Please help me choose my next Philly neighborhood! (Girard, Penn: real estate, 2013)

[PhilliesPhan2013]

As many of you know, I'm a local who not only grew up in West Philly, but also currently lives in the Templetown/Cecil B. Moore neighborhood. Now that I'm preparing to graduate from Temple in May (hence why I haven't logged on this site for a while), I'm getting ready to start searching for a new apartment. After a promising interview (I made it to the third and final interview, which will be on Thursday), along with two others in the pipeline, I have a better idea of what my budget for a new place may be.

The following is a list of amenities that I'd prefer to see at a potential place and/or neighborhood (*=important):

Accessibility to SEPTA buses, trolleys, and/or subways*
An active, nearby commercial corridor*
A rooftop deck*
A neighborhood with a significant population of young professionals*
Close to Center City
Accessibility to the Regional Rail
Proximity to nature
Dense blocks full of rowhomes
Proximity to retail
A nice bar/beer garden

With that stated, my top three neighborhoods are Brewerytown, Fishtown, and Bella Vista.

There are also a few secondary neighborhoods I'd be willing to consider. These neighborhoods fall into that category due to their lacking of one or more of the amenities mentioned, and/or my potential inability to afford it. The secondary neighborhoods include: Francisville, Northern Liberties, Pennsport, all Center City neighborhoods, Manayunk, South Kensington, East Kensington, Templetown, Port Richmond, Point Breeze, Germantown, and West Philly neighborhoods south of Market.

The only two sections of the city that I will not consider are Northeast and Southwest Philly. Also, none of the North Central (roughly Lehigh to the Boulevard, Front to 33rd) neighborhoods really appeal to me.

Taking everything into consideration, would it be possible for me to find a 1BR/1BA unit with most/all desired amenities in any of my top three neighborhoods? I should be able to spend anywhere between $800-$1300 a month on rent, depending on what kind of compensation the offer will include.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post! I apologize in advance if I misspelled anything/made any grammatical mistakes, as I've been working on a project for a few hours.

[MarketStEl]

I assume the roof deck would be shared with your fellow tenants.

It will cost you.

Oddly enough, I think that your odds of finding one of those with a 1BR/1BA in your desired rent range are greatest in Francisville.

But they're going to be long no matter where you look.

Studio apartment is another matter entirely, if you can settle for one.

[PHL10]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

Oddly enough, I think that your odds of finding one of those with a 1BR/1BA in your desired rent range are greatest in Francisville.

Agree and I think Francisville is much less of a "work in progress" than Brewerytown.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by PhilliesPhan2013

As many of you know, I'm a local who not only grew up in West Philly, but also currently lives in the Templetown/Cecil B. Moore neighborhood. Now that I'm preparing to graduate from Temple in May (hence why I haven't logged on this site for a while), I'm getting ready to start searching for a new apartment. After a promising interview (I made it to the third and final interview, which will be on Thursday), along with two others in the pipeline, I have a better idea of what my budget for a new place may be.

The following is a list of amenities that I'd prefer to see at a potential place and/or neighborhood (*=important):

Accessibility to SEPTA buses, trolleys, and/or subways*
An active, nearby commercial corridor*
A rooftop deck*
A neighborhood with a significant population of young professionals*
Close to Center City
Accessibility to the Regional Rail
Proximity to nature
Dense blocks full of rowhomes
Proximity to retail
A nice bar/beer garden

With that stated, my top three neighborhoods are Brewerytown, Fishtown, and Bella Vista.

There are also a few secondary neighborhoods I'd be willing to consider. These neighborhoods fall into that category due to their lacking of one or more of the amenities mentioned, and/or my potential inability to afford it. The secondary neighborhoods include: Francisville, Northern Liberties, Pennsport, all Center City neighborhoods, Manayunk, South Kensington, East Kensington, Templetown, Port Richmond, Point Breeze, Germantown, and West Philly neighborhoods south of Market.

The only two sections of the city that I will not consider are Northeast and Southwest Philly. Also, none of the North Central (roughly Lehigh to the Boulevard, Front to 33rd) neighborhoods really appeal to me.

Taking everything into consideration, would it be possible for me to find a 1BR/1BA unit with most/all desired amenities in any of my top three neighborhoods? I should be able to spend anywhere between $800-$1300 a month on rent, depending on what kind of compensation the offer will include.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post! I apologize in advance if I misspelled anything/made any grammatical mistakes, as I've been working on a project for a few hours.

Surprised you haven't checked that good 1 bedrooms in many of those places are $1200-$1500. Unless you can handle a roommate or can do a studio that is.

[kyb01]

OP, the biggest advice I can give you, since you are just starting out is to start saving for your retirement NOW. Do not put it off. And do not touch that money if you can! Also start saving for a down payment for your first home. Get off of the rental treadmill.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

I assume the roof deck would be shared with your fellow tenants.

It will cost you.

Oddly enough, I think that your odds of finding one of those with a 1BR/1BA in your desired rent range are greatest in Francisville.

But they're going to be long no matter where you look.

Studio apartment is another matter entirely, if you can settle for one.

Re: Francisville. Probably closer to Girard Ave but probably not near Fairmount Ave.

[Redddog]

As I always do, I'll throw a shout-out to Old City.

Checks off all of your list

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by PHL10

Agree and I think Francisville is much less of a "work in progress" than Brewerytown.

It (Francisville)absolutely is. No question about it.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by Redddog

As I always do, I'll throw a shout-out to Old City.

Checks off all of your list

But beyond his pay grade for a 1BR.

[BK_PHL_DEL]

Looking at Zillow in Fishtown, this listing stood out:

Link removed by moderator. Single real estate listings are not allowed.


It is new construction and has a shared roof deck and laundry in-unit (wish I had that when I rented!). You have Riverwards Produce like a block away, Berks station a short walk away (via a paved pathway that cuts through the school and fields that a lot of people use during commute rush hours), Evil Genius/Loco Pez/Cedar Point/etc., Palmer Park and Palmer doggie depot for people and dog watching, and Penn Treaty park is not too far of a walk, especially on a nice day. The one thing lacking the most is access to regional rail. But, it's a quick subway ride to Suburban as you already probably know. I'd strongly consider this place!