Should we relocate to Philly? If yes then y, if no then y'not

[kidphilly]

Yes would say the price pint will be different for a good area. Probably at least or close to double what you are paying now

Philly is great but I would consider the cost and family schools. As others noted many suburban schools are very good to excellent generally better than the Atlanta area (generality) but also come with higher costs. On weather Philly is hot in the summer (not quite as hot) and more pronounced winter not awful.

You may also want to look at Media PA, but at the comparable price point for nice areas with good schools the options are far more limited here compared to Atlanta

Definitely consider that as it is a considerable factor

and honestly with taxes and housing difference 10% may be a little light; not trying to scare you as I love the Philly area but its a tangible difference

Best of luck in your search and decision

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by kidphilly

Yes would say the price pint will be different for a good area. Probably at least or close to double what you are paying now

Philly is great but I would consider the cost and family schools. As others noted many suburban schools are very good to excellent generally better than the Atlanta area (generality) but also come with higher costs. On weather Philly is hot in the summer (not quite as hot) and more pronounced winter not awful.

You may also want to look at Media PA, but at the comparable price point for nice areas with good schools the options are far more limited here compared to Atlanta

Definitely consider that as it is a considerable factor

and honestly with taxes and housing difference 10% may be a little light; not trying to scare you as I love the Philly area but its a tangible difference

Best of luck in your search and decision

I know you know the area very well. But how many options are there going to be in Media finding a townhome for 1200 a month? Maybe a 1 bedroom apartment?

[Burger Fan]

Originally Posted by toobusytoday

This cost of living calculator from CNN may help clarify your decision: Cost of Living Calculator: Compare the Cost of Living in Two Cities - CNNMoney

Don't move for the money!

This is excellent. Worth noting is that CNN puts philadelphia housing costs at a 40% premium over Atlanta.

so expect to pay about $1700 in the philly area for a comparable $1200 home in the atlanta area, which sounds about right to me personally.

[musman]

Philly is expensive.

[FrankInPhilly]

Originally Posted by musman

Philly is expensive.

Nitpicking here ...

Compared to Atlanta, yes, expensive.
Compared to most other major Northeast US cities with high levels of amenities (sports, cultural, dining, etc.), much less expensive.

Another poster mentioned Philly's wage tax. Note that if you work in the city you pay the wage tax - residents pay at a slightly higher rate than non-residents, but EVERYONE pays. What wasn't mentioned was that some municipalities also have a wage tax (albeit usually very much lower than Philly's), and I don't believe there's reciprocity: if you live in suburb 'x' and pay 1% tax you don't get that deducted from what you pay to Philly (or vice versa) - I think you get the gist even if I didn't phrase it well.

But ... you get to live in the Philly metro area, and it's a GREAT place to live! My wife and I moved here 7 years ago, from Chapel Hill NC - we couldn't be happier, and when all was said and done Philly wasn't that much more expensive (less than $2,000) than Chapel Hill (the comparison included PA's relatively low tax rate, higher insurance for cars here in Philly, the wage tax, amount of wear & tear on the cars, etc.).

[musman]

Originally Posted by FrankInPhilly

Nitpicking here ...

Compared to Atlanta, yes, expensive.
Compared to most other major Northeast US cities with high levels of amenities (sports, cultural, dining, etc.), much less expensive.

Another poster mentioned Philly's wage tax. Note that if you work in the city you pay the wage tax - residents pay at a slightly higher rate than non-residents, but EVERYONE pays. What wasn't mentioned was that some municipalities also have a wage tax (albeit usually very much lower than Philly's), and I don't believe there's reciprocity: if you live in suburb 'x' and pay 1% tax you don't get that deducted from what you pay to Philly (or vice versa) - I think you get the gist even if I didn't phrase it well.

But ... you get to live in the Philly metro area, and it's a GREAT place to live! My wife and I moved here 7 years ago, from Chapel Hill NC - we couldn't be happier, and when all was said and done Philly wasn't that much more expensive (less than $2,000) than Chapel Hill (the comparison included PA's relatively low tax rate, higher insurance for cars here in Philly, the wage tax, amount of wear & tear on the cars, etc.).

One of my collegue went to UNC chapel hill. Its nice town.
I agree for the most part. But being in Metro philly vs Metro Atlanta may not be a great a deal for me. Here in Atlanta(Hotlanta right now ) we may have less opportunities but overall quality of life is not that bad.
2000 is not bad actually.