MagiQuiz. This overpopulation problem has created crowding that affects the overall quality of life in Philadelphia. Are you planning on taking a trip to Paris in the future and possibly staying? This neighborhood has many family-friendly attractions, including the Morris Arboretum, Childrens Music Express and dozens of adorable parks, shops and playgrounds up and down Germantown Avenue. For a city of its size, Philadelphia has a remarkable amount of green space. According to Numbeo, it costs a four-person family around $3,600 a month to live in Philadelphia (excluding housing). Its also worth mentioning, Amtraks regional hub is at 30th Street Station. You can walk almost anywhere within city limits in an hour or less. This is complicated by lack of emergency housing resources and a voucher program that has had a closed waitlist for over 12 years. Usually, this fee will range from a couple of hundred bucks to a months rent. Major. Either way, it can be daunting trying to navigate all. Philadelphia is sure to enchant you, and youll be even more excited to call it home. Philadelphia is the 6th most populous city in the US, and with that many people comes a lot of population flow. Yes, But Read This First Posted on Nov 17, 2021 Welcome to the city of brotherly love: thousands of people move to Philadelphia every year from around the country for job opportunities, a fresh start, or simply out of a deep love for the city's iconic cheesesteaks. A trip to New York can take as little as one hourits easier to get to Manhattan than Pittsburgh! Update: This post was originally published on June 6, 2018. You may not feel like spending much after your big move, especially if youre still getting organized. My point is that housing is a disaster. Moving to a Big City from a Small Town: How to Adjust to Your New Life, Moving to a Small Town From a Big City: How to Make the Transition Easier, How to Create a Warm Second Home for Your Child After Divorce, These Are the Best Places to Live in Upstate New York, Create a Realistic Moving Budget Using This Guide, Self Storage FAQs Renting a Storage Unit. Compared to New York, Philly is a bargain. They are about a half hour away from Center City by car. Also, be aware of the Philly city wage tax. In winter, private homes and businesses are outfitted with glittering lights with neighbors in a friendly competition to mount dazzling spectacles. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Indeed! If the monthly rent for an apartment is $1,000, youre probably looking at paying the landlord a deposit of $3,000 upon signing the lease. 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. That might seem like a lot, but it's far fewer than cities like New York or Chicago. This will make your move much easier. She has also written on entertainment and dance music for the local blog One Fine Philly. Lets cover the pros of living in Philadelphia first! Welcome to the Windy City. So just do it. After all, it is the birthplace of American freedom, where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed. 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. As you know, taxes add up quickly and people living in Philadelphia have more pay deducted than their counterparts in other Pennsylvania cities. It Doesn't Rain As Much in Seattle As You've Heard To start off, let's get the big Seattle rain myth out of the way. Philadelphia has 25 main neighborhoods, each of which has its own distinct vibe and unique culture. The MagiQuiz personality test declares that you don't necessarily have to live in the same town forever, especially when there are so many towns and cities that could be a better fit . #1. 25% of residents use public transportation, 18+ Honest Pros & Cons of Living in San Francisco, 15 HONEST Pros & Cons of Living in Washington DC (Locals Guide), 20 HONEST Pros & Cons of Living in Miami (Lets Talk). Your Cost of Living in Panama *. Median income: $46,116. 97 to 98% of apartments are full and landlords are capitalizing by rapidly driving up rent in available locations. Within the Washington Square West neighborhood is one of the citys hottest locations, the Gayborhood, where the nightlife is defined by the many LGBTfriendly bars and clubs dotting the area between Walnut and Spruce Streets. The QuizExpo quiz, for instance, tells you where to live or move regarding your personality. 2, Philadelphia, PA 19146. Your pooch will love a walk along the hill to Pretzel Park. 