Move to Philly (poll)

I'm moving to Philly in a few months. I need to find an apartment, which I will probably be in for 2-3 years. The very top-end of my budget is around $1,300/month, depending on exactly what I can get in rent for my townhome here in Saint Paul.

I've been poking around on rent.com and apartments.com, but I'm realizing that I don't really know as much as I could/should about the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Any tips/pointers/ideas?

Please assume that I can work from home, so convenience to the office isn't a factor.

The poll: Where do you think I should live in the Philly area?

Near all those cooking schools, bars and breweries with the hot babes.

Quote: FleaStiff

Near all those cooking schools, bars and breweries with the hot babes.

lol! I'm in. That reminds me. My fiancee was relaying advice from her aunt yesterday. It went like this:

Her: "...ok, she says Bryn Mawr is good. That's spelled like the school. And Villanova, also like the school. And Swarthmore. Wow, all these neighborhoods are spelled just like the colleges!"

Me: "yeah... Ummm...that's because those schools are there."

Gracie Slick Mama Cass made the right choice about Swarthmore ... see lyrics of California Dreaming.

Or...
Instead of Philladelphia, PA move to Braddock, PA where colorful mayor Fetterman will give you a warehouse, home and garden area for five dollars if you start a business in it.

I regret to say I'm not too familiar with the Philly metro area, but I noticed you left out the western area, from just outside the city limits out to West Chester and Downington, which is really nice with good housing and the Victory Brewing Company (HopDevil!). Plus, you're just a straight shot down I-476 to Harrah's :) Main Line is possibly too posh for comfort, although its undeniably nice.

I would nix the airport/Chester area, as well as Wilmington (unless you really hate sales tax). New Jersey is nice around the Cherry Hill area and of course that will be the most convenient to AC. The city might be a bit too frenetic coming from St. Paul, but maybe you'd like the urban grittiness. There are nice neighborhoods too within the city limits but NOT in Center City. (The area around St. Joseph's University for example). Those could be worth checking out, with good access to public transit.

Quote: FleaStiff

Gracie Slick made the right choice about Swarthmore ... see lyrics of California Dreaming.

Uh ... , wasn't that Cass Elliot?

(When Cass was a sophomore, planned to go to Swarthmore, but she changed her mind one day ....)

Quote: teddys

I regret to say I'm not too familiar with the Philly metro area, but I noticed you left out the western area, just outside the city limits out to West Chester and Downington, which is really nice with good housing and the Victory Brewing Company (HopDevil!). Plus, you're just a straight shot down I-476 to Harrah's :) Main Line is probably too posh for comfort, although its undeniably nice.

I would nix the airport/Chester area, as well as Wilmington (unless you really hate sales tax). New Jersey is nice around the Cherry Hill area and of course that will be the most convenient to AC. The city might be a bit too frenetic coming from St. Paul, but maybe you'd like the urban grittiness. There are nice neighborhoods too within the city limits but NOT in Center City. (The area around St. Joseph's University for example). Those could be worth checking out, with good access to public transit.

I'm in Saint Paul mostly because I wanted to be near-but-not-in downtown minneapolis and it's cheaper to do that in St Paul (Ramsey county) than it is in Minneapolis (Hennepin County). So I think you're right that Philly proper might be too urban for my tastes.

West Chester would be almost perfect - close to Harrahs, close to the city (though I hear traffic on 202 is horrid), and close enough to Delaware to get in some tax-free shopping when appropriate.

Downington has some lovely apartment buildings, and they're slightly cheaper than their sister properties in King of Prussia and Malvern.

If I were in a position to buy, I'd look somewhere exurban/rural with easy access to Reading, Philly, and the Lehigh valley; but I'm not so sure that the same logic applies to this rental situation. I can rent in a city that I couldn't possibly afford to buy (like Bryn Mawr or Malvern), but I'm not so sure that's a great idea either.

I'm also intrigued by what appears to be a common theme at some of these rental properties - free continental breakfast and a "business center" with a free printer. I get that the fitness center and pool have some sort of perceived value proposition, but these seem more like hotel amenities. I figure that the coffee and printing alone are worth about $100/month...

I lived for a bit in south Jersey, in Haddonfield.

Very nice place; a bit upper crust, but hey, if you want to slum, there's always Camden a couple miles away.

Camden

Haddonfield strattles the High Speed light rail that zips you into Philly, which is great, and it is near the Black Horse Pike and AC Expressway, so AC is very convenient.

Recommended.

Center City you will probably live in a hotel room sized condominium for that price, but if you have the job, the cultural scene is incredible.

Quote: pacomartin

Center City you will probably live in a hotel room sized condominium for that price, but if you have the job, the cultural scene is incredible.

Ah yes, culture in Philadelphia ... I miss it so.

fancy brigade

My previous reply was somewhat jocular but in a sense it poses a very serious issue: just what is it that YOU (and your Fiancee) will be doing in Philadelphia or its suburbs/ex-urbs?

Do you prefer restaurants and bars and grocery stores to be within walking area? Or a drive to get anywhere?
Will you be attending any of those dozen cooking schools? Do you go to nightclubs or golf courses or museums? Do you want to live next door to a casino or a golf course?

Statistical analyses can give you a profile of a neighborhood but it doesn't matter how many radio stations are available in Philadelphia if you never listen to the radio or how many golf clubs if you never play golf. Crime rates? Medical care? Auto Insurance rates? These things vary widely.

