If you decide to take the plunge, get in touch. Jennifer Rinnella enthuses about the neighborhood and the city as a whole, We have an incredible balance of museums, sports and arts with an impeccable location, allowing for an equally easy drive to New York, Baltimore, and DC. Your email address will not be published. Having a great public transportation system is one of the biggest perks of living in Philadelphia because you can get by without a car. Folks calling this great city home appreciate the many eclectic and unique neighborhoods that give it a small-town feel. Hopefully, what we've provided will help alleviate some of your anxiety and enable you to decide if Philadelphia is the right place for you. This interactive crime map is a handy resource for determining the level of safety in particular areas. Sign up for helpful guides, interesting topics, and tips from locals. There are incredibly nice suburbs and small towns in both South Jersey and Pennsylvania that are an hour or less from Philadelphia by train or car. 30th Street Station (pictured above) would be the heart, pumping out trains in all directions. November 23, 2012 They say that home is where the heart is, but that may not be true for everyone. In contrast, Rittenhouse Square is quieter and has a Parisian flair. Explore the city's natural beauty at its many outdoor recreation spots while living in Philly! Almost all the streets are one-way and narrow. Moving lots of stuff, especially large pieces of furniture, will be very difficult, tiring and time-consuming. Or perhaps a Tennessean? Many residents go down the shore to one of the many shore points along New Jerseys coast. Be especially careful with I-76, its infamous for choking rush hour traffic. If youre concerned about global warming, heres one of the Philadelphia facts you may want to know: is it above sea level? and so many more. #3 Boston, can be labeled boring depending on what you are into. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) operates a public transit system that includes trains, buses, trolleys, buses, and subways. Philadelphia is a large metropolitan area with a growing population. Center City is perfect for young professionals and families who arent quite ready to settle down or purchase a minivan with a stick figure family on the back windshield. We searched the city to find the best family-friendly activities in Philadelphia, from top-notch museums to fairytale playgrounds. The Liberty Bell is here too. 2, Philadelphia, PA 19146. You can drive on a foreign license for up to 12 months as a tourist but after that you will need to get an American license. Many of the original Colonial homes and streets have been preserved, including Elfreths Alley, where you can freely stroll the 300-year-old cobblestones. The medical institution Graduate Hospital was named for may now be defunct, but the neighborhood's reputation is alive and well. From hikes lined with waterfalls to summits with epic views, these 12 hikes all offer a little something extra to keep your attention. Moving to Philadelphia is a great opportunity to brush up on your history, nourish your artistic side, go on foodie adventures and embrace your inner. Find yours here. The rental price map below will give you a good idea on where you can afford. The Schuylkill River Trail is 75 miles of pedestrian and bike paths that begin in the city and extend to the suburbs. The ethnic diversity of many neighborhoods makes for an incredibly adventurous culinary scene. While Philadelphians enjoy a mostly moderate summer, winters can be quite cold. It also has a low property tax of 0.99%, even lower than across the state in Pittsburgh, where its 2.01%. Maybe you're a South Philly lifer looking for a change or perhaps you're an out-of-towner planning a big move to the City of Brotherly Love. Back to index. The average monthly salary in Philadelphia, after taxes, is around $3,400. Straight to the point: if you want to avoid the areas with the worst crime, dont go north of Girard Avenue or west of 40th Street. Youll regret it if you do. Get acquainted with these neighborhoods: Rittenhouse Square and Old City appeal to those who want to live in the heart of downtown Philadelphia. Like many cities, the City of Brotherly Love is dealing with a crime problem, you can glean some stats from this helpful resource. If helpful, heres a roundup of great hotel options. For example, the flight from Philadelphia to NYC is only 1 hour! With festivals at Great Plaza and stand-up paddleboarding at Penns Landing Marina, no one ever accuses residents of Center City of not getting out much. And with a cost of living significantly lower than Boston, New York, and D.C., Philly is pretty darn affordable for a big city in the Northeast. A lot of folks move to Philadelphia for the well-known universities, whether for themselves of their kids. Living in Philadelphia means having access to all the conveniences of a metropolitan city including public