Northwest Living

Why Manayunk, East Falls, and Roxborough are some of the prettiest, pristine parts of Philly.

Fall has come, and too often in Philly we are left devoid of fall's beauty. Too few trees with too slight a breeze means we often yearn for more of those country colored leaves. The options are limited though; barring a move out to the suburbs or a jackpot hit that get you a rittenhouse apartment, there are few good ways to stay connected to Philly while being able to take a deep breath and enjoy the season's change. If this describes you, it may be time to rethink an area you've often heard and too often ignored; it's time you revisit Philly's North West.

Take a drive along Boathouse Row or through Fairmount Park into the rolling hills of some of Philly's most distinct and understated neighborhoods. Too often branded as a "diploma & diapers" area, Manayunk and East Falls offer a unique and familiar feel of suburban life while maintaining the neighborhood vibes that define Philly's city living. Additionally, these neighborhoods remain a stone's throw from the rest of the city, connected by the regional rail, main drives, and backroads to take you anywhere you need to get back to. What sets these neighborhoods apart in many minds is the distinct downtown areas and regional identity often reserved for areas outside Philly proper.

In a market where too often people bet on the "next best place", it might be worth taking a look at some spots that have proven time and time again that they're not just great investments, they're great homes, and great places to build a life. So next time you head down 76, consider instead taking a ride down Kelly Drive, and seeing what beauty waits just beyond the bend.

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