Relocating - Need Help With Neighborhoods! (Philadelphia, York: 2014, apartment, school districts)

[briannakimball134]

Hello everyone!

I was hoping you could help my friend and I out with some information about Philadelphia. We are both looking to relocate and have settled our search on either Philadelphia or Boston. We have both been to Philadelphia a few times and have really loved it, but we do not know much about the area or the different neighborhoods.

First, a little bit about us: We are both 23-year old, white, females. My friend is a nurse and will be looking for a position at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, CHOP, or the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. I am an English teacher and will be looking for a teaching position in Philly or the surrounding area

We are both young and looking to be around other young people. We really enjoy going out to bars/ clubs, trying new restaurants and coffee places, going to parks/ walking paths.

She is from New York, and I am from New Hampshire, but we both come from towns with very little crime. Are there neighborhoods that we should avoid? Is there any portion of the city that is considered “rough”?

Which school districts should I look into? Are there any school districts that I should avoid? I am willing to commute up to 45 minutes.

We will both have cars. Is there anything we should know about parking, permits, etc.?

I also have a dog, and it is important to me that we live in a dog-friendly area. Are there specific neighborhoods that are considered more dog-friendly? I would love to live near a dog park or walking trail.

Can you recommend some neighborhoods for us to look into? We would be looking for a 2 bedroom apartment. Our maximum budget is $1,800.

Any other information you can give us would be extremely helpful. Thank you in advance for your help!

[peterthepirate]

Hmmm I think Manayunk might be right for you. Anyone else have any thoughts?

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by briannakimball134

Hello everyone!

I was hoping you could help my friend and I out with some information about Philadelphia. We are both looking to relocate and have settled our search on either Philadelphia or Boston. We have both been to Philadelphia a few times and have really loved it, but we do not know much about the area or the different neighborhoods.

First, a little bit about us: We are both 23-year old, white, females. My friend is a nurse and will be looking for a position at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, CHOP, or the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. I am an English teacher and will be looking for a teaching position in Philly or the surrounding area

We are both young and looking to be around other young people. We really enjoy going out to bars/ clubs, trying new restaurants and coffee places, going to parks/ walking paths.

She is from New York, and I am from New Hampshire, but we both come from towns with very little crime. Are there neighborhoods that we should avoid? Is there any portion of the city that is considered “rough”?

Which school districts should I look into? Are there any school districts that I should avoid? I am willing to commute up to 45 minutes.

We will both have cars. Is there anything we should know about parking, permits, etc.?
L
I also have a dog, and it is important to me that we live in a dog-friendly area. Are there specific neighborhoods that are considered more dog-friendly? I would love to live near a dog park or walking trail.

Can you recommend some neighborhoods for us to look into? We would be looking for a 2 bedroom apartment. Our maximum budget is $1,800.

Any other information you can give us would be extremely helpful. Thank you in advance for your help!

University City(which is divided ito various neighborhoods like Spruce Hill)is located just west of Penn/Drexel might work for you. There are lots of young people, including families. It's also pretty much "connected" to Center City which, I assume you know, is where Jeff is located.

Seems dog friendly. Some sections need parking permits and others don't.

Your budget should work.

Additionally the Penn Medicine/Health System is more that HUP. It includes two other hospitals: Penn Presbyterian and Pennsylvania Hospital(the oldest hospital in the country).

[toobusytoday]

Originally Posted by briannakimball134

Hello everyone!

I was hoping you could help my friend and I out with some information about Philadelphia. We are both looking to relocate and have settled our search on either Philadelphia or Boston. We have both been to Philadelphia a few times and have really loved it, but we do not know much about the area or the different neighborhoods.

First, a little bit about us: We are both 23-year old, white, females. My friend is a nurse and will be looking for a position at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, CHOP, or the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. I am an English teacher and will be looking for a teaching position in Philly or the surrounding area

We are both young and looking to be around other young people. We really enjoy going out to bars/ clubs, trying new restaurants and coffee places, going to parks/ walking paths.

She is from New York, and I am from New Hampshire, but we both come from towns with very little crime. Are there neighborhoods that we should avoid? Is there any portion of the city that is considered “rough”?

Which school districts should I look into? Are there any school districts that I should avoid? I am willing to commute up to 45 minutes.

We will both have cars. Is there anything we should know about parking, permits, etc.?

I also have a dog, and it is important to me that we live in a dog-friendly area. Are there specific neighborhoods that are considered more dog-friendly? I would love to live near a dog park or walking trail.

Can you recommend some neighborhoods for us to look into? We would be looking for a 2 bedroom apartment. Our maximum budget is $1,800.

Any other information you can give us would be extremely helpful. Thank you in advance for your help!

I would highly suggest nailing down those jobs before you make the move. It's much more likely for your friend to land a nursing job than for you to get a teaching job. Do you have your Pennsylvania teaching certifications? Unlike many states PA has a surplus of certified teachers and the jobs in the good school districts surrounding the city are highly competitive. You do have a better chance of getting a job in Philadelphia but there's a reason why most people don't want to work there. Philadelphia Schools: Another Year, Another Budget Crisis : NPR Ed : NPR

[cpomp]

Fishtown and University City would work well.

If you can and are willing to commute, get a teaching job in the suburbs. There are plenty of good suburbs/school districts within commuting distance to Philly.

[Becca8377]

Originally Posted by peterthepirate

Hmmm I think Manayunk might be right for you. Anyone else have any thoughts?

I don't agree with this.

If you're coming without a job lined up, best bet is to stay in a more central area. Previous suggestion of University City would work, as would West Philly. And with a budget of $1800 you can even look more into Rittenhouse area, Old City, etc. But I would definitely try to get jobs before moving here for sure and then you can narrow down your neighborhoods.

[rainrock]

Spring Garden, Art Museum area,Fitler Square sounds like a great fit as far as living accomodations.Actually any of the Center City neighborhoods sound like a fit.

School districts to avoid? Philadelphia,Chester Upland,Southeast Delco,Upper Darby.

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by Becca8377

I don't agree with this.

If you're coming without a job lined up, best bet is to stay in a more central area. Previous suggestion of University City would work, as would West Philly. And with a budget of $1800 you can even look more into Rittenhouse area, Old City, etc. But I would definitely try to get jobs before moving here for sure and then you can narrow down your neighborhoods.

2 bedroom max budget $1800, Rittenhouse Square is almost entirely out of the question.

Old City is really a stretch too.

[Becca8377]

Originally Posted by cpomp

2 bedroom max budget $1800, Rittenhouse Square is almost entirely out of the question.

Old City is really a stretch too.

Not true - there are quite a few 2 bedrooms for $1800 and below in Rittenhouse. Just pulled it up on Hotpads. Old City is more of a stretch, but there are a few.

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by Becca8377

Not true - there are quite a few 2 bedrooms for $1800 and below in Rittenhouse. Just pulled it up on Hotpads. Old City is more of a stretch, but there are a few.

I came across a handful within that 5-7 block vicinity and most (to me) aren't that desirable and right at the max before utilities. So that leaves you with what 2 or 3 okay options to choose from. Rittenhouse is great, but realistically speaking you need to spend $1500+ for an average 1 bed and $2200+ for a decent 2 bedroom if you want options.

They are better off in U City, maybe Queen Village, Bella Vista, Fishtown, Spring Garden etc.