transportation, and all the charm of a small town. Just like, as we get older, we tend to get the face we deserve (paraphrased quote from George Orwell), if you do move to Mexico, you'll likely just become more like yourself. Many of the Founding Fathers called Philly home, too, and the Old City district is a must-see. Life in this quaint neighborhood means leisurely biking amongst stately oaks and architectural facades to find haute fashion on Fabric Row and the perfect IPA at a Headhouse Square pub. Compared to New York, Philly is a bargain. And thats it. If your wife reveals that she secretly wrote a book during her lunch breaks and . Hot during the summers and chill in the . Each has something to offer, either to live or to visit. Practical Bathroom Organization Ideas for Real Life How to Pack Dishes for Moving and Shipping, How to Keep Your House Organized Easily All Week Long. Should you move to Philadelphia PA | Pros and Cons about philly 38,674 views Dec 9, 2020 573 Dislike Share Save Luna Ge Real Estate 18.5K subscribers Subscribe to my channel:. As for deposits, most landlords will require first month, last month, and security deposit (equal to one months rent). Next, take a look at this map to understand how the different Philly neighborhoods are laid out across the city. Mass transit is limited, and the airport can sustain delays, especially in the late summer. He does, however, appreciate the citys proximity to New York, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. And Douglas Turner Day called out what most visitors are also quick to discover: Philadelphia has amazing cultural diversity, and the best way to explore it is through the food.. If you keep asking yourself where should I live, our quiz can help you get . While moving to Philadelphia has many perks, theres a few things you may not enjoy about living in Philadelphia. Questions: There are 20 questions to reveal your personality. Are you serious? In a large sized city. If you're coming from a smaller city (which is a certainty if you're relocating from another metropolis in the United States), living here may feel overwhelmingbut it will also likely feel thrilling. The [SEPTA] R-5 can take you from the suburbs to Center City in about 30 minutes, depending on where you hop on.. Youll see this notated on apartment ads as an OP for owner pays. However, if you want a rental agent to look at a ton of places, they may charge you a fee. Where should you emigrate? That might seem like a lot, but it's far fewer than cities like New York or Chicago. The farthest neighborhoods from Center City , If youre fresh out of college, but want to hold on to the college lifestyle for a bit longer, check out, If youre looking to hire a moving company to help you move to Philadelphia we created a list of the, Or, if movers are out of your budget be sure to check out our list of, Lastly, if you need to ship a car be sure to have a look at our list of. This permit will block off street space for your moving van. The last thing anybody would call Philly is boring. She runs a content marketing consultancy with clientele in the healthcare, technology and travel industries. His work has been featured or mentioned by CNN, Wall Street Journal, BuzzFeed, Bankrate and hundreds of local media outlets across the country. Also worth mention: The walkability of these neighborhoods means that you are more likely to get to know your neighbors. Very informative! If youre 100 percent unwilling to pay a fee, tell the agent that you only want to see apartments where the owner will pay the fee. Read More START QUIZ Simply answer a few questions and we'll tell you! Before deciding how to move out, ensure that you can afford to live on your own. Its twenty minutes away from Center City by train and a half hour by car. Address: 2431 Reed St., Ste. Ive lived in philly for 10 years and am looking to leave because of the high wage tax (and other taxes) and massive amounts of violent crimeeven in the nice neighborhoods (eg rittenhouse sq/graduate hospital where I live). It can also be highly stressful if you do not have a plan in place. Lounging at a pool with an ocean view. Back to index. This city sucks, the amount of violence and cost of living is crazy, whoever came up with these reasons to live in philly hasnt grown up here, septa is never on time and goes on strike every year, and is probably the second heroine capital of the country, cmon lets be real unless you live downtown where rent is 1500 and above for a single room or unless you have roommates this city is un affordable. While relatively narrow streets can make bike riding a bit trickier, the city is still ranked 6th best in the nation for bikers! Philly is personal. It would be of no use to you to give hip responses just for the sake of it. Washington DC is less expensive, but still, Philadelphia boasts a cost of living that is 16% lower overall with housing costs that are 48% lower. Other summer attractions include the