I lived in Philly for 7 years before moving to Vegas. Great city. Lots of fun and things happening for all ages, but especially a fun city for a younger person, with a big nightlife. I lived in the Rittenhouse Square area of Center City. Fantastic area, but pretty expensive as Philly is really over priced real estate wise both renting and buying. The only negative issue I had was a biggie. Bed bugs. I lived in a pretty upscale building, but the city is infested. And they are incredibly hard to get rid of, especially in a multi family type housing setting as they get into the walls ect. Here's a little disturbing article for you to consider.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/philadelphia-takes-top-spot-annual-120000637.html


I saw you had another thread about finding a 'home casino' in the phila area. I am not sure what your criteria is for a casino. I am a professional blackjack player, so for me its mostly about blackjack rules, conditions and crowded tables. In my view Parx is by far the best casino is Phila area. It's big modern many tables with low limits with 2 buildings Parx and Parks east made up of the old race track grandstand plus a newer casino building. Harrah's chester also has very good blackjack rules/conditions, although located in a bad area. Sugarhouse in Philly sucks. It is small, and always crowded with high table minimums. valley forge is also quite small, but has a surprising number of blackjack tables. It actually only has a few hundred machines and disproportional number of table games. It also is the only Pa casino I was barred from on my last trip. Plus you have to buy a membership to enter.

Sands casino (north) is also worth the trip. Good conditions and rules. If I was going to relocate back to that area I would consider plymouth meeting area. 1/2 hour outside the city. 15 miles from harrah's chester via rt 476 (blue route). 15 minutes from parx via Pa turnpike. 10 minutes from Valley forge via turnpike (20 minutes backroads). 1/2 hour from center city via schykill expresway. and 45 mintes from Sands via northeast extention of turn pike. Plymouth Meeting is suburban area with plenty of shopping, and restuarants.

If you like city life and can afford it, Center City is fantastic.

Quote: rdw4potus

I'm in Saint Paul mostly because I wanted to be near-but-not-in downtown minneapolis and it's cheaper to do that in St Paul (Ramsey county) than it is in Minneapolis (Hennepin County). So I think you're right that Philly proper might be too urban for my tastes.

West Chester would be almost perfect - close to Harrahs, close to the city (though I hear traffic on 202 is horrid), and close enough to Delaware to get in some tax-free shopping when appropriate.

Downington has some lovely apartment buildings, and they're slightly cheaper than their sister properties in King of Prussia and Malvern.

If I were in a position to buy, I'd look somewhere exurban/rural with easy access to Reading, Philly, and the Lehigh valley; but I'm not so sure that the same logic applies to this rental situation. I can rent in a city that I couldn't possibly afford to buy (like Bryn Mawr or Malvern), but I'm not so sure that's a great idea either.

I'm also intrigued by what appears to be a common theme at some of these rental properties - free continental breakfast and a "business center" with a free printer. I get that the fitness center and pool have some sort of perceived value proposition, but these seem more like hotel amenities. I figure that the coffee and printing alone are worth about $100/month...

Hmm...well the KoP/Norristown area might be your ideal choice since you'll have terrific access to Philly/Reading/Lehigh by car (forgetting about traffic, and you can always hop on the train to go to Center City). I'm not sure how bad the traffic is on I-476, but have you looked at any of the communities along that corridor? An acquaintance lives in Newtown Square and likes it a lot. And I may have spoken too soon about Chester; the city itself is a dump but there are some nice communities in suburban Delaware county. Plus, if I get anything from your posts its that you fly a lot and being close to the airport is always a plus.

i live just outside of philadelphia , you may want to look at newtown - yardley and southampton- suburbs- cheaper and near parx- private message me if you need any other info

I currently live a mile from Parx in Bensalem. I pay pretty cheap rent in a townhouse/apt complex and I live in TH for under $1,400. There are cheaper places. South Jersey is better only because I'm biased. I used to live there. Rent is cheap, beer/liquior can be purchased in the same place, you don't have to pay for car inspections, pluse I prefer AC casinos over Philly. Many things to factor. Philly, you'll pay taxes out the ass, and rent isn't as cheap unless you live where you won't feel safe. I lived in Philly for 4 years in places not so safe, but cheap rent.. depends on your preferences. If you chose in the City, might I suggest "Daniel J Lasdon Real Estate" My place had a great view of the city and decent rent. Outside of the City, Bensalem area, I suggest "Toll Management" Properties. If you chose Jersey, just stay away from Lindenwold, Camden, Lawnside, Brooklawn and Glouseter City. Really nice areas: Glendora, Runnemede, Deptford, Oaklyn, haddonfield, Westmont, Cherry Hill... All within 10-15min from the City.

I grew up in Montgomery County (north suburbs) & Bucks County is nice as well. Most of Delaware County is a hole though the Main Line is nice - but perhspa pricey for what you can get. Philly itself has the largest (acres) park system of any city in the US [I've been taught, so....] so you may find a good bit of green spaces along the river parks and around the Art Museum area - for enjoying not living (Art Museum area) if you choose to live downtown.

With I-476 complete you have major roadways to get about anywhere you want. If you look from KoP to Ft. Washington area you'll also have the easiest access to the Northeast extension of the turnpike if you want to ski in the pocono's, etc.

Anywhere in Philly - but for Pete's Sake - please don't live in Jersey!