Someone recently asked me why I am so enthusiastic about living in Chestnut Hill. The first word that came to mind was "community."
As a child, my grandmother would take me to Valley Green to feed the ducks. Afterward, we would head to Germantown Avenue for lunch or a snack. I always felt a sense of delight transitioning from a serene gorge in the woods by a creek to the vibrancy of a bustling city avenue. The childhood memories of Forbidden Drive’s endless tree-filled corridor and trolley rides on Germantown Avenue may very well be what sparked my desire to live here. However, what …
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Someone recently asked me why I am so enthusiastic about living in Chestnut Hill. The first word that came to mind was "community."
As a child, my grandmother would take me to Valley Green to feed the ducks. Afterward, we would head to Germantown Avenue for lunch or a snack. I always felt a sense of delight transitioning from a serene gorge in the woods by a creek to the vibrancy of a bustling city avenue. The childhood memories of Forbidden Drive’s endless tree-filled corridor and trolley rides on Germantown Avenue may very well be what sparked my desire to live here. However, what I have discovered is greater than the natural beauty, magnificent Wissahickon schist homes, and softened city-life vibrancy that define this charming and unique village.
I had never truly experienced a sense of community until the day my wife and I moved to Chestnut Hill. Our new next-door neighbors invited us to their home for pizza with several other neighbors. They insisted we join them, saying we didn’t need to fend for ourselves on move-in day, and they would not take no for an answer. Before long, we began to notice a trend of kindness and welcoming smiles as we walked our dog, Gerty, down the Avenue and along the beautiful tree-lined side streets.
Perhaps it was Gerty who helped us build our community of friends. However, once we experienced the authenticity of the people in our new hometown, we knew our lives would be anchored in Chestnut Hill.
After a few months of settling into our home, we joined the Chestnut Hill Community Association (CHCA). The Local began arriving in our mailbox weekly, bringing us even closer to the heart of what makes Chestnut Hill so special. The CHCA fosters the transformation of neighbors into friends (not to undermine the power of our love for dogs). The Local keeps us engaged and informed about everything happening in Northwest Philadelphia and its close-knit neighborhoods.
As our social life began to flourish, we couldn't deny that neither of us had ever felt so connected to a community. We became familiar with local shop owners and employees. I remember one Saturday morning about six years ago, after reading The Local, Kate and I took a stroll with Gerty. At least three of the shops we visited were ones I had just read about in the newspaper. As silly as it may sound, I felt special talking in person to someone I had just read about hours earlier.
These connections have grown deeper and broader over the years.
When the pandemic disrupted our normal lives, it also took away my dream job. I was running a chiropractic program for a national cancer center. However, the hospital system was unable to sustain its model of integrative oncology care and shut its doors in June 2021. I was left with the decision of what to do next. I quickly realized that I wanted to work in a place I love—my neighborhood.
I opened my chiropractic office on Highland Avenue and immediately joined the Chestnut Hill Business Association (CHBA).
Being a resident, small business owner, and healthcare provider in Chestnut Hill has allowed me to meet people from every corner of 19118, 19119, and beyond. It wasn’t until I opened my practice that I noticed how few Philadelphia residents had ever been to Chestnut Hill, let alone heard of it. This was my opportunity to become a self-appointed ambassador. To this day, when someone unfamiliar with Chestnut Hill visits my office and is taken by our village charm, I offer suggestions on where to eat, which shops might interest them, and where to find trailhead parking for a memorable hike.
A natural impulse has gradually guided me in my efforts to promote sustainability and growth in our residential and business communities.
While I enjoy shopping at Costco like any other consumer needing 10 pounds of dried mango, Kate and I take pride in “keeping it on the Hill.”
In conclusion, there are so many more attributes that have gone unmentioned, such as our history and architecture, cultural offerings, and educational opportunities. From our stunning landscapes to the warmth of our residents, every aspect of this neighborhood contributes to a sense of belonging that is hard to find elsewhere. Chestnut Hill is not just a place to live; it is a community where life is celebrated, connections are made, and memories are created.
I couldn’t imagine calling anywhere else home.
Lastly, taxes are something we are required to pay, but donating to the CHCA and The Local's joint appeal is something Kate and I happily contribute to. We always seem to get more out than we put in.
If you have read this, I hope you will heartily consider making a donation.
Thank you, community!
Jeff Sklar is a resident, local business owner and staunch supporter of the Chestnut Hill Community.