House of the week: A three-bedroom 1930s twin in West Mount Airy for $425,000

Allen Drew grew up on Long Island, N.Y., and in Charlottesville, Va., and lived in Norristown and Ardmore, but there was never a doubt that the “urban mentality, the small town feel, the vibe, really getting to know your neighbors” made Philadelphia’s Mount Airy neighborhood the place where he wanted to settle down.

All are things that make the area one of Philadelphia’s worst-kept real estate secrets.

So with a pending remarriage, Drew, his fiancee, and his two teenage daughters are moving from West Mount Airy to a larger home in East Mount Airy.

In his current home, Drew, a church pastor for 10 years and now East Coast regional organizer for a faith-based climate justice organization, liked the stone fireplace in the living room, the sun porch, and the crafted built-ins.

There is space to garden in the front but more in the rear, where the southern exposure has enabled Drew to grow vegetables and flowers.

The Victorian-style three-bedroom, one-bath home, built in 1930, has refinished oak hardwood floors and lots of natural light. The front porch is glass-enclosed.

The dining room has room for an eight-seat dining set and a corner cabinet to display glassware.

Drew has made the 1,244-square-foot home environmentally sensitive, with solar roof panels that cover about 60% of the annual demand for electricity, heating, cooling, and charging Drew’s electric vehicle.

There is also a ductless mini-split heat pump system.

The bedrooms are on the second floor, with a ceramic tile bath and Corian vanity.

There is a semifinished room in the basement and a one-car garage.

The house has easy access to Carpenter’s Woods and Fairmount Park, Wissahickon Creek, Weavers Way Co-op, and Allens Lane Art Center.

Center City can be reached easily by bus or Regional Rail.

“I love this house,” Drew said, “but leaving my neighbors is the hardest part.”

The house is listed by Joanne Colino of Elfant-Wissahicklon Chestnut Hill for $425,000.