Couple in 60's moving to Philly thinking of Center City? (Philadelphia: apartments, for rent)

[queenofallthings]

My husband and I are moving to Philly soon...We have only been there for work for short periods of time. Husband got a job promotion and he will work in Center City.

Tired of remodeling homes and mowing lawns at this point in our lives.
Would rather be free to get up and go whenever we want with none of those responsibilities.

We are thinking of Apartment living in the Center of town in a safe a walkable neighborhood. Which areas are best for unique shopping, theater, restaurants and events to keep us busy.

My husband thinks he will get bored but I think we will be able to do a lot more fun stuff right in the area.
What do you think of Philadelphia as a whole for an older couple? Which buildings in Center City would you recommend for renting.
Thank you!

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by queenofallthings

My husband and I are moving to Philly soon...We have only been there for work for short periods of time. Husband got a job promotion and he will work in Center City.

Tired of remodeling homes and mowing lawns at this point in our lives.
Would rather be free to get up and go whenever we want with none of those responsibilities.

We are thinking of Apartment living in the Center of town in a safe a walkable neighborhood. Which areas are best for unique shopping, theater, restaurants and events to keep us busy.

My husband thinks he will get bored but I think we will be able to do a lot more fun stuff right in the area.
What do you think of Philadelphia as a whole for an older couple? Which buildings in Center City would you recommend for renting.
Thank you!

I'm retired and in my 60s. I live in Spring Garden which is just north of Center City. There are lots of older adults and empty nesters in Center City proper so you won't feel out of place.

If you give us an idea of how much you can afford wrt renting we can give you some suggestions. I'm a condo owner so I have HOA fees.

I ditched my car three years ago so car expensives are, obviously, gone for me. Busy? Totally. I can hardly keep up wrt to all the things I like doing between events concerning the arts(theater, dance , music and museums), trying new restaurants or independent coffee shops, etc. Plus, I go to NYC about once a month so in addition to local things in Phila., there is another list of things I do in NY.

[newmarlig]

I would recommend the Rittenhouse Square area. But all of Center City is very compact and walkable, with excellent public transportation if needed. And there is Uber/Lyft. It is ideal for people your (my) age.

[Hannah5555]

If you fill out this form, we'll have a better idea of what you're looking for.

Questions For Future and Potential Residents and general information.

[kyb01]

OP, you might to check out the Alexander(16th and Vine Sts) and Hamiliton(Broad and Callowhill Sts). Both are brand new, just opened, buildings.

[Pine to Vine]

My husband and I moved here from Houston when I retired 7 years ago (I’m now 62). We moved into a condo when we moved here because we were specifically tired of all the work that comes along with home ownership. Couldn’t be happier.

I would consider most of Center City (roughly South Street to the Vine Expressway between the rivers) to be pretty safe, though some quarters are more vibrant than others. It’s really hard to recommend any specific buildings without knowing your budget. There has been a constant stream of new luxury high-rise apartments opening the past few years, with more still in development. I’d sugggest you fill out the questionnaire Hannah recommended you complete.

One thing does puzzle me about your post. You state your husband is worried he’ll be bored. We find there is much more to do here than there is time to do it. That’s because we love city living. So is your husband concerned there is not enough to do in Philly, or that he’ll be bored in an apartment with no yard or garage to tinker around in?

[Avalon08]

I was raised in the Philly suburbs and now am retired in FL. Center-city living was on my bucket list but it didn't happen, for various reasons. Anyway, I came up for the Eagles parade and stayed in center city. It was an awesome experience! Loved the vibrancy of the city (of course, everyone was extra-vibrant that week!), was able to Uber everywhere, restaurants and shopping were walkable....I realized what a fantastic experience I'd missed out on! As everyone has mentioned, we don't know your budget but my first preference would be Rittenhouse Square area. I honestly don't know how your hubby could be bored if he's still working, PLUS has all the excitement of living in center city!

[PHL10]

Originally Posted by newmarlig

I would recommend the Rittenhouse Square area. But all of Center City is very compact and walkable, with excellent public transportation if needed. And there is Uber/Lyft. It is ideal for people your (my) age.

+1 as long as the budget works.

Without knowing the budget, I think it's premature to offer alternatives like Spring Garden etc., which is fine but nothing like Center City and certainly rough around the edges in some ways.

As an example, how does Spring Garden provide this and if it doesn't, why would that be the first recommendation people would offer?:

We are thinking of Apartment living in the Center of town in a safe a walkable neighborhood. Which areas are best for unique shopping, theater, restaurants and events to keep us busy.

[Nn2036]

Rittenhouse Square.

Everything you need from shopping to restaurant to beautiful park.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by PHL10

+1 as long as the budget works.

Without knowing the budget, I think it's premature to offer alternatives like Spring Garden etc., which is fine but nothing like Center City and certainly rough around the edges in some ways.

As an example, how does Spring Garden provide this and if it doesn't, why would that be the first recommendation people would offer?:

Speaking as a Spring Gardenian, folks living there can be in the heart of Center City in minutes by either walking or pub trans.

I just mentioned SG because I live there. I'm not pushing it as an alternative to Center City proper.