Connor Barwin Should Go Full Hipster

By now you’ve probably read that Connor Barwin has put his Rittenhouse condo up for sale. Finally. We love Barwin, but how long could this ruse continue?

IMG_4685We all know Connor rides SEPTA and his bike to get around town. We know he’s into live indie rock and friends with Kurt Vile. I’d even wager that he pounds a pounder of PBR or Narragansett. Basically, he’s a hipster in an NFL player’s body.

The problem, or it was a problem, is that no self-respecting hipster lives in Rittenhouse.

Connor basically has two choices. He must decide between the two hipster battlegrounds: East Passyunk and Fishtown. There are hipster communities in deep South Philly and in “New” Kensington, but there’s no denying that East Passyunk and Fishtown are the hipster capitals of Philly.

Here’s to making things easier for Connor. Let’s take a look at the pros/cons of each neighborhood.

FISHTOWN:

Pros:
-Sugarhouse casino provides 24 hour entertainment.
Johnny Brenda’s and Kung Fu Necktie provide solid outlets for live music.
-Short bike ride to PhilaMoca and Union Transfer.
Ekta Indian Restaurant might be the best Indian in the city.
Loco Pez -bascially one of my top three places to grab grub and drinks
Kraftwork for one of the best draft beer lists in town.
Delicious Boutique for all his punk rock/leather gear
Amrita Yoga to stay in fit.
-Penn Treaty Park
-Arctic Splash Iced Tea

Cons:
-Expensive Uber/cab ride into the city
-Longer commute to work
-No great grocery store nearby
-Proximity to The Piazza

Here’s a nice listing with 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths in the heart of Fishtown for a cool $848,000.00. That’s a bargain compared to the Rittenhouse world.

EAST PASSYUNK:

Pros:
-Tons of great food from new spots like Vegan Commissary and Stateside to the old staples like Marras and Villa Da Roma.
-Great shops along the “Avenue” like Fabric Horse and Urban Jungle.
-Live shows at Boot & Saddle, Connies Ric Rac, TLA
Pub On East Passyunk (P.O.P.E.) and The Dive and Garage.
-Geno’s & Pat’s (24 hour eats)
-Burgers at Fountain Porter
-Easy bike ride to work and to FDR Park
Center City Soft Pretzels opening weeknights at 12 a.m. for post bar bites.
Sabrina’s for brunch.

Cons:
-Parking
-Congested
-19147 Post office with lines that run days long

Here’s a nice listing with 4 bedrooms, 4 full baths and 2 half baths for a reasonable $1,150.000.00 at 10th & Cross. A bit more expensive than Fishtown, but probably due to the proximity to center city.

I’m kind of torn. If I had a nice bankroll, I might go East Passyunk. However, Connor can easily swing a small condo in both areas or a crash pad in one. Here’s hoping he doesn’t hit the suburbs!