All of this should be worked out in advance with the rental agent. For untamed spirits seeking authentic cultural experiences without buying a plane ticket, Dim Sum at Ocean City Restaurant and performances at Franklin Square make Phillys Chinatown feel like home. It can also be highly stressful if you do not have a plan in place. 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. These are important factors to consider when asking yourself, "what in the world should I move?" For example, if you hate cold weather, then you probably wouldn't want to move to Norway. 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. Moving to Philadelphia can be an exciting time. Home to such important American icons as the Liberty Bell and Punxsutawney Phil, it is also the land of legendary cheesesteaks and truly legit pot pies. The city of Philadelphias Trail Master Plan aims to add even more greenways and trails to the city. Visiting Philadelphia before finalizing your decision? The impressive highways and tempting food would make you feel in heaven. Philly has 25 neighborhoods. One of those rules is that each room must have at least two electrical outlets, so youll be able to waste TONS of electricity. 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. The plan is to link up various neighborhoods and create a more walkable & environmentally-friendly city. After all, it is the birthplace of American freedom, where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed. Furthermore, the areas are accessible to public transportation and are easily walkable. Take the Buzzfeed quiz HERE to find out if you should move to Australia. Before deciding how to move out, ensure that you can afford to live on your own. Questions: There are 20 questions to reveal your personality. Back to index. Or, find an apartment with a garage. 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. Check out these 9 Philadelphia facts before packing your bags for the City of Brotherly Love. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is known as the City of Brotherly Love, but it wears many hats. The vacancy rate in Philadelphia was 5.1% at the end of 2019, which is lower than the national average. As we touched on earlier, Philadelphia has a lot of important ties to Americas inception. That might seem like a lot, but its far fewer than cities like New York or Chicago. Gun violence . For example, if you chose to rent an apartment in University City and wanted to meet a friend in Old City, you could hop on the Market-Frankford Line (the thick blue line). 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. and so many more. Small, walkable neighborhoods with abundant sidewalks and excellent public transport make Philadelphia a terrific city for walkers. app for Android and iOS. If cost is no object, look to Rittenhouse or Society Hill. Thinking of moving to Philadelphia? Youre about to get acquainted with one of the countrys most historic and culturally diverse cities. Caroline's travel and lifestyle articles are found in major publications, including Business Insider, Parachute and Medical News Today. Or, if youre living in Fairmount, you could take the Broad Street Line (the thick orange line) down to AT&T Station to see a Phillies or Eagles game if thats your thingunless youre more of a Flyers fan. HighSpeedInternet. 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. Philadelphia. Read more about the methodology behind this project. 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. Landlords in Philadelphia are legally bound by certain requirements, listed here. Finally, its essential to book reputable movers. 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. Philadelphia's public transportation is incredibly convenient for local and regional transit. 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. You must apply at least 3 days before your moving date. Cut off contact with your ex, at least for a while. But the city has seen a recent surge in population growth, and with it economic, financial, employment, housing, income and retail growth. If you're moving to Philadelphia from within the US, you'll be able to keep your license but need to update your address to your new one. Created by mia rita (User Generated Content*) User Generated Content is not posted by anyone affiliated with, or on behalf of, Playbuzz.com. Take time to grieve and process your emotions. Whether visiting or living, its worth checking out Philadelphia a truly unique U.S. city. New York is 88, but Phillys bike score tops New Yorks by 3 points. Satellite imagery via Mapbox, Maxar, NASA and the U . Like many Northeastern cities, Philadelphia brings the best of both words to its residents. Tasting wines at a vineyard. As you know, taxes add up quickly and people living in Philadelphia have more pay deducted than their counterparts in other Pennsylvania cities. Thrillist TV Wine and . Below is a list showing the common demographics of each neighborhood. Philadelphia is sure to enchant you, and youll be even more excited to call it home. Create a detailed monthly budget, which is a plan for how to spend money.Start by writing down what you spend and what you earn in a month. Philadelphia is a unique and fascinating U.S. city with a distinct feel that is all its own. Philadelphia QUIZ: Is it Time to Move? Update: This post was originally published on June 6, 2018. As in many large cities, the public schools are a very mixed bag of good, bad, and in-between. From hikes lined with waterfalls to summits with epic views, these 12 hikes all offer a little something extra to keep your attention. #2 Philadelphia, it definitely has a cultural, hip edge over the remaining two cities, nice getaways, the 2nd best downtown as well with lots of residents. The city was not made for this many people, he said. Parking is so bad in Philly they even made a reality show about it. You may not feel like spending much after your big move, especially if youre still getting organized. It's more like an oversized village than a huge city.". Heres their guide on how to recognize potential scammers. 