Just bought a place in Old City! (Philadelphia, York: new home, neighborhood)

[Redddog]

Hey guys. So yeah, we're really psyched.

It's near the corner of 2nd and Market and we move the end of July.

Anything we need to know about Old City or Philly in general?

Thanks all.

[elliotgb]

Congrats.

I worked in that area over 20 years ago, so I am sure it has changed immensely.

Here's a nice site: Old City District

[Mimidae]

Ah, so you found your Old City home - congrats! I see you'd been researching the market for quite a long time, and Old City was your first choice although you were expanding your search. I'm sure you know the vibe of Old City, and there are those people who say it caters too much now to Philly's version of the "bridge and tunnel people", but it's still a classic neighborhood with a lot going for it. Nice to see someone get what they wanted, after a long search!

[Redddog]

Yeah, Hallouise. We do have an idea about that part of town although not much beyond that.

We lost our son about a year ago. We did all the right things they tell you to do for the first year: no big reflexive changes, nothing rash etc. After a while, the comfort of living in his house gave way to just the pain of it.

We had always loved the vibe in Old City (and I'll refrain from saying "It's just like 'this neighborhood' in New York") but completely understand how it may attract the weekends partiers. The convenience and astetic of that area outweighs it for us.

We ended up with a 1600 sq ft place and couldn't be happier. In fact, it's the happiest I've seen my wife in a good 3 years.

It'll be hard to leave but we're psyched about where we're going.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by Redddog

Yeah, Hallouise. We do have an idea about that part of town although not much beyond that.

We lost our son about a year ago. We did all the right things they tell you to do for the first year: no big reflexive changes, nothing rash etc. After a while, the comfort of living in his house gave way to just the pain of it.

We had always loved the vibe in Old City (and I'll refrain from saying "It's just like 'this neighborhood' in New York") but completely understand how it may attract the weekends partiers. The convenience and astetic of that area outweighs it for us.

We ended up with a 1600 sq ft place and couldn't be happier. In fact, it's the happiest I've seen my wife in a good 3 years.

It'll be hard to leave but we're psyched about where we're going.

You probably know about the Arden Theater and Christ Church has occasional shows in their Neighborhood House's theater. I saw a terrific tap dance show there a few weeks ago. Plus you are a few steps away from two of branches of the Ritz Theater movie group.

I love the shops along 3rd St north of Market. And Franklin Fountain! Yum... That alone makes it worth any nuisance "partiers".

[ionlyused59]

Redddog-- My sincerest sympathies go to you and your wife over your loss. I am happy that you are so psyched in choosing Philly as home. Where are you coming from? My husband and I moved here about a year and a half ago and I'm loving it more and more.

Old City is a great area. Congrats! Like Kyb01, I also enjoy the shops along 3rd St north of Market. And yes, Franklin Fountain is so yummy. My husband and I take our family to 5th and Market to do the Big Bus Tour, which is a lot of fun if you haven't done it yet.

My advice is... walk! Walk everywhere and take in the history and architecture all around you. You'll discover new things all the time. It's so easy to get from one neighborhood to the next. Oh, and biking is huge here if you're into that! They just launched a bike share program if you don't own your own bike. Summer here is fun. Lots of cool beer gardens, outdoor festivals, etc. For fun happenings in the city, make sure you go to Uwishunu - Philadelphia Blog About Things to Do, Events, Restaurants, Food, Nightlife and More |. It's a great resource that I always use. Nowhere is perfect but Philly is a bargain on the East Coast with a really fun, gritty small town/big city feel. Lots of exciting things on the horizon here. Welcome to Philly!

[Redddog]

Thanks for the welcome, IOU59.

We're coming from Rochester, NY. We moved here from NYC when the NYSE went to computers ( I was a specialist trader on the floor). I grew up in Roch and really didn't want to move back but there were positives - parents, friends, good place to raise kids, etc. It really is a good place to raise kids and for those reasons, it makes it incredibly hard to live there having lost a child.

Anyway, he'll come with us wherever we go. It seems like it's time. It's been a nightmare.

As for walking, we do a ton of that and walked our asses off the last time we were there. Great town for that and one of the key reasons we love it so much.

Thanks again.

[Redddog]

KYB, our place is right next to the Arden. Looks awesome. Is the Ritz Theatre group just a regular movie place? Or do they do artsy stuff?

[LibraGirl123]

Originally Posted by Redddog

KYB, our place is right next to the Arden. Looks awesome. Is the Ritz Theatre group just a regular movie place? Or do they do artsy stuff?

The Ritz Theatres are definitely not "regular"...and artsy is their middle name! There are three of them in Philly. The Ritz Five and Ritz East are within walking distance of your new home. I'm jealous!

Landmark Theatres Philadelphia | Landmark Theatres

[Mimidae]

I'm so sorry your son lost his battle. I had seen mention of that, too, but I didn't want to pry. Glad to hear the move has brought a little sunshine back into your lives.

To new beginnings!

In one of your older posts, you mentioned wanting to find a non-perfect place that you could refurbish. Did you end up finding this? I think it's great when people who have the means and the skills can take a beautiful older home and make it shine again. It's good for the city.