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. Collection days vary by neighborhood. Well. Historic Barclay Farmstead and a progressive city wellness program makes Cherry Hill a great choice for established families and empty-nesters seeking a slower pace. All of this should be worked out in advance with the rental agent. It probably goes without saying that a crowded city is prone to having parking challenges. Like many cities, the City of Brotherly Love is dealing with a crime problem, you can glean some stats from this helpful resource. Youre now a Philadelphian. "I love Philly for so many reasons. Just be prepared for pissed off pedestrians and cab drivers. Center City is perfect for young professionals and families who aren't quite ready to settle down or purchase a minivan with a stick figure family on the back windshield. Philadelphia has direct access to a huge network of highways, most notably I-95, which runs from north to south through the city. While Philadelphians enjoy a mostly moderate summer, winters can be quite cold. Another con id like to add: I have some incredible neighbors, but the city as a whole is a bit unfriendly. 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. When you're crunching the numbers for rent in those other east coast cities, you may notice that the cost of living in Philadelphia is significantly lower. Those who plan to leave NYC should consider moving to the fabulous Springfield. Heres a breakdown of getting around the city: Unlike NYC, its feasible to own a car in Phillybut there are a few things you should know. Small, walkable neighborhoods with abundant sidewalks and excellent public transport make Philadelphia a terrific city for walkers. The bus network has over 200 routes all around the city. A picnic in the park, then bopping around outdoor street fairs. 1 to 10 of 16,847 results. Note: This post is part of the Local Living Series, wherein locals share honest insights of living in a specific city through comprehensive pros and cons lists. She runs a content marketing consultancy with clientele in the healthcare, technology and travel industries. Below is a walk score map. A fun, but useful, quiz to find your neighborhood match By Lauren LaBorde Updated Apr 11, 2017, 12:52pm CDT Mary has edited and ghostwritten novels, published one of her own, and continues to coach and edit emerging Philly writers. With over 1.5 million folks calling this great city home, Philly is the second-largest city on the East Coast. Very informative! Tasting wines at a vineyard. It is normal to feel sad and upset after a breakup, and it is important to allow yourself time to heal. It even boasts one of the lowest crime rates in the city. A few other things youll want to keep in mind. Philadelphia leads Pennsylvanian cities for job opportunities, but the job market is one of the least healthy when compared to similarly sized cities. Philadelphia is a city of neighborhoods, so keep an eye out for your perfect match. HighSpeedInternet. The cost of living in Philadelphia is slightly higher than the national average but substantially lower than the surrounding major cities, such as New York and Boston. Really affordable. Questions and Answers 1. Philadelphia has a huge college population. If youre an avid traveler, youll find living in Philadelphia easy. You can get by with a car, but by no means do you have to have one. Philadelphia doesnt get nearly enough credit for a city with such great public transportation. 30th Street Station (pictured above) would be the heart, pumping out trains in all directions. Your email address will not be published. Parking is so bad in Philly they even made a reality show about it. If youve been on the fence about this one, then youll be pleased to know house prices on average are among the lowest in the northeastern United States. Before deciding how to move out, ensure that you can afford to live on your own. Philadelphias apartment rental market is incredibly competitive. We break down the cost of transportation, housing, daycare, dining, and more. Also worth mention: The walkability of these neighborhoods means that you are more likely to get to know your neighbors. 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. 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. Philadelphia is a fiercely independent city built on the reputation of rabid sports fans, cheesesteak wars and declaring one's independence from tax-happy monarchies but once you're in, you're in. Now that youve landed, its time to soak in some Philly culture. A trend started several years ago when New Yorkers began settling in Philadelphia and commuting to their NYC jobs. Its one of the few incredible places that fully embraces street art, and youll find plenty of murals no matter which neighborhood you claim as your own. As the official birthplace of America, this historical and cultural East Coast city has so much to offer. We combed through 100s of verified customer reviews to find the most trusted and reputable long distance movers. And for you indie lovers, the Electric Factory, the TLA, and Union Transfer all have great show lineups. With an average 1 bedroom rent cost of $1,688 per month, Philadelphia is the 28th most expensive metropolitan area in the United States. How much will it cost to move to Philadelphia? The area generally doesnt have extreme weather, and heat or cold waves tend to be short-lived. A long commute will make you sad. The Climate in Philadelphia. Live-work