If you’re weighing the two neighborhoods, here is how they compare on the things renters ask about most.

Where are Chestnut Hill and Mount Airy?

The two neighborhoods sit side by side in Northwest Philadelphia, separated by the Cresheim Valley, a wooded stretch of Fairmount Park. Mount Airy lies to the southeast, between the Cresheim Valley and Germantown, and Germantown Avenue divides it into East Mount Airy and West Mount Airy. Most of Mount Airy is in ZIP code 19119. Chestnut Hill lies to the northwest, at the edge of the city, bounded by Northwestern Avenue, Stenton Avenue, the Wissahickon Gorge and the Cresheim Valley. Chestnut Hill is ZIP code 19118.

How do rents compare in Chestnut Hill and Mount Airy?

Average rents below come from RentCafe’s neighborhood market data. Chestnut Hill Village prices are our own starting rents.

Averages: RentCafe, Chestnut Hill data as of October 31, 2026; East and West Mount Airy data as of November 2, 2026. Chestnut Hill Village starting rents as of November 4, 2026. Rents change with availability.

A few things stand out:

• Chestnut Hill Village’s lowest one-bedroom starts below the West Mount Airy average.
• Our 770 sq ft one-bedroom starts at $1,524, about the size of the average Chestnut Hill one-bedroom and $152 less a month.
• Our 1,070 sq ft two-bedroom starts at $2,014, $78 under the Chestnut Hill average, and every two-bedroom has two full baths.

See every layout and price on our affordable apartments page.

Which neighborhood has better train access to Center City?

Both are served by SEPTA’s two Regional Rail lines to Center City:

• Mount Airy: the Chestnut Hill West line stops at Upsal, Carpenter and Allen Lane in West Mount Airy, and the Chestnut Hill East line stops at Mount Airy, Sedgwick and Stenton in East Mount Airy. Bus routes 18, 23, 51, 53 and 71 also serve the area.
• Chestnut Hill: both lines serve the neighborhood, along with bus routes 23, 77, L, 94 and 97.
• Chestnut Hill Village: Wyndmoor station on the Chestnut Hill East line is a short walk from the community, with direct trains to Center City, about 10 miles away.

For trains, drive times and highway access, read Commuting from Chestnut Hill to Center City.

What are the main streets like?

Germantown Avenue runs through both neighborhoods. In Mount Airy, the stone-paved avenue is lined with independent shops, restaurants, galleries, coffee shops and two tented farmers’ markets, and Weavers Way Co-op, a long-running co-op grocery, is in West Mount Airy. In Chestnut Hill, the avenue is paved in Belgian block, with trolley tracks still running down it, and it has cafés and restaurants. From Chestnut Hill Village, Chestnut Hill Market Square, with grocery stores and everyday shopping, is within walking distance.

Which has more parks and green space?

Both neighborhoods border Wissahickon Valley Park, which has more than 50 miles of trails, and the Cresheim Valley runs between them. Chestnut Hill also has Pastorius Park, the Thomas Mill Bridge (the only traditional covered bridge in Philadelphia) and the Morris Arboretum & Gardens, about 2.4 miles from Chestnut Hill Village.

What kind of rental housing will you find?

Much of both neighborhoods was built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Mount Airy is known for large stone Victorian, Colonial Revival and Cotswold-style houses on tree-lined streets, and Chestnut Hill was listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. In older buildings, features like in-unit laundry, central air and parking vary from home to home, so ask about each one before you sign. Our guide to newly renovated apartments has a checklist.

At Chestnut Hill Village, every apartment and townhome is newly renovated and includes:

• An in-home washer and dryer
• Hardwood floors, stainless-steel appliances and air conditioning
• A fireplace or private patio or balcony in select homes
• Two-bedroom apartments with two full baths, and townhomes of 1,650 and 2,000 sq ft

Residents share a pool, a fitness center, a yoga room, a bark park and indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi lounges. See all amenities.

So where should you rent?

• Mount Airy may suit you if your budget is your first priority, or if you want stations on both train lines close to home.
• Chestnut Hill may suit you if you want to be at the city’s edge, near the Wissahickon and the Morris Arboretum, with Germantown Avenue’s cafés close by.
• Chestnut Hill Village may suit you if you want Chestnut Hill without paying the neighborhood’s average rent, plus newly renovated homes with in-home laundry and a train station a short walk away.

Chestnut Hill vs. Mount Airy FAQs

Is Chestnut Hill more expensive than Mount Airy?

On average, yes. RentCafe lists the average Chestnut Hill rent at $1,897, compared with $1,582 in West Mount Airy and $1,412 in East Mount Airy (fall 2026). Starting rents at Chestnut Hill Village begin at $1,379 for a one-bedroom.

