was incorporated into Philadelphia in the mid-1800s. There’s plenty of historic charm on display, with winding streets and narrow alleyways giving it a very different feel from the grid-like layout of Center City a few blocks north.

 

This is one of Philadelphia’s most affluent neighborhoods--the standard income roughly doubles the city average. Queen Village is particularly appealing to young families, as Meredith Elementary is one of the city’s best public schools.

 

Queen Village is home to an eclectic restaurant scene. Hungry Pigeon is a stylish spot with an ever-changing seasonal menu. Other hotspots include Serpico’s fusion of New American cuisine and Asian influences, classic Philly cheesesteaks at Jim’s Steaks, and great wood oven-fired pizzas at Stella. For groceries, you can pick up organic and macrobiotic produce at Essene Market and Café. You can also find a Whole Foods Market, Walmart, and the Italian Market in neighboring Bella Vista.

 

A variety of events take place within Queen Village, including Cinco de Mayo celebrations on South Street and an annual brunch organized by residents to raise funds toward adding additional green space to the community. South Street is home to Theatre of Living Arts as well, a live music venue that hosts many exciting up-and-coming bands.

 

Mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar used South Street as his canvas to create Magic Gardens. Here, you’ll find an enchanting mix of colorful tiles, repurposed bicycle spokes, glass bottles, and other materials spanning more than half a block, with art galleries and a community center inside. Zagar began constructing his masterpiece in the 1960s and continues adding vibrant artwork to South Street today. The Market: Elegant 19th century row houses and modern condominiums.

Properties within Queen Village include attractive Colonials and row houses dating back to the 19th century, along with modern condominiums. Queen Village enjoys a fantastic location with outstanding schools and many local amenities, so it is consistently one of Philadelphia’s most in-demand neighborhoods. Average home prices within Queen Village can be as much as three times the average for the city as a whole.

 

Queen Village is dotted with parks and open space. Shot Tower and Weccacoe Playground are both within the neighborhood’s boundaries, with Sacks Playground and the popular waterfront Spruce Street Harbor Park just outside.