Living in Chestnut Hill, PA
The leafy, compact neighborhood of Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania, combines country living with big city amenities. On the National Register of Historic places, this neighborhood has an abundance of parks and green spaces, and is less than three miles from Cresheim Creek, a tranquil tributary of the Wissahickon Creek that runs through southeastern Philadelphia. Living in Chestnut Hill is ideal if you crave a relaxed pace of life, but still want to be close to world-class theaters, museums and restaurants in "The City of Brotherly Love."
Things to Do
By day, explore the cobblestones of 10-block-long Germantown Avenue - home to boutique shops, art galleries and eateries. Here, you'll find authentic Asian cuisine, busy bistros and delicious Mexican food. The Woodmere Art Museum recalls Philadelphia's cultural legacy with interactive exhibits and classic works from the city's most famous artists, including Benjamin West and N.C. Wyeth. Situated on the western end of Chestnut Hill, the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania is a tranquil 92-acre Victorian green space with landscape gardens and is the perfect place for a picnic.
In the evening, put on your dancing shoes and head to the Mermaid Inn, famous for its open mic nights and live folk music. The bar dates back to 1734 and is a Chestnut Hill, PA, institution, attracting the city's most seasoned guitarists.
Housing in Chestnut Hill
The Chestnut Hill neighborhood is home to Victorian twin and row houses, historic mansions and spacious apartments. You'll find many hallmarks of classic mid-19th-century architecture throughout the Chestnut Hill Historic District, such as the towers and turrets of Graver's Lane Station and the postcard-perfect Inglewood Cottage, designed by Thomas Ustick Walter. Family homes for sale in Chestnut Hill are spacious and have period features, but don't come with the seven-figure price tag found on the condos in downtown Philadelphia.
Transportation and Travel in Chestnut Hill
Chestnut Hill became a popular commuter town during the early 19th century and is still a streetcar suburb today. Living in Chestnut Hill offers many advantages, including speedy access to Century City, the booming business district that lies only 12 miles away. Part of the SEPTA Regional Rail system, the Chestnut Hill West Line departs from Germantown Avenue and takes you to top-ranked research institution Temple University in less than an hour. On SEPTA's Chestnut Hill East Line, Chestnut Hill East station connects to the nearby neighborhoods of Germantown and Nicetown-Tioga and eliminates any worries about finding a parking space.