Are Chestnut Hill and Mount Airy next to each other?

Yes. They share a border along the Cresheim Valley, part of Fairmount Park, in Northwest Philadelphia.

Which neighborhood has better train service?

Both are served by SEPTA’s Chestnut Hill East and Chestnut Hill West Regional Rail lines. Mount Airy has six stations between the two lines. Chestnut Hill Village is a short walk from Wyndmoor station on the Chestnut Hill East line.

Do apartments in Chestnut Hill have in-unit laundry?

It depends on the building. At Chestnut Hill Village Apartments, every apartment and townhome has an in-home washer and dryer.

What costs are not included in rent at Chestnut Hill Village?

Residents pay their own gas, electric, water, sewer and trash. Parking is $50 a month unreserved or $100 a month reserved. See parking and utilities.

Helpful links

• Floor plans and prices
• Amenities
• Map and directions
• Living in Chestnut Hill: a renter’s guide
• Chestnut Hill average rents (RentCafe), West Mount Airy, East Mount Airy
• Mount Airy neighborhood (Wikipedia)

Want to see Chestnut Hill for yourself? Schedule a tour, in person or by live video, or call (215) 242-3500.

The post Chestnut Hill vs. Mount Airy: Where to Rent appeared first on Chestnut Hill Village Apartments Blog.

What makes a Philadelphia neighborhood feel suburban?

Renters who say they want “suburban” usually mean four things: green space they can walk to, streets that are quiet at night, a small main street instead of a busy commercial strip, and room to spread out. They usually do not want to give up a train to the city. Northwest Philadelphia is the one part of the city where you can have all of it, because the Wissahickon Valley runs through the middle and keeps development low and spread out.

One detail that surprises newcomers: Wissahickon Valley Park is the second-largest park in Philadelphia, with about 50 miles of trails. Its main path, Forbidden Drive, got its name in the 1920s, when about 1,000 riders on horseback protested a plan to let cars into the park and won. More than a century later, the drive is still car-free.

How do Chestnut Hill, Mount Airy, Roxborough and East Falls compare?

Average rents are RentCafe neighborhood averages as of fall 2026 and vary by building and unit size.

Chestnut Hill: the most suburban-feeling neighborhood inside city limits

Chestnut Hill sits at the top of the city, bordered by Montgomery County on the north and the Wissahickon on the west. Morris Arboretum & Gardens, the official arboretum of Pennsylvania, covers 92 acres with more than 11,000 labeled plants. Germantown Avenue is lined with independent shops, cafés and bakeries. About half of Chestnut Hill households rent, so it’s a real renter’s neighborhood, not just a place to visit.

Mount Airy: leafy streets and a strong sense of community

Just south of Chestnut Hill, across the Cresheim Valley, Mount Airy is known for its large stone houses and for being one of the first successfully integrated neighborhoods in the country. Weavers Way Co-op, a long-running grocery cooperative, anchors much of neighborhood life. It shares both train lines with Chestnut Hill.

Roxborough: hills, views and trails

Roxborough sits across the Wissahickon from Mount Airy. Visit Philadelphia highlights its 35-acre Upper Roxborough Reservoir Preserve and the Thomas Mill Bridge, the city’s only covered bridge. Ridge Avenue is its main street.

East Falls: the shortest trip downtown

East Falls sits along the Schuylkill River, closer to Center City than the other three, with the Schuylkill River Trail at its edge. It feels more compact and less secluded, which suits renters who put commute time first.

Where Chestnut Hill Village fits in

Many suburban-feel neighborhoods in Philadelphia are mostly single-family homes, so finding an apartment community with real amenities can be the hard part. Chestnut Hill Village Apartments, at 7715 Crittenden Street, offers one- and two-bedroom apartments and two- and three-bedroom townhomes, a short walk from Wyndmoor station. Residents have a landscaped pool, fitness center, yoga room, game room, playground, fire pits, a pet spa and a bark park. Read more in our renter’s guide to Chestnut Hill, browse floor plans, or see the full list of amenities.

Frequently asked questions

What part of Philadelphia feels the most like the suburbs?

Northwest Philadelphia, especially Chestnut Hill. It has a small cobblestone main street, large parks and gardens, quiet residential streets and two Regional Rail lines to Center City.

Is Chestnut Hill in Philadelphia or the suburbs?

Chestnut Hill is inside Philadelphia city limits, in the 19118 ZIP code, at the city’s northwest edge next to Montgomery County.

What is the quietest walkable neighborhood in Philadelphia to rent in?

Chestnut Hill and Mount Airy are both quiet and walkable, with shops along Germantown Avenue and direct access to Wissahickon Valley Park.

Which Philadelphia neighborhoods have the most green space?

