Two Grads Looking to Move and Very Clueless (York, Ardmore: best neighborhoods, apartments)

[bundant]

When are you moving? Hopefully within a year?? This is not figured out yet, hence why I'm asking around.
Where are you coming from? Morgantown WV
Why are you moving? Job opportunities and to get out of this small town.
Where will you be working? I'm an actor and my friend is a forensic/biology major.
Have you been here yet? Neither of us have.

Will you buy or rent? Rent!
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend?
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend? I'm looking into apartments or possibly town houses. But I'm hoping for a max 800 per person.
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up? I honestly don't know what the difference is (I've only ever rented an apartment once, the one I'm currently in.)

Do you have a preference of living in a NJ or PA suburb? Not really. I actually posted there first. I like the idea of living in a nice place with many option just outside the city, that way I can deviate between casual life and then city/busy life. I'm a person who likes variety.

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Single and no. Same for my friend.
Do you prefer public or private schools? Don't care.
Do you have pets? I WANT one. So any apartment has to be pet friendly. (plus washer for clothes)
Do you want or need a yard? Nah, not really.
Are you keeping a car? I am 90% sure I will, but depending on money, necessities, and if this 13 year old baby can last me, I might not.
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? I like both. I'm more into the former. I want to be able to change up where I shop or go out to eat. I want to be able to experience new things once in awhile or go to fav local spots. That's why I want to be close to a city with bustling, awesome opportunities. But I'd like to live outside the city, if possible, where I can feel chill and sit at home with my friend and have personal hangouts with other pals. (she's more of a quiet life person anyway and so that works when I want to change it up. I'm sorry but I'm such a person of change.)

What do you want to be closest to? All of the things listed below, honestly. I want to live where I can reach every single one of those and try different places out.
Work
Shopping
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.)
Nightlife
Train or subway stations

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? I prefer to be where there are people my age (mid 20s or so). I'm definitely one who likes diversity but I also want a place that's very open. Some of my friends are lgbtaq and I want them to feel safe if they visit. I also really love that community.


I feel I covered a lot of basics. Here's the big thing. I was looking into NJ because I think for my work (acting and the fact I have an agent interested in me in ny) that being close to NYC might be beneficial. HOWEVER. I've always had a draw towards Philly, even though I've never been. I like to follow gut feelings from time to time because they might just be right. I also know Philly has a nice acting scene but I'm not sure it's as diverse as NYC (I'd like to find classes on things from voice acting to shakespeare to film. I'm a jack of all trades). Also, my friend is a forensic/biology major and would like access to laboratory positions. I have no clue about that stuff, where to look or find it. I want to check Philly out along with other spots in NJ and maybe NY to see what fits us the most. This is all about researching and having a list. I was told on the other board to ask around here because I am interested in Philly a lot.

I guess what my biggest question is is where are the best neighborhoods for someone like me? What are the job opportunities like for me and my friend? What about transportation? Also, from what I've read, commuting from Philly to NYC is a terrible idea but what are your takes on it?

I hope I've covered everything and haven't rambled too much.

[MikeNigh]

Should live in the gayborhood in market east. Transportation is good in philly and to nyc but the bus ride is 2 hours and the faster train is expensive. New York is extremely big in the arts. If you need it for just the occasional class etc then it should be fine to live in philly. If you're going to live in NJ to be closer to NYC though you might as well just live in or near NYC.

[cpomp]

As far as acting, I have a friend in the arts, he always finds steady work in Philly for various plays and musicals, he also lands some jobs in the suburbs at local theaters. Its not like NYC but Philly will at least be a good start.

As far as your friend, I feel like she won't have any trouble finding work. Philly has a plethora or hospitals, universities and related research facilities in her department.

Philly is a great city of many great neighborhoods. Your budget would leave you at around $1600 between 2 people. That unfortunately would eliminate most options for a 2 bedroom in Center City. But in Center City and surrounding I would check out the Gayborhood, China Town/Spring Garden Area, Fairmount, University City, Graduate Hospital, Pennsport, Grays Ferry, Point Breeze, Northern Liberties, Fishtown. Some of these neighborhoods are "up and coming" which will provide more affordability because they are still in the renewing phase. All these neighborhoods are close to amenities, public transit and mostly safe areas.

Unless you live in Central Jersey, South Jersey doesn't really provide you with any advantage over the PA side. My only Jersey suggestion is Collingswood.

PA burbs that you may like that are a reasonable commute to Philly are Media, Conshohocken, and Ardmore. There are plenty more but commuting to Philly starts to become a pain the further out you get.

Good luck!

[Flyers Girl]

Originally Posted by MikeNigh

Should live in the gayborhood in market east. Transportation is good in philly and to nyc but the bus ride is 2 hours and the faster train is expensive. New York is extremely big in the arts. If you need it for just the occasional class etc then it should be fine to live in philly. If you're going to live in NJ to be closer to NYC though you might as well just live in or near NYC.

OP says they want to live right outside the city. MikeNigh comes in and says to live in the Gayborhood right off the bat.

[MikeNigh]

Originally Posted by Flyers Girl

OP says they want to live right outside the city. MikeNigh comes in and says to live in the Gayborhood right off the bat.

I suggest a place for someone to move to and one of the 3-4 particular posters attack me for it

Philly is a live in city, it's not Atlanta. Would someone saying they want to move to NYC get endlessly suggested the nearest suburbs and everyone (including their city residents?) attack anyone for suggesting otherwise? The philly suburbs are some of the best in the nation, but the city is what is unique. You can get great suburbs outside of virtually every major city in america.

Actually the poster didn't say they wanted to live in the suburbs so one could only assume they wanted to live in the city. They thought it might gain them an advantage going to NYC which it won't.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by MikeNigh

I suggest a place for someone to move to and one of the 3-4 particular posters attack me for it

Philly is a live in city, it's not Atlanta. Would someone saying they want to move to NYC get endlessly suggested the nearest suburbs and everyone (including their city residents?) attack anyone for suggesting otherwise? The philly suburbs are some of the best in the nation, but the city is what is unique. You can get great suburbs outside of virtually every major city in america.

Actually the poster didn't say they wanted to live in the suburbs so one could only assume they wanted to live in the city. They thought it might gain them an advantage going to NYC which it won't.

Re-read their post. They did specify "outside the city".

[MikeNigh]

Originally Posted by kyb01

Re-read their post. They did specify "outside the city".

Oh I only read this part -
"I was looking into NJ because I think for my work (acting and the fact I have an agent interested in me in ny) that being close to NYC might be beneficial. HOWEVER. I've always had a draw towards Philly ..."