carnival rides, roller skating and food stalls at Penns Landing, a walkway along the Delaware River. And youll need to be walking. There are dozens of more neighborhood niches in Philly to discover. Research please! A dazzling light show accompanies a concert of the Wannamaker Organ, which is the largest working instrument in the world. Expenses like housing, utilities, groceries and transportation are higher than the national average by about 15% to 30%. Italian cheesesteaks arent exactly light on calories. Our job is done. A long commute will make you sad. For those who would like a more thorough review of the cost of living in Philadelphia, check out our guide on the cost of living in Philadelphia. Just answer a few questions about yourself and we'll do all the hard work to determine which neighborhood in Philly is calling you home. When you move to Philadelphia, Americas oldest still-operating theater is right on Walnut Street, and youll never be short of pop-up events, beer gardens and more. Despite Phillys parking woes made famous on the A&E show, Parking Wars, the city is navigable by car. 1 to 10 of 16,847 results. Take a guided tour to see unique sculpture gardens and mosaic art at Philadelphia's Magic Gardens.Escape city life at Fairmount Park, a 2,000-acre park that offers scenic trails for jogging or biking.Walk, run, skate, or bike along Schuylkill River Trail, a 30-mile path that extends from Center . Then there are the countless world-class entertainment options, parks, plays, restaurants and bars! Moving in Philadelphia: Your 2023 Guide to Philadelphia Neighborhoods. The vacancy rate in Philadelphia was 5.1% at the end of 2019, which is lower than the national average. Perhaps one of the more interesting things about living in Philadelphia is that it's a large city that is able to retail a small town feel in many ways. The area has a decidedly residential feel and folks take pride in the home teams. Move to one of the states above! But luckily, since youre moving there, youll get to explore it at your leisure. Phone: (267) 214-4784. One of those rules is that each room must have at least two electrical outlets, so youll be able to waste TONS of electricity. The most popular Philadelphia neighborhoods and nearby cities for renters This is a solid list. Philadelphia QUIZ: Is it Time to Move? And the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76), which runs along the Schuylkill River. When it comes to renting, apartments tend to range . Philadelphias apartment rental market is incredibly competitive. The Weather. While you might move here expecting never-ending days of rain, what you'll quickly see is that living in Seattle comes with over 150 days of sunshine and only 92 days of precipitation. Now heres where your budget comes in. Call . Youll absolutely need your Social Security number when applying for apartments. Landlords and realtors will almost always run a credit check on you and any roommates youll have. Its that simple. Tasting wines at a vineyard. Philadelphia also boasts several large art museums and an ever-growing collection of art galleries, cooperatives and studios. If you answered mostly C's, you could easily go either way. So, you have kids and you dont want to raise them in the city of brotherly love. Haha, I actually had it that way originally, but most of my testers preferred the quiz format since they didn't really know what they liked. Perhaps you've been debating whether or not it's time to movesomeplace new. Paired with inflation and a massive amount of evictions as a result of COVID relief end, the situation is enough that people are being forced to stay in hotels or shelters. Especially if living in a city rich with culture, entertainment, and history is important to you. Youre about to get acquainted with one of the countrys most historic and culturally diverse cities. Copyright © 2023 The Honest Local | This post may contain affiliate links - read our Standards, Corrections, & Privacy Policy. Parking is a concern for many residents, and its suggested you either get a designated parking spot, pay for zone parking or live where street parking is ampler. Heres their guide on how to recognize potential scammers. Philadelphias tight-knit communities welcome newcomers with warmth. On Aug 5, 2015. by Michael Hochman November 28, 2022. Moving to Philadelphia can be an exciting time. 1. Our favorite: The City That Loves You Back. It is advisable to learn the rules of the streets to avoid parking fines. As soon as youre done, browse through a few of the used book stores in Old City and check out Shane Confectionery, Americas Oldest Candy Store! More eclectic venues include the Mutter Medical Museum, which is dedicated to medical specimens and history, and the Mummers Museum, which celebrates the Mummers parade tradition. Youre now a Philadelphian. If you answered yes to these questions, you may want to consider moving to an up-and-coming neighborhood. #1. Since then, more and more