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 free offerings are managed by the Parks and Recs Department and have information on athletics in your neighborhood. 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. From New Jersey, youll be taking the PATCO train, and from PA youll be taking SEPTA. As for deposits, most landlords will require first month, last month, and security deposit (equal to one months rent). Also, the area has hospitals and medical services, which have a national reputation, such as Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. Philly is the 4th most walkable city in the country. maybe you should find out if the Paris life is really meant for you. The place has everything you need; beautiful mild climate, it keeps you close to nature as it has famous national parks. More specifically, increases in traffic congestion and air pollution and a decrease in available rental properties. The median home price in Haddonfield is just about $524K. This additional tax of just under 4% comes out of peoples paychecks in addition to all the other federal and taxes. With so many of Phillys neighborhoods on the rise, the city is far more welcoming to first-time homebuyers and real estate investors than most other American cities. Bottom line: the public transit system is great and it can get you almost anywhere inside the city within 20 minutes. The area generally doesnt have extreme weather, and heat or cold waves tend to be short-lived. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) operates a public transit system that includes trains, buses, trolleys, buses, and subways. Great nightlife is everywhere in Philly, but some areas are better than others. 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. Many residents go down the shore to one of the many shore points along New Jerseys coast. One of the areas bars, Johnny Brendas, was even featured in the 2015 film Creed. 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. Trash & recycling: The city handles trash and recycling. 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. Perhaps you've been debating whether or not it's time to movesomeplace new. Research please! The city is also known as one of the largest health education and research centers in the U.S. If you love cheesesteak, American history, and having all of the amenities of a major city (without the NYC price tag), moving to Philadelphia might be the right choice for you. Philly Is Proud To Be LGBT If you were West Philadelphia born and raised, Spruce Hill is where youd spend most of your days. 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. A one hour flight from Philly to NYC? Philadelphia 76ers Premier League UFC. The Big Apple takes a big bite out of residents wallets as the cost of living is over 120% higher than the national average. As a non-resident, youll pay about 3.5%. The greener the better, so youll be happy to see Phillys all green. Like many Northeastern cities, Philadelphia brings the best of both words to its residents. You are sure that you want to relocate cross country soon. Philadelphia leads Pennsylvanian cities for job opportunities, but the job market is one of the least healthy when compared to similarly sized cities. Your Cost of Living in Panama *. January is usually the coldest month in Philadelphia and residents plan for snow every year. Explore the city's natural beauty at its many outdoor recreation spots while living in Philly! If you are thinking about California then you are right. 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. Also, if you're interested in Pennsylvania, but not sure if Philadelphia is right for you, check out our guide on moving to Pennsylvania. For a city of its size, Philadelphia has a remarkable amount of green space. If museums arent your thing, the city has a number of awesome concert venues including, WorldCafeLive which is home to public radios world cafe program. So lets get this out of the way now: if youre on a tight budget, look south to East Passyunk or north to Manayunk. New York is all about hustle, bustle, business, and networking. Lounging at a pool with an ocean view. 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. You've got to jump into the deep end. It was revised on July 5, 2020, with new information from Philadelphia expert, Mary OBrien, and again on April 6, 2021, with new information from Philadelphia expert Caroline Leopold. 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. Answer these seven simple questions, and our . In winter, private homes and businesses are outfitted with glittering lights with neighbors in a friendly competition to mount dazzling spectacles. It's affordable. Needless to say, youll find it hard to be bored after moving to Philadelphia. Youll need to figure out how youll get to work before you sign a lease or a mortgage. Address: 2431 Reed St., Ste. The cost of living in Philadelphia is about 1.2% higher than the national average. Ranked one of the most affordable major cities on the East Coast, Philadelphia offers big-city employment and educational opportunities mixed with exceptional cultural, sports, and music scenes and a unique place in the . The Amtrak Acela is one hour and you end up in midtown. Also, check out this guide from Seer Interactive a digital marketing company based in Philly. Philadelphias walk score is 79, compared to a city like Los Angeles, which is only 68. It's considered easier to get around than both New York City and Washington DC. For more conventional public transit, the city offers a subway, about 70 different bus routes, and the SEPTA Regional Rail, which connects residents to surrounding areas as far east as Chestnut Hill and as far west as New Jersey. 