spaces are walking distance to the Farmers Market at Christ Church and the monthly First Friday art expos, making this the go-to neighborhood for young people looking to keep their lifestyle within arms reach. That's not bad, especially since it's the 6th largest city! 3. app for Android and iOS. The area has a hipster reputation due to the lively arts, music and craft beer scene, but it also attracts parents who want to raise their children in a vibrant city environment. Its a modern city, steeped in history, that is home to tight-knit communities and embraces newcomers all the same. Still not sure which Philadelphia neighborhood is perfect to call your home? The Should You Move to a New City quiz asks takers to consider their current climate, romantic relationships, job skills, financial situation and sense of adventure as they navigate through a series of 12 questions to determine if they are ready to move. 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). The Liberty Bell is here too. Scenic cities like Geneva, Zurich, Basel, and others attract millions of tourists every year. This additional tax of just under 4% comes out of peoples paychecks in addition to all the other federal and taxes. You can find more information on crime in the city here. Call . The differences between individual schools within a given district can be huge and, while there is some school choice, it is very limited in scope. Manayunk is a Native American word that means place we to go drink, which is a reference to this neighborhoods proximity to the Schuylkill Riveror the fact that its filled with bars, depending on how you want to look at it. Theres also an abundance of green space, and walkable, friendly neighborhoods where kids have an opportunity to get to know each other. As an older city, it simply wasnt built with cars in mind and the recent growth has exacerbated traffic. 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. 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). If you answered mostly C's, you could easily go either way. But your city might not be on board. The Schuylkill River Trail is 75 miles of pedestrian and bike paths that begin in the city and extend to the suburbs. Phone: (267) 214-4784. Philadelphia is famous for its rich history and its tourism industry is definitely driven by this factor. If you want to get an idea on the cost of different moving services, check out our moving cost calculator. Gun violence . Youll find any type of cuisine your heart desires! Fishtown and Northern Liberties have emerged as the most popular neighborhoods for couples and families due to the variety of housing ranging from older, craftsman-like housing to new construction with modern amenities. If you decide to take the plunge, get in touch. Please answer every question with full consideration to get the best state for you! Mortgage Calculator Rent vs Buy Menu burger Close thin Facebook Twitter Google plus Linked in Reddit Email arrow-right-sm arrow-right Loading Home Buying Calculators How Much House Can I Afford? It's more like an oversized village than a huge city.". Finally, its essential to book reputable movers. Can You Afford To Live In Panama? Quiz: Which Atlanta Neighborhood Should You Live In? Move: If your city gives your plans the thumbs-down You've drawn up elaborate plans for popping the top of your two-bed bungalow. Or perhaps a Tennessean? You hate to be told what to do, and in Alaska you won't need to worry about the government restricting your personal freedoms. Here are some good websites to find apartments. You can also choose between the regions of the country. In fact, Philadelphia's median rent rate is less than half of San Francisco's. The nicest area in the Pennsylvania suburbs is called the Main Line, and it consists of a few towns, Lower Merion and Radnor among them. If youre moving to Philadelphia to connect with the younger professional crowd, then Manayunk, just 15 minutes from the city center, is a great neighborhood for you. A website run by locals in various cities, with the hopes of making big life decisions a little easier on you. When considering a move, seek the Lord and His perspective above all else. If you were West Philadelphia born and raised, Spruce Hill is where you'd spend most of your days. What is your favorite thing do to when you go out for the night? Take your timea budget is no joke. There are many things to see and do, which is why it attracts millions of tourists each year. As in many large cities, the public schools are a very mixed bag of good, bad, and in-between. 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 . Thats all weve got. That allows [them] to narrow [their] search down to certain areas, then we turn to housing and lifestyle parameters.. Also, if you're interested in Pennsylvania, but not sure if Philadelphia is right for you, check out our guide on moving to Pennsylvania. With our ultimate where should I move quiz, you'll be packing your bags before you know it. In his free time, Brian enjoys sports, cooking (followed by eating) and debating the correct pronunciation of "gif.". Owing to many of the advantage listed above, Philadelphia is a great place to raise a family. Life Storage offers free moving truck rentals to all new customers! 