people have gravitated to the neighborhood, and now its filled with bars, restaurants, boutiques, and mixed-use complexes such as The Schmidts Commons. From New Jersey, youll be taking the PATCO train, and from PA youll be taking SEPTA. The Philadelphia Zoo, opened in 1874, keeps more than 1,300 animals from all around the world-many of which are endangered or rare-on 42 acres. These 10 tips on how to move to Philadelphia will help you prepare for your move and help to keep your stress down. So just do it. The city was not made for this many people, he said. Philly has 25 neighborhoods. Providing professional moving help, local or long distance in the Montgomery County/ Bucks County/ Greater Philadelphia Area for an Affordable price. Back to index. Fairmount Park alone spans 4,200 acres and is considered one of the largest urban park in the U.S. With the Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, and the Mtter Museum, the sciences are also well represented, and visitors can enjoy performing arts at the Kimmel Center, the Academy of Music, the Wilma Theatre, and the Philadelphia Theatre Company. You can see where the Declaration of Independence was signed and then walk a few blocks for beers at the same place the Founding Fathers drank. In fact, the rising population and subsequent increase in air pollution have even changed the local temperature, with average summer temps in Philly becoming higher than surrounding areas due to heat retention from pollution. With our ultimate where should I move quiz, you'll be packing your bags before you know it. This will make your move much easier. You must apply at least 3 days before your moving date. Population: 1,584,064. In South Philly, youre either an Eagles fan, orwellyoull be one soon enough. Here are a few statistics for an overview of Philadelphia by the numbers. (And FYI, we're movers in Philadelphia.) Philadelphia is also one of the most bike-friendly cities in America, with more than 440 miles of dedicated bike lanes and more than 1,300 bikes that can be rented from 140 stations throughout the city. What comes to mind when you think of living in Philadelphia? If you buy all the same brand names from back "home", then your cost of living will be significantly higher than if you shop more like a . Landlords in Philadelphia are legally bound by certain requirements, listed here. You can choose from about 16 different priorities, a few of which are shown below. HighSpeedInternet. But your city might not be on board. The West. Also, if youre considering living in the suburbs, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey are easily accessible by train and bus as well. An average one-bedroom apartment in South Philadelphia costs about $1,565 a month leaving plenty left over for those Eagles season tickets (if you can get them). Living in the center of all the action will cost you about $2,760 for an average one-bedroom apartment. Weve gathered information related to cost of living, quality of life and much more below. There are numerous outdoor cafes and restaurants, which are perfect for a conversation over coffee or a meal on a sunny day. Thinking of moving to Philadelphia? Everything is within walking distance, and cheap Ubers and taxis are everywhere. With that drop, apartment vacancy rates have dropped to historic lows. Philadelphia is the 6th most populous city in the US, and with that many people comes a lot of population flow. For those considering a move to Philadelphia, weve gathered information and resources to help make the decision easier. To give you an idea of just how much your dollar will get you, heres a report on what a rental budget of $1,800 can afford. Where Should I Move Quiz Will Help You Find the Place That Matches Your Personality Finding a perfect spot to settle in should be on the top of your priority list when relocating because it will affect your life quality to a great extent. You can find more information on crime in the city here. This city is greedy with taxesthink NY or California level of taxes, but with nothing to show for it other than a trail of corruption and high amounts of poverty. This can be difficult, but it can be helpful to give yourself some space and time to move on. Good luck with your move to Phildelphia And that's it. Usually, this fee will range from a couple of hundred bucks to a months rent. Mary OBrien is a Philadelphia-based blogger, author, and editor. Heres a quick recap. Moving to a new city can be nerve-wracking, but youll find Philly offers all the benefits of a big city without the intensity. Here you can create your own quiz and questions like What . If youre looking for great schools for your kids, Chestnut Hill is also home to several good public and private schools and has a free library. A member of the Philadelphia Parking Authority writes a ticket for an expired meter in Center City. The city of Philadelphia levies a wage tax on employees who work in the city. In fact, itd be much