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Old 03-31-2016, 02:36 PM
 
3 posts, read 2,727 times
Reputation: 10

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Hello

My husband and I are in our early 40's and have been thinking vaguely about moving to Philadelphia for the past year or so. My husband's contract has just finished and we are thinking of taking the plunge now. We own a small online business which we can operate from anywhere, but realistically one of us will need to work while we try to grow our business. We have visited Philly 3 times in the past year so are confident we aren't making a blind decision, but we don't know a lot about the city/suburbs - other than what we saw as tourists, which was impressive.

I'm starting to research now but any advice would be appreciated!



When are you moving? April 2016
Where are you coming from? Hartford CT
Why are you moving? Looking for a vibrant city to call home
Where will you be working? We don't have jobs lined up but have enough to get by for 3-4 months
Have you been here yet? Yes but only as tourists in the city

Will you buy or 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?
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up?
We will rent and can pay up to $1500 a month. Our priorities are safe neighborhood, a downtown location or within 45 minutes by public transport.

Do you have a preference of living in a NJ or PA suburb? PA
(If you answered NJ - post your answers here: http://www.city-data.com/forum/new-j...-philadelphia/)

Are you married or single? Do you have children? No children
Do you prefer public or private schools? n/a
Do you have pets? no
Do you want or need a yard? no
Are you keeping a car? yes, just 1
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? bustling activity

What do you want to be closest to?
Work
Shopping
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.)
Nightlife
Train or subway stations
We are looking for a city location or a suburb location that is active and safe. We don't mind a suburban location but only if it doesn't feel isolated. We are finding there isn't a lot for us to do in our current suburban location in Hartford - but there isn't anything to do in Hartford itself. So we are thinking downtown Philly will have what we want - but perhaps there are some suburbs that will as well - unlike here in Hartford. Easy access to public transport to downtown Philly is important.

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? We are both college educated and really just want to be somewhere dynamic and safe. We are middle of the road people!

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Old 03-31-2016, 09:42 PM
 
Location: Villanova Pa.
4,927 posts, read 14,161,695 times
Reputation: 2714
Here are some walkable suburban towns that you can look into but it sounds like one of the Center City neighborhoods is what you are looking for.

The suburbs here even the walkable ones have a strong conservative family vibe.

Suburban towns- these are within 20-30 minutes to Center City with rail access.

Wayne
Ardmore
Bryn Mawr
Haverford
Narberth
Chestnut Hill( technically a part of Philadelphia but acts as a suburban town and a very nice one at that)


Center City neighborhoods

Rittenhouse Square is the best Philly has to offer.
Old City
Washington West
Society Hill
Fitler Square
Graduate Hospital
Logan Square
Art Museum
Spring Garden
Fairmount
Queen Village
Bella Vista
University City
Manayunk
East Falls

Good luck.
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Old 04-01-2016, 07:50 AM
 
3 posts, read 2,727 times
Reputation: 10
Quote:
Originally Posted by rainrock View Post
Here are some walkable suburban towns that you can look into but it sounds like one of the Center City neighborhoods is what you are looking for.

The suburbs here even the walkable ones have a strong conservative family vibe.

Suburban towns- these are within 20-30 minutes to Center City with rail access.

Wayne
Ardmore
Bryn Mawr
Haverford
Narberth
Chestnut Hill( technically a part of Philadelphia but acts as a suburban town and a very nice one at that)


Center City neighborhoods

Rittenhouse Square is the best Philly has to offer.
Old City
Washington West
Society Hill
Fitler Square
Graduate Hospital
Logan Square
Art Museum
Spring Garden
Fairmount
Queen Village
Bella Vista
University City
Manayunk
East Falls

Good luck.
Thank you so much for your reply rainrock, it's very helpful.
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Old 04-01-2016, 08:06 AM
 
Location: Capitol Hill - Washington, DC
3,168 posts, read 5,500,739 times
Reputation: 3420
Just a correction on rainrock's post - the following neighborhoods are CITY neighborhoods, not *Center* City neighborhoods. Center City is our central downtown area. Some of the neighborhoods (Manayunk, for example) are a 20-25min train ride from Center City

Art Museum - Near Art Museum (NW of CC)
Spring Garden - Near Art Museum (NW of CC)
Fairmount - Near Art Museum (NW of CC)
Queen Village - South Philly (S of CC)
Bella Vista - South Philly (SE of CC)
University City - Near 30th St Station (W of CC)
Manayunk - Further NW of CC
East Falls - Further NW of CC
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Old 04-01-2016, 09:22 AM
 
Location: Villanova Pa.
4,927 posts, read 14,161,695 times
Reputation: 2714
Quote:
Originally Posted by Becca8377 View Post
Just a correction on rainrock's post - the following neighborhoods are CITY neighborhoods, not *Center* City neighborhoods. Center City is our central downtown area. Some of the neighborhoods (Manayunk, for example) are a 20-25min train ride from Center City

Art Museum - Near Art Museum (NW of CC)
Spring Garden - Near Art Museum (NW of CC)
Fairmount - Near Art Museum (NW of CC)
Queen Village - South Philly (S of CC)
Bella Vista - South Philly (SE of CC)
University City - Near 30th St Station (W of CC)
Manayunk - Further NW of CC
East Falls - Further NW of CC
Yes Manayunk and East Falls are distinct neighborhoods far removed from Center City.That was an oversight on my behalf.

Everything else posted i would regard as a part of "greater" center city though .
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Old 04-01-2016, 09:29 AM
 
Location: Philadelphia, PA
4,453 posts, read 3,981,806 times
Reputation: 3021
Quote:
Originally Posted by cmi16 View Post

We will rent and can pay up to $1500 a month. Our priorities are safe neighborhood, a downtown location or within 45 minutes by public transport.

How many bedrooms are you looking for? Pretty much at this point any city neighborhood that is go to will be safe. If you are in between JFK blvd and spruce st you will probably need a $200 / mo parking garage spot. Also though you will probably find after a few months that you don't need it. Do you have somewhere you can park it for free if you don't want to sell it immediately?
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Old 04-01-2016, 10:02 AM
 
Location: East Mt Airy, Philadelphia
1,119 posts, read 1,453,260 times
Reputation: 2200
Quote:
Originally Posted by Becca8377 View Post
Just a correction on rainrock's post - the following neighborhoods are CITY neighborhoods, not *Center* City neighborhoods. Center City is our central downtown area. Some of the neighborhoods (Manayunk, for example) are a 20-25min train ride from Center City

Art Museum - Near Art Museum (NW of CC)
Spring Garden - Near Art Museum (NW of CC)
Fairmount - Near Art Museum (NW of CC)
Queen Village - South Philly (S of CC)
Bella Vista - South Philly (SE of CC)
University City - Near 30th St Station (W of CC)
Manayunk - Further NW of CC
East Falls - Further NW of CC
I'd add East/West Mt Airy to the list (NW of CC, about 25 min train ride). Parking wouldn't be an issue in either neighborhood, nor would safety. There's a good # of restaurants, bars, shops along Germantown Avenue (the dividing line between the 'hoods), as well as farther NW, in Chestnut Hill. The Mt Airy's and Chestnut Hill are, like the other 'hoods mentioned above, in Philly proper (i.e., subject to wage tax).

And I'd add Ambler to the stuff-to-do-in-suburbia list (has a train station, don't know how long to Center City).
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Old 04-01-2016, 10:40 AM
 
3 posts, read 2,727 times
Reputation: 10
Thanks for the replies everyone! We hope to get down next week for a few days so you have given us a framework which is a great help.
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