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Buy a House in Nation's 2nd Hottest Neighborhood for Under $200K

By Megan Ritchie Jooste
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By Megan Ritchie Jooste
2 comments / new

Dickinson Narrows, that little nugget of a neighborhood nestled between Pennsport and East Passyunk, has been ranked as Redfin's 2nd-hottest neighborhood of 2015, coming in second to San Diego's El Cerrito neighborhood on their "Hottest Neighborhoods of 2015″ list. The report asserts that the Dickinson Narrows, also known as "Dickinson Square West," offers affordable options for homebuyers not wanting to stray too far from Center City.

It's also located in South Philly, which is becoming a hotspot for first-time homebuyers and suburban relocators. Dickinson Narrows has its own enclave of popular restaurants and bars and it's surrounded by scenic parks and playgrounds. It's also one of the few neighborhoods downtown you'll find with spare parking and garages, which is at a premium in South Philly.


-Blakely Minton, Redfin Philly agent Here are ten properties that you can buy now in Dickinson Narrows/Dickinson Square West that are going for under $200,000, a hair above the area's median sale price of $192,000, in case you've decided that block parties, striped awnings, traffic cones, and pizzelles are really kind of your thing, after all.


· The hottest neighborhoods of 2015 [Redfin]
· 3 Bedroom, 3 Bath, 3,000 square feet in Pennsport [Curbed Philly]

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$189,900 on Manton

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The listing doesn't give us much info about this 65 year old, 2 bedroom home besides the fact that it has "hardwood floors, updated kitchen, and bathroom." But it does point out that the 832 square-foot abode sits on "one of the hottest blocks in Pennsport," so there you go.

533 Manton Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

$178,000 on Cross Street

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This 1,000 square foot residence has three bedrooms, one bath, and a giant concrete scar above the front door where really for pity's sake someone please put the awning back.

514 Cross Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

$169,000 for Grey House on Morris

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This three bedroom, one bath residence sits closer to the south end of Dickinson Narrows and is pretty much all about its sleek silvery awnings draped above the front door and second floor windows.

521 Morris Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148

$169,000 for Skylight on Moore

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This renovated two bedroom, two bath residence features a large master bedroom, skylight, a laundry room with washer and dryer, a finished basement, and a good-sized patio out back.

515 Moore Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148

$164,900 for "Doll House"

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The listing describes this two bedroom, one bath residence as a "doll house." Or does it say that it includes a "doll house?" In any case, this place has character, to be sure.

1336 South Fairhill Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

$159,990 on Orkney

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This three bedroom, one bath home is now being offered with a $20,000 price reduction since being listed 150 days ago. Located on a small discontiguous street between Tasker and Morris, this home features a "dining room with space for your China cabinet," a nice-sized backyard, and the potential for year-round block parties and parking wars with your neighbors.

1616 South Orkney Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148

$149,900 on Cross Street

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This three bedroom, one bathroom little 1,000 square foot town house near Dickinson Square Playground is a bit of a fixer-upper, but is nestled in a pretty good location: it has a partial basement with heater and hot water tank, and neighbors who may let you use their LittleTikes basketball net if you ask nicely.

523 Cross Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

$139,000 for Pierce Street Garage

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This is a 16' by 48.75' garage ripe for redevelopment. It sits less than a block away from leafy Dickinson Square Playground, and gives you the option to DIY your own Dickinson Narrows pad, with or without the obligatory South Philly awnings yawning over each street-facing window.

503 Pierce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148

$109,000 for Fixer-Upper on Pierce

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This three bedroom, one bathroom residence is being sold as-is, and is a "great investment property," the listing asserts, "or handyman special."

411 Pierce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148

$79,900 for Tear-Down on Sigel

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Located near the southern-most border of Dickinson Narrows, this property has been on the market for 91 days, and needs a lot more than just a little TLC. The listing says: "Property is in need of total rehab. Buyer is responsible for U&O and any violations that may be attached. It will be interesting to watch this space, as the listing says it can be purchased as a package with MLS6475970, MLS6475962, MLS6475983 and MLS6475974.

419 Sigel Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148

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$189,900 on Manton

533 Manton Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

The listing doesn't give us much info about this 65 year old, 2 bedroom home besides the fact that it has "hardwood floors, updated kitchen, and bathroom." But it does point out that the 832 square-foot abode sits on "one of the hottest blocks in Pennsport," so there you go.

533 Manton Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

$178,000 on Cross Street

514 Cross Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

This 1,000 square foot residence has three bedrooms, one bath, and a giant concrete scar above the front door where really for pity's sake someone please put the awning back.

514 Cross Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

$169,000 for Grey House on Morris

521 Morris Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148

This three bedroom, one bath residence sits closer to the south end of Dickinson Narrows and is pretty much all about its sleek silvery awnings draped above the front door and second floor windows.

521 Morris Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148

$169,000 for Skylight on Moore

515 Moore Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148

This renovated two bedroom, two bath residence features a large master bedroom, skylight, a laundry room with washer and dryer, a finished basement, and a good-sized patio out back.

515 Moore Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148

$164,900 for "Doll House"

1336 South Fairhill Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

The listing describes this two bedroom, one bath residence as a "doll house." Or does it say that it includes a "doll house?" In any case, this place has character, to be sure.

1336 South Fairhill Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

$159,990 on Orkney

1616 South Orkney Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148

This three bedroom, one bath home is now being offered with a $20,000 price reduction since being listed 150 days ago. Located on a small discontiguous street between Tasker and Morris, this home features a "dining room with space for your China cabinet," a nice-sized backyard, and the potential for year-round block parties and parking wars with your neighbors.

1616 South Orkney Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148

$149,900 on Cross Street

523 Cross Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

This three bedroom, one bathroom little 1,000 square foot town house near Dickinson Square Playground is a bit of a fixer-upper, but is nestled in a pretty good location: it has a partial basement with heater and hot water tank, and neighbors who may let you use their LittleTikes basketball net if you ask nicely.

523 Cross Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

$139,000 for Pierce Street Garage

503 Pierce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148

This is a 16' by 48.75' garage ripe for redevelopment. It sits less than a block away from leafy Dickinson Square Playground, and gives you the option to DIY your own Dickinson Narrows pad, with or without the obligatory South Philly awnings yawning over each street-facing window.

503 Pierce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148

$109,000 for Fixer-Upper on Pierce

411 Pierce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148

This three bedroom, one bathroom residence is being sold as-is, and is a "great investment property," the listing asserts, "or handyman special."

411 Pierce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148

$79,900 for Tear-Down on Sigel

419 Sigel Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Located near the southern-most border of Dickinson Narrows, this property has been on the market for 91 days, and needs a lot more than just a little TLC. The listing says: "Property is in need of total rehab. Buyer is responsible for U&O and any violations that may be attached. It will be interesting to watch this space, as the listing says it can be purchased as a package with MLS6475970, MLS6475962, MLS6475983 and MLS6475974.

419 Sigel Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148