easier to sell your car when you move. SEPTA (South Eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority), PATCO (Port Authority Transportation Corporation). Quiz: Which New Orleans Neighborhood Should You Live In? You can't just dip a toe into Philly. Philadelphias walk score is 79, compared to a city like Los Angeles, which is only 68. Many of the streets (especially in Old City) are cobblestone. If you absolutely have to have a car, look for an apartment in Fairmount or University City. To make navigating even easier, the north-south streets are numbered and the east-west streets are named after trees. Below is a transit map for all of Philadelphia. You enjoy socializing, pubs and tall buildings. The American Revolution, Philly cheese steaks, or the epic scene from Rocky? This overpopulation problem has created crowding that affects the overall quality of life in Philadelphia. Can You Afford To Live In Panama? Rest assured that most of the city is. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. That's not bad, especially since it's the 6th largest city! This neighborhood has many family-friendly attractions, including the Morris Arboretum, Children's Music Express and dozens of adorable parks, shops and playgrounds up and down Germantown Avenue. Despite being one of the most populous cities in the nation, Philadelphia boasts a lower cost of living than other comparable cities. The place has everything you need; beautiful mild climate, it keeps you close to nature as it has famous national parks. Rittenhouse Square Park is a favorite relaxation spot where children play while couples lounge on blankets. 7%. Like many cities, Craigslist is very active in finding apartments (especially places with owners desperate to rent out). Pros of Living in Philadelphia. Philadelphia has direct access to a huge network of highways, most notably I-95, which runs from north to south through the city. This will cover your first months and last months rent, and youll get the security deposit back minus any catastrophic damages you might make in a game of pong with your friends. Its a quirky little street that goes for blocks and blocks and blocks, so youll never run out of stuff to do or places to find. As more people move to Philadelphia and the population continues to grow, you can expect to see even more traffic. Theres no point looking at places you cant afford, so bust out your calculator and figure out a target monthly rent. And here are some other great resources for finding great things to do in Philly. Home to Citizen's Bank Park and Lincoln Financial Field, the neighborhood is prime real estate for both super fans and families. It's walkable. January is usually the coldest month in Philadelphia and residents plan for snow every year. 2023 RentGroup Inc. All rights reserved. This additional tax of just under 4% comes out of peoples paychecks in addition to all the other federal and taxes. Do Not Share or Sell My Personal Information. Its a modern city, steeped in history, that is home to tight-knit communities and embraces newcomers all the same. Theres nothing old about Old City. Amtrak also operates through the citys historic 30th Street Station. app for Android and iOS. Indulge in high design by checking out some of the most beautiful apartments in Dallas. There are numerous advantages and disadvantages of living in Philadelphia. If you're moving to Philadelphia with your family, consider affluent yet homey Chestnut Hill as a relocation destination. Created by mia rita (User Generated Content*) User Generated Content is not posted by anyone affiliated with, or on behalf of, Playbuzz.com. Great - let's find it for you! . Also, keep in mind Philly is an old city. Heres the deal. Big town amenities, small town charm. Fresh Prince references aside, the Victorian architecture and proximity to Penn and Drexel University jobs make Spruce Hill a hot neighborhood for teachers, grad students and other young professionals. 40 lesser known things to do in Philadelphia. Philadelphia's public transportation is incredibly convenient for local and regional transit. These are the top Philadelphia moving companies. You dont really feel stuck while living in Philadelphia because you can easily catch a flight or take a road trip somewhere new be it nature of a bigger city. Ouch. Read more about the methodology behind this project. Your email address will not be published. A boozy brunch followed by some light sightseeing. Take in the city, see some sights and keep a close watch out for the bicyclists! Gun violence . 6 Things to Consider First. Like we said before, we are Philadelphia movers, after all. Some pundits began to call Philadelphia the sixth borough of New York. The moniker annoyed Philly natives, but it also revealed how appealing Philly is in terms of the cost of living. The nicest New Jersey suburb of Philadelphia is Haddonfield. The trail is popular for serious athletes and families who want to picnic and stroll.