Roxborough is where I do a large share of my business, and it’s one of my favorite parts of Philadelphia for house hacking. Together with Manayunk, it offers a rare mix in the city: a neighborhood feel, access to some of the best parkland in Philadelphia, quick commutes to Center City and steady demand from renters. Here’s what I tell clients who want to house hack in Northwest Philly.
Why Roxborough and Manayunk Work for House Hacking
- Strong rental demand: young professionals, grad students and workers drawn by Main Street, nearby East Falls and Jefferson University, and easy access to Center City
- Commuter access: the Manayunk/Norristown Regional Rail line (Manayunk, Wissahickon and Ivy Ridge stations), SEPTA bus routes along Ridge Avenue, and quick routes to Kelly Drive and I-76
- Lifestyle: Wissahickon Valley Park, the Schuylkill River Trail and the restaurants and shops on Main Street
- A range of property types: twins, rowhomes, single-family homes, duplexes and converted multi-unit properties
The Sub-Areas, and What to Expect in Each
Manayunk
Manayunk’s steep, historic streets are lined with rowhomes and twins, many within walking distance of Main Street and the train. Some properties have been converted into two or more units, and well-located apartments rent quickly. Parking, steep lots and older construction are part of the trade-off, so inspections matter.
Central Roxborough (along Ridge Avenue)
The Ridge Avenue corridor is the heart of Roxborough, with shops, restaurants and bus service. You’ll find twins, rowhomes, duplexes and some apartments above storefronts. This is where many of my house-hacking clients start, because it balances price, rentability and convenience.
Wissahickon and East Falls Border
Closer to Wissahickon station and the East Falls border, homes are near the train and Jefferson University, which supports rental demand. Expect a mix of older twins and multi-unit conversions.
Upper Roxborough and Andorra
These areas are more suburban, with larger lots and mostly single-family homes near the Wissahickon and the Montgomery County line. House hacking here usually means renting out a finished basement, in-law suite or rooms rather than buying a classic duplex.
Nearby: Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill
If you love the Northwest but want something different, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill offer beautiful twins, stone homes and some small multifamily properties. Prices are generally higher, so it can be harder to find a house hack that cash flows, but the right property is out there.
Philadelphia Rules to Check Before You Buy
- Legal unit count: confirm the number of legal units with the City’s zoning and L&I records. Many converted properties aren’t legal for the number of units being rented.
- Rental license: Philadelphia requires a rental license from the Department of Licenses and Inspections for each rental unit you lease, even in an owner-occupied duplex.
- Lead-safe certification: rentals built before 1978 must be certified lead-safe or lead-free before a new lease begins.
- Certificate of Rental Suitability: landlords must give tenants this certificate at the start of each lease.
- Homestead exemption: as an owner-occupant, you can apply for Philadelphia’s Homestead Exemption to lower your property tax bill.
The Engineer’s Eye Matters Here
Much of Roxborough and Manayunk’s housing stock is 80 to 100+ years old. On hillside lots and older conversions, I pay close attention to the electrical service and wiring, separate meters for each unit, water management on sloped lots, retaining walls and stone foundations. Knowing these costs before you offer is what keeps a house hack profitable.
Also see: House Hacking in Northeast Philadelphia · Best Bucks County Towns to House Hack · FHA Loans for Duplexes in PA
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Roxborough a good place to house hack?
Yes. Roxborough offers twins, duplexes and converted multi-unit properties, strong rental demand, access to Regional Rail and Ridge Avenue buses, and a neighborhood feel, often at lower prices than many other popular Philadelphia neighborhoods.
What’s the difference between Roxborough and Manayunk for house hacking?
Manayunk is denser and walkable to Main Street and the train, with mostly rowhomes and twins on steep streets. Roxborough has more variety, from twins and duplexes along Ridge Avenue to larger single-family homes in Upper Roxborough and Andorra.
Do I need a rental license to rent out part of my home in Philadelphia?
Yes. Philadelphia requires a rental license from the Department of Licenses and Inspections for rental units, and pre-1978 rentals must be certified lead-safe or lead-free before a new lease begins.
Can I use an FHA loan to house hack in Roxborough?
Yes. FHA loans can be used for 1–4 unit properties as long as you live in one unit. Triplexes and fourplexes must also pass the FHA self-sufficiency test.
Alan Asriants is a real estate agent licensed in Pennsylvania and New Jersey since 2017, an electrical engineer (Penn State) and an investor who grew a single house hack into an 18-unit rental portfolio. He leads The Asriants Team at New Century Real Estate.