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. Rittenhouse Square Park is a favorite relaxation spot where children play while couples lounge on blankets. Hiking an enchanted rain forest. Known for its walkability, Graduate Hospital is a stroller-friendly proving grounds for Philly restaurants and has the perfect vibe for events like The Odunde Festival. Big town amenities with a small town feel, Great location for day trips and easy access to other cities, Excellent public transportation and commuter options, Liquor licensing system that prevents many restaurants from serving alcohol. It is advisable to learn the rules of the streets to avoid parking fines. Thrillist TV Wine and . Take the Buzzfeed quiz HERE to find out if you should move to Australia. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) operates a public transit system that includes trains, buses, trolleys, buses, and subways. That might seem like a lot, but its far fewer than cities like New York or Chicago. For most, moving to Philadelphia doesn't break the bank. The city is superior with outdoor sports with playgrounds, parks, trails and sporting courts, including tennis, basketball, hockey and baseball. If you keep asking yourself where should I live, our quiz can help you get . Needless to say, youll find it hard to be bored after moving to Philadelphia. This area has also become an arts center with an array of studios, galleries and pop-ups. Hopefully, what weve provided will help alleviate some of your anxiety and enable you to decide if Philadelphia is the right place for you. University City is home to the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University, which are nationally ranked schools. If you want to be in the middle of things (or far away from it) put down the beer bottle and pay attention! 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. SEPTA (South Eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority), PATCO (Port Authority Transportation Corporation). Museum hopping, then happy hour on a rooftop. You will obsess over the Eagles and never miss an Eagles/Cowboys game. A dazzling light show accompanies a concert of the Wannamaker Organ, which is the largest working instrument in the world. Though living in New York City is not always simple, it is frequently exciting. 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. Live-work spaces are walking distance to the Farmers Market at Christ Church and the monthly First Friday art expos, making this the go-to neighborhood for young people looking to keep their lifestyle within arm's reach. Philadelphia offers the amenities of a big city, like great restaurants, shopping, arts and culture and great public transportation. The city is for you. Should you be a Californian? Amtrak also operates through the citys historic 30th Street Station. Philadelphia is a fiercely independent city built on the reputation of rabid sports fans, cheesesteak wars and declaring one's independence from tax-happy monarchies but once you're in, you're in. Satellite imagery via Mapbox, Maxar, NASA and the U . The ethnic diversity of many neighborhoods makes for an incredibly adventurous culinary scene. Additionally, school choice programs mostly require parents to provide transportation, which can make them prohibitive for a city where many people dont regularly drive. Take this quiz and learn more about fascinating Philadelphia. Since that time, it has been playing catchup in designing new spaces for parking. As a non-resident, youll pay about 3.5%. Its twenty minutes away from Center City by train and a half hour by car. If you are an underrepresented race you will have an abundance of opportunities otherwise the DEI mandates will exclude you. And here are some other great resources for finding great things to do in Philly. Should You Move During a Recession? Living is Philadelphia is still much more affordable than most cities of its size, and since most folks living in cities know to expect higher costs, I think moving to Philadelphia is a pleasant surprise for most. Caroline Leopold is a Philadelphia-based writer who has lived in the city of Philadelphia for over 15 years. Copyright © 2023 The Honest Local | This post may contain affiliate links - read our Standards, Corrections, & Privacy Policy. According to Numbeo, it costs a four-person family around $3,845 a month to live in the city (excluding housing), and expenses for a single person run a little over $1,000 a month (excluding housing). Okay, now that weve narrowed down the perfect neighborhood, its time to actually find a place to live in. Also, check out this guide from Seer Interactive a digital marketing company based in Philly. Philly has the largest amount of public artwork in the world! 