Center City, Bryn Mawr, South Philly, Rittenhouse...what's right for me? (Philadelphia: rent, crime)

[alaybour]

I will be graduating in May and am thinking about moving to Philadelphia. I plan to find a career in Interior Design/Textiles and Merchandising/Purchasing/Apparel/etc.. I am 24, and probably moving with another woman my age. We are interested in dating and men, nightlife, restaurants, cofee shops, museums, and culture in general. I have visited Philadelphia five times, each for a week at a time, and I loved the feeling of the city. I love the energy and the vibrancy that I feel in Center City. I also liked the more laid back feeling of the suburbs on the Main Line like Bryn Mawr and Wayne. I also have a thing for Rittenhouse (the shops and restaurants). Even South Philly is an option to me. I am willing to live in a high-rise, or a brownstone, or anything in the middle. I am really open to anything right now. As far as public transportation, it is a must, and preferably within walking distance (obviously). One more thing, I have two dogs, a greyhound and a chihuahua. Are there more dog-friendly areas?

[jlevinson]

I have two dogs and live in Rittenhouse square it is very dog friendly, and a big park. Also a few blocks away are two dog parks, one for big dogs, one for small dogs , they can be off leash there and it is about a five miunte walk from rittenhouse sq. to Phillyfido.net - Home of the Schuylkill River Park Dog Owners Association. I have lived in all of the above except south philly and rittenhouse would be my choice, more expensive, but well worth it.

[brooksremodeling]

While all the areas you mention are great and have many upsides i would suggest you explore the close suburbs eg. delaware county, which is only minutes from downtown and offers great parking and lower living expenses.

Downtown philly is a nice place to visit, but you don't want to live there. every neighborhood, at any given time can have a bunch of yahoos going through, that don't respect the residents which can lead to some major inconvience at the least and worse.

South philly -TOOOO NOISY if you like a little peace, I would suggest elsewhere.

I have been a building contractor in all the areas you write of for over 25 years, so I know the areas well


Of course bryn mawr is great , but expect to spend a significant amount to live

[orrmobl]

If you can afford Rittenhouse Square, go for it...basically if you want to live in the city, live in the most affluent area you can as that should cut back on some of the crime risk and other nonsense mentioned above...

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by alaybour

I will be graduating in May and am thinking about moving to Philadelphia. I plan to find a career in Interior Design/Textiles and Merchandising/Purchasing/Apparel/etc.. I am 24, and probably moving with another woman my age. We are interested in dating and men, nightlife, restaurants, cofee shops, museums, and culture in general. I have visited Philadelphia five times, each for a week at a time, and I loved the feeling of the city. I love the energy and the vibrancy that I feel in Center City. I also liked the more laid back feeling of the suburbs on the Main Line like Bryn Mawr and Wayne. I also have a thing for Rittenhouse (the shops and restaurants). Even South Philly is an option to me. I am willing to live in a high-rise, or a brownstone, or anything in the middle. I am really open to anything right now. As far as public transportation, it is a must, and preferably within walking distance (obviously). One more thing, I have two dogs, a greyhound and a chihuahua. Are there more dog-friendly areas?

I'd predict that with your career interests, you'd be working downtown. Rittenhouse Square and the rest of Center City is the epicenter of nightlife in Philly. Two 24YO ladies would do well to travel together, perhaps meet some male buddies to escort them around, and otherwise use common sense and street wisdom that is useful when getting to know any larger urban area.

If you can afford an apt in Center City, you can probably afford one in Bryn Mawr. It's definitely more laid-back but there are things to do in Bryn Mawr, Wayne and even Ardmore.

I'm not so knowledgeable as others here on the ascendancy of South Philly as a 20something option. I will say that South Philly encompasses a huge area. Queen Village, Bella Vista and Pennsport may be among the more upscale neighborhoods as they're near Center City. The Passyunk (PASSY-yunk) Avenue corridor seems to be becoming increasingly popular as well.

Good luck!

[rainrock]

Id also recommend Center City, amazing place but keep in mind you are in an urban enviornement and vigilance must be used.. Rittenhouse, Art Museum Soceity Hill,Old City neighborhoods. Urban Outfitters has their HQ's in Philadelphia and your interests/qualifications sound perfect for them.

Good luck

[kyle19125]

I'd recommend Bella Vista (between South Street to the north..stay north of Christian on the south...6th Street on the east, and 11th Street on the west). It's not as expensive as Center City per se (or Rittenhouse), you're walking distance to everything you need...an amazing restaurant neighborhood (some of the best in the city), great little non-scene neighborhood bars, you're around the corner from Fabric Row...the area has been under revitalization for awhile and it's full of people similar to yourself. I have two single female friends who live there, and they love it.

[eggtimer]

also check out the graduate hospital area (or southwest center city). it's slightly cheaper than other center city neighborhoods/rittenhouse, but still walkable to rittenhouse and very convenient to university city area (whenever they reopen the south street bridge). i imagine opportunities in your fields of work would either be in center city or u. city/west philly.

[ajb842]

Considering your career aspirations, if you can afford, I would suggest living in the nicest area of CC you can. My mother is a wedding planner and her knowledge of the city, particularly for venues, has greatly increased due to her familiarity with CC. Her office is at home currently, but she is looking to move it to a CC location as most of her clients want CC weddings. That being said, much of what a young interior designer might want in clients and opportunities will be in CC. Just a reminder-it is expensive and parking is difficult. I would not suggest getting a car right away unless you know that where you will be renting will offer parking or at least discounted parking. We have Phillycarshare here which is growing in popularity. You can use a car if you need to meet clients out of the city but simply return it when you're done. However, don't limit yourself only to rittenhouse sq(which is awesome). Check out old city, logan square,art museum area, possibly even the waterfront. It gets you in the area with more opportunity for parking if necessary and a little bit more affordable rent. But even with rent prices, it all depends. If you can tough it out in a tiny apt you might be able to find a gem. Good luck!

[gfspeople]

Fairmount is very dog friendly and young!