30 YO College Student from San Diego - Where to Live? (Philadelphia: transfer to, neighborhoods)

[JBthestudent]

I'm 30, a bachelor, and a sophomore in college moving from San Diego, CA and planning on attending a community college in the Philly area while I become eligible for in-state tuition once I transfer to a university in the area.

I'm looking for suggestions on which area to live based on cheap housing and easy access to downtown and wherever the music scene is strongest.

[FindingZen]

What is your preferred housing budget? Do you have job prospects while you are in school?

Do you have an idea of which community college you will be attending? Bucks, Montgomery and Delaware Counties all have one as well as Philadelphia.

The epicenter of music and culture in general will be within the two square miles of downtown aka Center City. Odds are a college student budget will not be enough to afford a Center City neighborhood without at least one roommate; however, there are options in multiple adjacent communities.

Of course, the suburbs are generally more affordable but there aren't many any locations known for attracting a primarily younger crowd. West Chester and Conshohocken might be the closest to that ideal. The latter is easier to commute to the city via Regional Rail while the former would start with a considerable drive to a train station or a long bus ride.

[joephilly]

Check out the Kensington/Fishtown/Northern Liberties neighborhoods. Rents will vary, but that is in general order of cost, low to high. If you stay close to the El (Blue Line) you've got easy access to Center City and there's a number of music venues in this general area, especially along/near Girard Ave.

[egolise]

what type of music? there are lots of different music scenes in the city. lots of cool things happening in south, west, riverward areas. i agree with joephilly in that stayiong close to a SEPTA line to center city might be a good idea.