Neighborhoods along Wissahickon Valley Park, including Chestnut Hill, Mount Airy and Roxborough. The park covers about 2,042 acres with roughly 50 miles of trails.

Are there apartment complexes in Chestnut Hill with amenities?

Yes. Chestnut Hill Village Apartments has a pool, fitness center, yoga room, game room, pet spa and bark park, plus many units have in-home washers and dryers.

Helpful links

• Friends of the Wissahickon for trail maps and park events
• Morris Arboretum & Gardens
• RentCafe Philadelphia rent trends
• Visit Philadelphia: Roxborough

See why Chestnut Hill feels like home. Schedule a tour of Chestnut Hill Village Apartments or call (215) 242-3500.

The post Philadelphia Neighborhoods That Feel Like the Suburbs (Without Leaving the City) appeared first on Chestnut Hill Village Apartments Blog.

How long is the train from Chestnut Hill to Center City?

Chestnut Hill is one of the few Philadelphia neighborhoods served by two SEPTA Regional Rail lines. The Chestnut Hill East line runs on the old Reading Railroad route, and the Chestnut Hill West line runs on the old Pennsylvania Railroad route. Both end in Chestnut Hill and both go straight to Center City.

The station closest to Chestnut Hill Village is Wyndmoor, at 256 East Willow Grove Avenue, a short walk from the community. On SEPTA’s current weekday timetable, a train leaving Wyndmoor at 8:18 AM reaches Jefferson Station at 8:50 AM and Suburban Station at 8:55 AM. Wyndmoor is 10 track miles from Suburban Station and sits in fare Zone 2, and the station has 130 parking spaces if you prefer to drive the last few blocks.

A detail many newcomers miss: the Chestnut Hill East line stops at Temple University on the way in, so Temple students, nurses and staff can ride the same train without transferring.

Train, car or bus: which commute is fastest?

Train times are from SEPTA’s published weekday schedules. Drive times vary with traffic.

How do you get from Chestnut Hill to the PA Turnpike and Route 309?

This is where Chestnut Hill quietly beats many city neighborhoods. Head north on Bethlehem Pike and you reach Fort Washington, where Route 309 (the Fort Washington Expressway) meets the Pennsylvania Turnpike at Exit 339. From there, the Turnpike runs west toward King of Prussia and east toward Bucks County and New Jersey, and Route 309 runs north toward Montgomeryville. If you split your week between the city and a suburban office park, you can reach either without crossing Philadelphia’s busiest traffic.

What does the commute cost?

Train riders pay by zone, and Wyndmoor is in Zone 2. SEPTA Key cards and passes cover Regional Rail, and many Philadelphia employers offer pre-tax transit benefits. If you drive, Chestnut Hill Village offers resident parking for a monthly fee: $50 per month for an unreserved space or $100 per month for a reserved space.

Why commuters choose Chestnut Hill Village Apartments

Chestnut Hill Village sits at 7715 Crittenden Street in Philadelphia’s 19118 ZIP code, close to Wyndmoor station and a few minutes from Germantown Avenue. After the commute, there’s a landscaped pool in summer, a fitness center with cardio and spin equipment, a yoga room and a game room. Most apartments have an in-home washer and dryer, so laundry fits around your work schedule instead of the other way around. Compare layouts on our floor plans page, see everything on the amenities page, or get directions on our map and directions page.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the train from Chestnut Hill to Center City Philadelphia?

About 30 to 35 minutes. On SEPTA’s weekday schedule, Chestnut Hill East trains from Wyndmoor station reach Jefferson Station in roughly 30 minutes and Suburban Station a few minutes later.

Which train station is closest to Chestnut Hill Village Apartments?

Wyndmoor station on SEPTA’s Chestnut Hill East line, a short walk from the community at 7715 Crittenden Street.

Can you live in Chestnut Hill without a car?

Yes, for many renters. Two Regional Rail lines and several bus routes connect Chestnut Hill to Center City, and Germantown Avenue’s shops and restaurants are close by. A car helps for suburban jobs and big grocery runs.

How far is Chestnut Hill from the Pennsylvania Turnpike?

The nearest Turnpike entrance is the Fort Washington interchange (Exit 339), reached by driving north on Bethlehem Pike.

Does Chestnut Hill Village Apartments have parking?

Yes. Unreserved parking is $50 per month and a reserved space is $100 per month.

Helpful links

• SEPTA for Regional Rail schedules, fares and SEPTA Key
• Pennsylvania Turnpike for tolls and travel alerts
• Chestnut Hill Business District: Getting Here

Want to try the commute before you sign? Schedule a tour of Chestnut Hill Village Apartments or call us at (215) 242-3500.

The post Commuting from Chestnut Hill to Center City: Trains, Drive Times and Highway Access appeared first on Chestnut Hill Village Apartments Blog.