Moving advice for couple- not drinkers, no kids (Philadelphia, Clark: fit in, apartments)

[Smushums101]

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some advice on neighborhoods to rent in, as I will be working in Philadelphia this summer. My partner and I (30yo) will be moving from the very rural Michigan UP and neither of us has ever lived in a big city before. I’m mildly concerned about safety, noise and privacy since I’ve always taken those things for granted with the forest in my backyard. I don’t necessarily want to live among the young 20s party/ drinking crowd but I also feel the young family stuff does not apply. Most of the discussion I’ve seen revolves around schools or where the nightlife and food are. I’m more concerned about easy access to safe trees and trails. We’d fit in best amongst the Bob Marley types or like an artsy crowd. We skate aggressive so skateparks are big selling points to us.
Thanks!!

When are you moving? May 15ish
Where are you coming from? Michigan UP
Why are you moving? New phase of life/ adventure
Where will you be working? All around Philly - must go to Pennington NJ 1x per week
Have you been here yet? No

Will you buy or rent? Rent
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? Idk the difference in these. It doesn’t matter really- a studio apt is fine. As long as we have a private residence (ie not sharing living space).
How much can you spend?
$1400 is absolute max including pet rent, utilities, parking.
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up? Preferably walk up but that’s my first comprise.

Do you have a preference of living in a NJ or PA suburb? No preference.
(If you answered NJ - post your answers here: //www.city-data.com/forum/new-j...-philadelphia/)

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married, no kids.
Do you have pets? 1 cat 1 dog
Do you want or need a yard? I’m sure I can’t afford one but it would be nice.
Are you keeping a car? Yes. We will have 1 car.
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? Calm and quiet

What do you want to be closest to? - nature parks and skate parks.
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.)
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? Similar age would be nice but otherwise diversity.

Favorite Beverage - Water

[Parnassia]

Why would your beverage preference have that much to do with where you want to live? AFAIK you can still order water off the menu in any bar, club, or restaurant. No one is going to require you to step foot in any bar. The other parameters such as cost of living, your budget, neighborhood atmosphere or diversity, crime, the commute to your job, accessibility to services are all much more important.

[KansastoSouthphilly]

You should probably move to Mt. Airy. I would look around the area near Carpenters woods. It is not a big drinking neighborhood but it is not entirely families either. I don't have kids and am happy living here. You will have easy access to much of the metro, and easy access to the enormous wissahickon/fairmount park. The neighborhood itself is very leafy and generally peaceful. It is proudly known as a hippy neighborhood. Don't know anything about skate parks though. You would have to travel to get to that. You aren't expecting much for your budget so it should be easy to find a place at or below your prices range.

Alternatively you might like the part of West Philadelphia near Clark Park. It is also very leafy. There are a lot of undergraduates in the area though so you might not like that though it might matter less in the summer. I recommend this behind Mt. Airy because it is busier and noisier and you seem anxious about that. Less access to trails and nature (Clark Park is just a well loved neighborhood park). Good luck!

[Angus215]

A good neighborhood for you could be the Art Museum/Fairmount area, where you would have access to Fairmount Park, the Schuylkill River Trail, and Paine's Skate Park. Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill could also be good possibilities, which are have more of a small town feel and are near Wissahickon Park.

[Smushums101]

Originally Posted by Parnassia

Why would your beverage preference have that much to do with where you want to live? AFAIK you can still order water off the menu in any bar, club, or restaurant. No one is going to require you to step foot in any bar. The other parameters such as cost of living, your budget, neighborhood atmosphere or diversity, crime, the commute to your job, accessibility to services are all much more important.

I did not come up with the questionnaire, I simply answered the questions suggested by the community on the pinned moving thread. If you don’t have any neighborhood suggestions for me that’s fine, please just move on.

[Smushums101]

Originally Posted by Angus215

A good neighborhood for you could be the Art Museum/Fairmount area, where you would have access to Fairmount Park, the Schuylkill River Trail, and Paine's Skate Park. Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill could also be good possibilities, which are have more of a small town feel and are near Wissahickon Park.

Thank you for your thoughts! After some looking I am definitely considering the Chestnut hill/ Mount Airy areas. I see some decent apartments that I could afford and Wissahickon park looks like a perfect place to take walks.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by Parnassia

Why would your beverage preference have that much to do with where you want to live? AFAIK you can still order water off the menu in any bar, club, or restaurant. No one is going to require you to step foot in any bar. The other parameters such as cost of living, your budget, neighborhood atmosphere or diversity, crime, the commute to your job, accessibility to services are all much more important.

This was a light question added to the end of the quiz as a way to get to know new participants.

[Smushums101]

Originally Posted by KansastoSouthphilly

You should probably move to Mt. Airy. I would look around the area near Carpenters woods. It is not a big drinking neighborhood but it is not entirely families either. I don't have kids and am happy living here. You will have easy access to much of the metro, and easy access to the enormous wissahickon/fairmount park. The neighborhood itself is very leafy and generally peaceful. It is proudly known as a hippy neighborhood. Don't know anything about skate parks though. You would have to travel to get to that. You aren't expecting much for your budget so it should be easy to find a place at or below your prices range.

Alternatively you might like the part of West Philadelphia near Clark Park. It is also very leafy. There are a lot of undergraduates in the area though so you might not like that though it might matter less in the summer. I recommend this behind Mt. Airy because it is busier and noisier and you seem anxious about that. Less access to trails and nature (Clark Park is just a well loved neighborhood park). Good luck!

Thanks so much for your thoughts! I’m definitely going to look at these areas. Your description of Mt Airy is very on par with what I’m looking for. I like your use of leafy as a descriptor. Also, the clark park area will be a good comparison to speak over with my husband- it is very central to many of the skateparks in the area. I suppose it depends how much I want to dive straight into the city haha

[skintreesnail]

The only skate park I know of is paine's park right next to the art museum overlooking the Schuylkill (I think I've seen one under 95 in FDR park as well?). So Fairmount might be a good fit. It's a quiet and safe neighborhood and you'll also be right by Fairmount Park, which isn't as natural/woodsy feeling as Wissahickon, but still very beautiful.

Mt. Airy or chestnut hill also should be considered as others said. Lots of trees and right next to the Wissahickon. Maybe Manayunk/east falls area as well, which puts you on the Schuylkill and close to Wissahickon. All of these neighborhoods have train lines as well.

[Flyers Girl]

Originally Posted by Parnassia

Why would your beverage preference have that much to do with where you want to live? AFAIK you can still order water off the menu in any bar, club, or restaurant. No one is going to require you to step foot in any bar. The other parameters such as cost of living, your budget, neighborhood atmosphere or diversity, crime, the commute to your job, accessibility to services are all much more important.

That's just one of the questions on the standard template for people looking to move here. Great first impression of Philly with this being the first response he gets in the thread.

To the OP: My first thought when you said "Bob Marley types" was Mt. Airy, which others have already suggested. I think you'll likely find what you're looking for there. Good luck and welcome to Philly!