Advice for a major, sporadic relocation to the Philly metro area (Philadelphia: apartment, rent)

[pixelcouture]

When are you moving? We'd like to move sometime between now and February
Where are you coming from? Birmingham, AL
Why are you moving? Change of environment, would like to live in a larger city
Where will you be working? Not sure yet, but I know I’d eventually like to do something involving theatrical makeup/makeup artistry.
Have you been here yet? No

Will you buy or rent? Rent
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? Either, but in this order - townhouse, loft, apartment. Since we don't know what our incomes will be yet, or our jobs, for that matter, we don't think we could spend more than $800 a month, although this will ultimately depend on what our incomes will be. Either high rise or walk up is fine.

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married, no children
Do you have pets? No
Do you want or need a yard? Would be nice, but it isn't a priority.
Are you keeping a car? We haven't really decided, but it could go either way depending on our eventual situation.
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? I'd like to be close to activity, but would prefer to live in a quieter place.

What do you want to be closest to?
In this order:
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.)
Train or subway stations
Work
Shopping
Nightlife

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? We'd really prefer diversity, since we are an interracial couple.

More about our situation: This is a sporadic relocation. We don't have any real reason to make this move, except for the fact that we want to get out of our comfort zone and live in a larger, more progressive city. We've considered NY and MA, but the cost of living in Philly seemeS closer to where we live now. We don't have jobs/housing lined up just yet (since we don't know exactly where we'll be), but if we wait for the "perfect" time to go, I don't think it'll ever happen.

We’d like to live in a nice neighborhood, but it doesn’t have to be very upscale. We don’t mind if we aren’t exactly in Philly, but an area where public transportation is easily accessible is important (we just want out of Alabama, you see ). We’re really into the arts, theater; an area with a lot of culture would put us right in our element. Other than a cousin who lives somewhere in jersey, we don't know anyone there or really have any connections. Any advice for a couple flying by the seat of their pants (other than telling us how foolish this is )? Has anyone ever done anything like this before?

I apologize in advance for any typos or run-on sentences, I’m typing on my cell phone! Thanks in advance!

[orrmobl]

In this economy, coming from AL where the cost of living is lower to Philly where the housing prices have stayed steady, I really wouldn't recommend you do this...if you had said $1000 a month it would be fine but $800 *maybe* really is not going to get you much. Why not try a Midwestern city instead? Cost of living is MUCH better, heck have you considered Pittsburgh?

That being said, try the "up and coming" ie rougher sections of the city like Fishtown, maybe Port Richmond, Powelton Village or somewhere near University City, maybe the area of North Philly directly above Girard Ave. Bear in mind some of these aren't great but they are affordable. Also maybe Collingswood NJ or Pennsauken if proximity to the city is paramount.

Otherwise check out Lansdowne, Drexel Hill, Havertown. Not much of an art scene but lots of public transportation, nice architecture, amenities, affordable, avoid paying additional city wage tax and are close to the city.

Good Luck!

[solibs]

Arts & culture in the Philly area are, for the most part, in and around Center City. There are a few theaters/production companies in the suburbs but you won't find the concentration you do in the city.

If you have a few months rent saved up and would be willing to take the first job that came along before you found something to your liking i'd say, "go for it". Otherwise i'd work on the job prospects first and use your cousin's address.

$800 a month in decent city neighborhoods is possible as long as you don't mind a walk-up apartment. You'll find big one bedrooms and even some two bedrooms in South Philly. Between Girard Ave. and Washington Ave. would be ideal but if you're south of Washington concentrate on the area between 8th & 16th Streets.

You might find similar deals in West Philly and for that I'd stick to the area between Walnut & Baltimore out to about 48th St.

Fishtown and Port Richmond are decent neighborhoods but being the couple that you are you might feel a little uncomfortable landing yourselves in an unintegrated, white, working class neighborhood. West and South Philly are a lot more multicultural.

[ooodsie]

Check pennsport or queens village.. You could get a 1 bedroom townhome for your price range.

[serpent_of_old]

all the above are great suggestions
if you want a little more disposable income and stay feeling a little more connected to things, which sounds like why you are moving, i would suggest in this order
-south philly, preferably on broad street or just east of broad, north of snyder ave
-northern liberties...i think is the total package of what you are looking for. you are in the action but you have all the quiet you want
-university city is ok, but it functions like a small town. while close to center city, i think it would be counterproductive for you intentions

[loose cannon]

Im on the other end of the spectrum but encourage you in your journey. Philadelphia is a decent city. You can really have fun there and accomplish things professionally as well. I would definitely recoomend South Philly. The Northeast Moderator Remix: Caucasian Gangsta Posers? as I call them will not take too kindly to Southerners and they will talk behind your back.

[orrmobl]

They just said on CNN that people should not put their job or money at risk these days...quitting jobs you have to move to another city in hopes of finding jobs in a recession seems pretty darn risky to me...just don't do it...

[loose cannon]

Originally Posted by orrmobl

They just said on CNN that people should not put their job or money at risk these days...quitting jobs you have to move to another city in hopes of finding jobs in a recession seems pretty darn risky to me...just don't do it...

The heck with CNN. People's spiritual happiness is the issue. It can be done and I hope to do it too.

[loose cannon]

Originally Posted by loose cannon

Im on the other end of the spectrum but encourage you in your journey. Philadelphia is a decent city. You can really have fun there and accomplish things professionally as well. I would definitely recoomend South Philly. The Northeast Moderator Remix: Caucasian Gangsta Posers? as I call them will not take too kindly to Southerners and they will talk behind your back.

Good one! I thank You and will now use this term.

[orrmobl]

Originally Posted by loose cannon

The heck with CNN. People's spiritual happiness is the issue. It can be done and I hope to do it too.

When you find a way to live in and eat that spiritual happiness, please be sure to let me know.