The Many Benefits of Moving to Mt. Airy

Moving to Mt. Airy

Tucked away in northwest Philadelphia, Mt. Airy is a bit of a natural wonder in the midst of an urban jungle. The Wissahickon section of Fairmount park winds itself through the neighborhood, allowing residents and visitors to forget they’re in the city when they venture off along its trails. Mt. Airy owes its name to William Allen, who built a summer country estate in 1750 at the site of the current Lutheran Theological Seminary on Germantown Ave. He called his home “Mount Airy.”

The major artery through Mt. Airy is Germantown Ave., which divides the area into East and West Mt. Airy. The avenue offers restaurants, shops and galleries, and stays open late the first Friday of every month for Mt. Airy First Friday. The arts thrive in the neighborhood, which is home to Mount Airy Contemporary Artists Space, Mt. Airy Art Garage, the Philadelphia Folksong Society, and the Stagecrafters Theater. And there are plenty of great restaurants and bars in the area, including Avenida, Earth Bread & Brewery, Tiffin and Wine Thief Bistro. And of course, the newly renovated Weaver’s Way Co-Op is a popular spot for local, natural and organic food.

Mt. Airy is also rich in Early American attractions, including Historic Rittenhouse Town, where the first paper mill in North America was built in the 1680s, as well as historic homes such as Upsala Mansion, Wyck, Grumblethorpe and the Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion.

The neighborhood itself is characterized by charming older homes with plenty of character. The region is family-friendly,  and professionals who work in the city will find easy access to downtown via public transportation—or if they’re more adventuresome along bike trails.

Click here for more information on homes available in Mt. Airy.