Meeting new people is easy when you check out these Philadelphia neighborhoods
Even for the biggest extroverts, it can be difficult to make friends in a new city. Luckily, getting settled in the City of Brotherly Love is a little easier, as the residents of many Philadelphia neighborhoods live up to the city’s nickname. You’ll find that community vibes and friendly faces will welcome you in Philly, especially when you visit certain parts of town. Philadelphia’s neighborhoods are filled with people who want to connect if you know where to go.
Wondering where you should go in Greater Philadelphia to meet new people? Choosing a cool coliving space in Philadelphia can make it easier to connect with fun people. You can check out our list below to learn more about the best Philadelphia neighborhoods to mix, mingle and connect with the people around you.
1. Be sure to check out Philly Center City to meet new people and experience the city
If you love the hustle and bustle of the city, you’ll want to make your way to Philly Center City. This is the city’s busiest and most-densely packed area, and it’s filled with cultural and historical gems, not to mention entertainment options aplenty. As Philadelphia’s downtown area, you’ll find an impressive skyline and some of the most historic neighborhoods, including Old City in the east and Society Hill to the South of Old City.
Wondering where this area is located? You’ll enjoy the beauty of the Delaware River to the east and the Schuylkill River to the west, while Spring Garden Street is to the north and South Street, as you might have guessed, is to the south.
This Philadelphia area is always bustling with activity and it’s a top destination for travelers. You’ll find popular tourist attractions and monuments (many of which are situated on Independence Mall), a wealth of hotels, and tons of restaurants and bars. Although the entire area contains more dining options than any other part of the city, you’ll want to head to the Chinatown and Old City neighborhoods to find the best eats and nightlife in Philly Center City.
Other Philadelphia neighborhoods where you can meet new people include Midtown Village, which is home to the city’s thriving LGBTQ+ community, Friendship Gate and Rittenhouse Square, which offers fine dining and incredible shopping. With so much variety and activity in Philly Center City, you’ll have no trouble finding places to meet new people who range from tourists to lifelong Philadelphians.
2. University City is a hub of activity and the academic epicenter of Philadelphia
There’s nothing like the vibe of a college campus. It’s youthful, exciting, and electric, and University City offers these feelings times two. In the heart of West Philadelphia, you can find the academic capital of the entire state. This neighborhood is home to two large and influential schools: the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University. This educational enclave brings innovation and a passion for the arts and culture to this part of Philly.
The busy sidewalks of this area are bordered by University Avenue and Market Street to the South and North, respectively. You’ll find 30th Street is the east border, while 38th Street marks the western edge of this Philadelphia neighborhood.
As you would expect from an area that houses two major universities, you can find an eclectic collection of people and places making their home in this neighborhood. The food scene ranges from tempting street-food vendors to establishments run by world-famous chefs. For things to do in University City, you can check out one of the high-end art galleries or make your way to one of the intimate bars in the area to pass the time and make some new friends.
3. Queen Village combines the best of old and new in Philadelphia
You might not think that being home to some of the city’s oldest buildings would make an area a good place to meet new people. However, Queen Village celebrates its history while embracing modern energy. This Philadelphia neighborhood is famous for being a great place to enjoy some of the best fashion, food, and fun in the city.
When you first set foot in this waterfront neighborhood, the historic beauty and charm truly shine. The narrow blocks are lined by beautiful architecture and mature trees, highlighting the area’s roots as a working-class suburb. In the mid-1800s, this area became part of the city proper, which the residents of Queen Village celebrate today.
One of the best features of this neighborhood is that it’s easy to navigate it on foot or by bicycle. There is a wealth of close-to-home options for food, drinks, and shopping, which means residents don’t have to travel far to experience some of the best of Philly.
When it comes to which areas to check out, Fabric Row along 4th Street stands out. Named for the fabric shops that line it, this street also features some of the top destinations for shopping and dining in the area. Slightly off of Fabric Row is 2nd Street, which is another area you should check out when exploring Philadelphia neighborhoods. This part of the neighborhood features a public green space and cafes in the south as well as bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and a weekend farmers market to the north. Any of these destinations is a great place to meet a fellow Philadelphian.
4. Fairmount is the ideal place to meet art lovers in Philly
Philadelphia is home to countless world-class museums, but it’s art museums truly stand out among the rest. Located just north of Philly Center City, Fairmount is known as the “Art Museum Area,” because it’s within walking distance of several incredible art institutions. Some examples include the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Barnes Foundation, and the Rodin Museum. These museums help give Fairmount its unique charm. You’ll also find local art galleries here in Fairmount Park
Depending on how you define the neighborhood, the boundaries of it can fluctuate. However, most people tend to say that Spring Garden Street is to the north and Girard Avenue is to the south, while Broad Street is to the west and the Schuylkill River borders the east.
The best of Philadelphia art museums are here, but this Philadelphia neighborhood offers much more than its thriving art scene. It’s also famous for offering close proximity to lovely green spaces and an amazing restaurant scene. When it comes to nature, Fairmount Park can’t be beaten. This massive urban park rests on both banks of the Schuylkill River, and it includes gentle trails, shaded woodlands, and relaxing waterfronts. As for eats in Fairmount, you can find culinary delights from around the world that range from Belgian food to authentic banh mi. This is one of the coolest neighborhoods for restaurant options.
This Philly neighborhood also offers fun annual events to its residents and visitors. Every July, Fairmount residents celebrate the Bastille Day Festival with a Philly twist at the Eastern State Penitentiary. This venue also hosts a haunted attraction in the fall that is known as the Terror Behind the Walls. Between the wealth of events and places to visit, Fairmount makes it easy to get out and meet people.
5. No list of Philadelphia neighborhoods would be complete without Fishtown
When it comes to cool in Philly, Fishtown is one of the hippest neighborhoods around. What was once home to the commercial shad-fishing industry has transformed into the epicenter of art, food, and music in Philadelphia. The Fishtown Philly area is a beautiful blend of working-class residents and artistic newcomers who have worked together to transform the neighborhood into the cultural epicenter that it is today.
The northern border of Fishtown is Girard Avenue, while Lehigh Avenue lies to the south. On the east side of the neighborhood, you can find Front Street, and the famous Delaware River borders the west. Within this area, Philly’s youthful creatives have set up shop and made their homes alongside the longtime residents who have helped to make Fishtown a neighborhood with no shortage of good community vibes. You can find local coffee shops in this youthful and vibrant residential neighborhood where you can easily chat with other residents.
No one is ever bored in Fishtown because the neighborhood features a combination of cocktail lounges, dive bars, high-end dining, quick eats, art galleries, and live music venues. When it comes to food, Pizzeria Beddia is always a crowd-pleaser with its simple but delicious menu. For those looking for some local brew, the Philadelphia Brewing Company is nearby. And music fans can enjoy the best live local acts at Johnny Brenda’s and meet other fellow music lovers.
These fun and friendly Philadelphia neighborhoods make it easy to meet new people
Moving to Philadelphia is an exciting opportunity to experience a thriving city full of art, music, history, culture, and food. It’s also a great chance to meet new people from a wide variety of backgrounds and explore many different interests.
Want to find out more about living in Philly? A coliving space in the City of Brotherly Love may be exactly what you’re looking for. You can enjoy city living for an attainable price by renting a private room in a beautiful shared suite within a friendly home. Explore coliving spaces in Philadelphia today and make friends with residents in your new apartment building.