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. You can find work by Monet, Renoir, Modigliani, Czanne, Matisse, and Picassoand thats just at the Barnes Foundation. 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. 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. Philadelphia has an overwhelming number of neighborhoods, so weve tried to take some of the pressure off by mentioning a few of our favorites. PATCO (Port Authority Transportation Corporation) also runs trains from Center City back and forth to New Jersey not that youd particularly want to go to Jersey, but you might be one of those NJ commuters. The 23 best things to do in Philadelphia with kids. Honestly, a good list except when considering cost of living..if you are trying to rent it is a huge nightmare. If youre an avid traveler, youll find living in Philadelphia easy. One popular place for a spectacular event is Macys department store during the holiday season. This will make your move much easier. With festivals at Great Plaza and stand-up paddleboarding at Penn's Landing Marina, no one ever accuses residents of Center City of not getting out much.". To make navigating even easier, the north-south streets are numbered and the east-west streets are named after trees. Theres a wide variety of housing types in this neighborhood, too, from turn-of-the-century row homes to contemporary townhouses to chic lofts and even a few converted churches. 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. 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). City sales tax is 8%. Quiz: Which Atlanta Neighborhood Should You Live In? Youll find any type of cuisine your heart desires! But there are other attractions, too: great restaurants, galleries, flower shows and performing art shows all attract the tourists every year. Which Philly neighborhoods are most affordable? If you absolutely have to have a car, look for an apartment in Fairmount or University City. Philadelphia doesnt get nearly enough credit for a city with such great public transportation. Many beaches are only short drives and are perfect for day trips. A picnic in the park, then bopping around outdoor street fairs. 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. Many of the streets (especially in Old City) are cobblestone. For starters, go to Independence Hall. To help get a clearer picture of who's moving to and from Philadelphia, we've compiled the data from our moving estimates calculator to determine where Philadelphians are coming from and where they're going. The medical institution Graduate Hospital was named for may now be defunct, but the neighborhoods reputation is alive and well. Need storage space to help you move to Philly? In fact, itd be much easier to sell your car when you move. He is currently the senior managing editor of Apartment Guide and Rent., based in Atlanta. Let this NY Times quiz tell you where you should live, whether you like it or not. 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. If you're feeling overwhelmed by your potential move, that's OK. It's all part of the process. Life Storage offers free moving truck rentals to all new customers! Can You Afford To Live In Panama? But if you feel like getting out and about for a breather, its good to know that Philly has lots of free activities you can enjoy. In Center City and the neighborhoods weve been discussing (Rittenhouse, Old City, Society Hill, Fairmount, Spring Garden), crime rates are very low. 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). Each neighborhood has its own vibe and character, along with different rental prices. The American Revolution, Philly cheese steaks, or the epic scene from Rocky? That's not bad, especially since it's the 6th largest city! Hiking an enchanted rain forest. Also, keep in mind Philly is an old city. The lowest point in Philly is 10 feet above sea level near the Delaware River, while the highest point is 445 feet above sea level in Chestnut Hillanother good reason to move to this neighborhood! Philadelphia is a city of neighborhoods, so keep an eye out for your perfect match. They are constantly kicking people out of their homes just to build condos or student housing, and the elementary and middle and high schools suck the no child left behind rule has been ruining our children, the school system here is horrible, Ive lived here for over 30 years and its only gotten worse!!! Philadelphias robust public transportation system offers more than 70 bus routes, a subway and rail system. Moving to a new city can be nerve-wracking, but youll find Philly offers all the benefits of a big city without the intensity. A morning run and afternoon beers. Interestingly, a higher than average number of the citys students choose live in Philadelphia after graduation, driving the average age of Philadelphia residents down. Questions and Answers 1. I like to go to concerts. Fairmount Park alone spans 4,200 acres and is considered one of the largest urban park in the U.S. Theyre a ten-minute walk apart along the Ben Franklin Parkway from one another.