Moving to Philly from Southwestern Indiana (Philadelphia, Reading: apartment, to rent, neighborhoods)

[demonllama812]

Within the next two years my wife and I, are planning to move to Philadelphia from Southwestern, Indiana.

We are moving to be much closer to Reading, PA for performing arts (does this mean I have to keep my car?)

When we move I will be an EMT/EMD and my wife a nurse, we would like to be close to areas with this type of employment.

Looking to rent. I've looked a little at apartment listings but without knowing the areas I don't know if the cost is comparable to what we pay now. Possibly spend 700-900.

No kids but will probably move with two dogs that would be considered small by landlord standards.If possible we would like to be within walking, bicycle, or public transit distance to grocery (a farmer's market or hippie organic/nature food stores are great), bank, nightlife, artsy "stuff" or as close as possible. I would like to give up the car or at least NOT use it for work, errands, and fun (do not include bars in fun, sadly, we are not bar people).

A quiet area close to lots of "stuff" would be great but my only concern is that it's quiet inside the apartment.

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood?

Diversity in a neighborhood is wonderful, but one homosexual native american in a block of heterosexual latin americans does not constitute diversity.
May also entertain the idea of taking classes part time, would like to be somewhat close or the ability to reach college/university without a horrible commute.

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by demonllama812

Within the next two years my wife and I, are planning to move to Philadelphia from Southwestern, Indiana.

We are moving to be much closer to Reading, PA for performing arts (does this mean I have to keep my car?)

When we move I will be an EMT/EMD and my wife a nurse, we would like to be close to areas with this type of employment.

Looking to rent. I've looked a little at apartment listings but without knowing the areas I don't know if the cost is comparable to what we pay now. Possibly spend 700-900.

No kids but will probably move with two dogs that would be considered small by landlord standards.If possible we would like to be within walking, bicycle, or public transit distance to grocery (a farmer's market or hippie organic/nature food stores are great), bank, nightlife, artsy "stuff" or as close as possible. I would like to give up the car or at least NOT use it for work, errands, and fun (do not include bars in fun, sadly, we are not bar people).

A quiet area close to lots of "stuff" would be great but my only concern is that it's quiet inside the apartment.

Diversity in a neighborhood is wonderful, but one homosexual native american in a block of heterosexual latin americans does not constitute diversity.
May also entertain the idea of taking classes part time, would like to be somewhat close or the ability to reach college/university without a horrible commute.

Not to be funny, but I wasn't aware that Reading had a thriving performing arts community. Even so, the cultural scene in Philly is sure to have numerous more options to choose from.

Philly is known for the overall quality of its teaching hospitals. Check out Thomas Jefferson, Pennsyvania, University of Pennsylvania, Drexel (aka Hahnemman), and Graduate among others.

If you don't mind renting within a house, you may like University City, just west of Center City (aka downtown). West Mt. Airy (NW Philly) may fit the bill for you as well. These are city neighborhoods that are in or close to the types of experiences and conveniences you seem to be looking for.

[solibs]

I don't understand, are you looking to move close to Reading or close to Philly? It's no big deal, they're only about 70 miles apart so it's possible to be reasonably close to both but i'm just not sure what you're looking for.

Do you want a town in the suburbs like Ambler or are you looking for a neighborhood in the city?