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. A morning run and afternoon beers. Like many cities, Craigslist is very active in finding apartments (especially places with owners desperate to rent out). Fairmount Park alone spans 4,200 acres and is considered one of the largest urban park in the U.S. If you're feeling overwhelmed by your potential move, that's OK. It's all part of the process. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. If helpful, heres a roundup of great hotel options. Sign up for helpful guides, interesting topics, and tips from locals. Created by mia rita (User Generated Content*) User Generated Content is not posted by anyone affiliated with, or on behalf of, Playbuzz.com. Of course, the rate and types of crimes in the city can vary substantially between different areas, so a look at the interactive crime map can help you to see which neighborhoods are the safest. Be especially careful with I-76, its infamous for choking rush hour traffic. Each has something to offer, either to live or to visit. From unique apartment rentals in historical buildings to homes that are specific to the era in which a given neighborhood was established. Every answer may contribute to the final choice, so be honest. Is College Station, TX a Good Place to Live? As we touched on earlier, Philadelphia has a lot of important ties to Americas inception. If you're moving to Philadelphia with your family, consider affluent yet homey Chestnut Hill as a relocation destination. 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. As such, I dont suggest moving to Philadelphia unless you have a job lined up. Alaska 4 2 3 1 4 0 1 0 7 Bring on the wild! In Center City and the neighborhoods weve been discussing (Rittenhouse, Old City, Society Hill, Fairmount, Spring Garden), crime rates are very low. The first tip on how to move to Philadelphia is to get your housing lined up. Its known for being a dog-friendly district, too, so a perfect place to live if you have a canine friend. You also should take a walk down to South Street. 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. Either way, it can be daunting trying to navigate all of Philly's neighborhoods, so this handy-dandy quiz is here to help. The relatively lower cost of living also makes this a more affordable choice for young families who are looking to live in a larger city. Philly has 25 neighborhoods. The city is also known as one of the largest health education and research centers in the U.S. Perhaps you've been debating whether or not it's time to movesomeplace new. While relatively narrow streets can make bike riding a bit trickier, the city is still ranked 6th best in the nation for bikers! Mary OBrien is a Philadelphia-based blogger, author, and editor. Philly has a small-town vibe, a thriving cultural scene, and a relatively affordable housing market. Owing to its age, Philadelphia was a city that was largely built before the advent of autos. Perhaps one of the more interesting things about living in Philadelphia is that its a large city that is able to retail a small town feel in many ways. 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. SEPTA (South Eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) is the regional rail system that maintains an extensive public transportation system of buses, light rail, trolleys and rapid transit. 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. For a one-stop shop to brush up on your Philadelphia history, the National Constitution Center should be your first port of call. Most of the time, theyre paid a commission or fee by the owner of the apartment looking for a tenant. The area is known for its steep streets lined with Victorian and turn-of-the-century row homes, as well as for Main Street, where shopping, dining, and music venues abound. The greener the better, so youll be happy to see Phillys all green. Its that simple. Philadelphia is a large metropolitan area with a growing population. We all want to live near people who are at similar points in their lives. Philadelphia has a special municipality wage tax equal to 3.92% for Philadelphia residents and 3.5% for non-residents who work in the city. Philly is also known as a walkable and bike-friendly city as new dedicated trails and bike paths continue to grow. Indulge in high design by checking out some of the most beautiful apartments in Dallas. Old City one-bedroom apartments cost an average of $2,185 a month. 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. If youd like to reach out to the author directly with questions, please do so in the comments below and our team will ensure it gets to the right person. Which Philly neighborhoods are most affordable? Philadelphia is historically and presently a very racist city. It would be of no use to you to give hip responses just for the sake of it. Dont forget, all of these things need updating!