Logan-Ogontz-Fern Rock - Philadelphia, PA Area Guide

Northwest Philadelphia has a rich history. The completion of the Broad Street Subway in the late 1920s allowed more people to populate the area yet still get to the city for only 15 cents. Logan is named for James Logan, one of William Penn's advisers who owned a plantation in the area. You can still visit his house today, which has been turned into a museum. The area of Fern Rock is named for arctic explorer and surgeon Elisha Kent Kane's estate house, which no longer exists. Northwest Philly is also home to LaSalle University's Art Museum, an impressive six-gallery museum that has revolving shows.

The restaurants in Logan-Ogontz-Fern Rock feature authentic cuisine from all the over the world. Most of the restaurants are on or just off Broad Street. If you're missing the islands, try Ron's Caribbean Cuisine on Broad and Chew Street. This casual spot has all your Caribbean favorites: jerk chicken, beans, cabbage, and rice. The oxtails, however, are the real reason to go there.

Don't miss the cheesesteaks at Max's Steaks on Germantown Avenue. Some say it deserves the "best cheesesteak in the city" moniker, a title hotly contested between the residents of Philadelphia, but you must decide for yourself. Besides its famous cheesesteaks, Max's has burgers, fries, and salads.

Seorabol Korean Restaurant is a great date place with a casual but upscale atmosphere and a diverse menu of Korean delights. Excellent service and perfectly-seasoned barbecue makes this place a local favorite, but it also has plenty of vegetarian options. Make sure to try one of the Korean speciality beers with your BBQ.

While the area is not as wrought with nightlife and bars as Center City, it holds its own if you don't want to head downtown. Try Charley B's Bar and Grill for a low-key night out. Charley's has daily specials and its own signature fruity drink. The kitchen stays open until 1 a.m.

Transportation in Philadelphia is run by SEPTA. Most residents utilize the Broad Street Line (Orange Line), which runs north and south on Broad Street and runs through most of Philadelphia. Get on at the Olney or Fern Rock station. Your fare includes, if you wish, a free transfer to the Market-Frankford Line (Blue Line, or also just called "The El"), which goes east and west. Numerous buses take you where the two main subways don't service. Cabs are usually hailed easily on Broad Street, or use your smartphone to book an Uber.

To get further from town, go to one of three regional rail stops in the area to board a train to the suburbs, or head to 30th Street Station to catch an Amtrak Train. You can also hop on the Airport Line to Philadelphia International.

Philadelphia's Fairmount Park system is one of the largest urban parks in the world, so you have plenty of options for outdoor fun. Fisher Park, located on Spencer Street in Olney, offers playground equipment for the kids, picnic tables, basketball courts, and volleyball courts. Don't neglect this place in the winter, as it has one of the best sledding hills in otherwise flat Philadelphia.

If you are looking for a place for your dog to get some exercise, check out Palmer Doggie Depot, a dog park in nearby Fishtown. Kemble Park, which borders both Logan and Ogonotz, is a cozier option if the Fairmount Park system is overwhelming. It's also a popular place for teenagers to play a pick-up game of basketball.

This section is one of the more affordable areas of Philadelphia, and the cost of living is lower than the city average. Transportation is fairly inexpensive, as you can get a ride on the Broad Street Line or a bus ride to Center City for $2.25. A cab ride to City Hall is about $10. You can grab a domestic beer at the local bar for $3.

A one-bedroom apartment in Logan-Ogontz-Fern Rock runs about $750 a month, which makes it one of the cheapest areas to live in Philly while still being close to the action. Gas prices in Philadelphia run 14 percent higher than the national average.

For bigger purchases, most residents head to the suburbs or Center City to shop, but there are some great little gems in the area that are locally owned, such as Rose Jewelers and Latin Fashion.

Like much of the city, the grocery stores are limited in this area. However, there's a large ShopRite in Olney Shopping Plaza as well as a FreshGrocer on Temple University's campus a few miles down Broad Street.

Every Saturday, Olney Transportation Center hosts a seasonal farmer's market from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. In addition, several CSAs in neighboring areas deliver fresh produce to you, such as Henry's Got Crops.