Moving to Philly - Questions Answered - Suggestions are great (Darby: apartment, to rent)

[QueenzGurl]

Hi everyone, I am really excited about my move. Here my answers, any suggestions?

When are you moving? July
Where are you coming from? Jamaica Queens NY
Why are you moving? I need a lower cost of living
Where will you be working? I'm not sure yet
Have you been here yet? nope, I am visiting this week

Will you buy or rent? rent
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend?
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend? Anyone will do. However, I don't want to spend more than $900
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up? Neither, I don't want to live above anyone because i have 3 small children.

Are you married or single? single Do you have children? 3
Do you prefer public or private schools? public
Do you have pets? No
Do you want or need a yard? That would be great but it is not needed
Are you keeping a car? No
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? I like activity if it is good activity. I also like the quiet.

What do you want to be closest to?
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.)
Train or subway stationsWork
Shopping
In that particular order

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? Diversity is good. I am not picky as long as everyone is accepting.
Coke or Pepsi? I just can't choose. When I want something strong I go for Pepsi. When I want something calm, I go for Coke

[Tone509]

It looks like you're planning to remain a "city gurl".

My first thought would be that there are some South Philly neighborhoods that might be appropriate. Generally speaking, some neighborhoods are more diverse and/or comfortable than others. Others here might have more specific knowledge than me. You'll have easy access to numerous buses as well as the Broad Street Subway. Hopefully you'll be able to obtain a job in Center City (downtown) or elsewhere in Philly proper as it could be a lengthy and complicated transit commute to the suburban job centers.

Philly schools overall do not have the best reputation. The highest concentration of reputable elementary schools would appear to be in or close to Center City: for example, Greenfield, Meredith, McCall. However, there can be very limited space available for those who live outside their catchment areas. In that case, I would highly recommend looking into public charter schools for any school-age children.

Originally Posted by QueenzGurl

Hi everyone, I am really excited about my move. Here my answers, any suggestions?

When are you moving? July
Where are you coming from? Jamaica Queens NY
Why are you moving? I need a lower cost of living
Where will you be working? I'm not sure yet
Have you been here yet? nope, I am visiting this week

Will you buy or rent? rent
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend?
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend? Anyone will do. However, I don't want to spend more than $900
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up? Neither, I don't want to live above anyone because i have 3 small children.

Are you married or single? single Do you have children? 3
Do you prefer public or private schools? public
Do you have pets? No
Do you want or need a yard? That would be great but it is not needed
Are you keeping a car? No
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? I like activity if it is good activity. I also like the quiet.

What do you want to be closest to?
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.)
Train or subway stationsWork
Shopping
In that particular order

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? Diversity is good. I am not picky as long as everyone is accepting.
Coke or Pepsi? I just can't choose. When I want something strong I go for Pepsi. When I want something calm, I go for Coke

[Tone509]

After re-reading your other question that I goofed the answer on, I was thinking about your other preference of University City/West Philly which, unlike South Philly, I can speak on with some personal experience.

I sometimes recommend UC (which is really part of West Philly) to people but in this case I'm kind of 50/50. I'm guessing that you're looking to rent a house for your family for $900 or less. That may actually put you outside of fairly diverse University City into West Philly proper where you'll find a combination of low-to-middle income African-American households and a quality of life that can go and up down from block to block. Unless you were living in, say, Forest Hills, you may already be famiilar with this type of environment. You may also end up outside the catchment area of Penn Alexander School in University City as well. In this case, charter schools would again be recommended.

The Cobbs Creek area, on the border of the city and Delaware County, may be the one of the more comfortable and quiet areas in far West Philly. You may even consider crossing over into Upper Darby which has a decent if not stellar school district as well as easy access to the city and fair access to some job centers in the western suburbs via the 69th Street Terminal. It's not Wisteria Lane but it may be better than much of West Philly.

[Abukar]

Hi Queenz,
For what you want to pay, it looks like you will only be able to afford the western part of South Philly. Point Breeze would probably be best for you.

[QueenzGurl]

Originally Posted by Tone509

Unless you were living in, say, Forest Hills, you may already be famiilar with this type of environment.

LOL! Actually I am from Jamaica Queens, a really nice and diverse area. I've never lived in the "ghetto" and from what I know about West Philly, outside of UC (my in law living there) it seems to be the ghetto.

Any how, it seems that for my price range I will end up in not so pleasant areas, so I may have to adjust it. I just don't want to have to pay NYC rent. You know like $1800 for a 3 Bedroom.

My in law also suggested Upper Darby.

I really do appreciate both responses, Thanks a lot!

[QueenzGurl]

Originally Posted by Abukar

Hi Queenz,
For what you want to pay, it looks like you will only be able to afford the western part of South Philly. Point Breeze would probably be best for you.

Point Breeze, well this is a new one. I would have to look into this. Thank you!

[newmarlig]

You don't want Point Breeze.

[Just1Lion]

NO on point breeze, and NO on upper darby. do some more research. you will see the trends. crime is high. QOL is low low low.

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by QueenzGurl

LOL! Actually I am from Jamaica Queens, a really nice and diverse area. I've never lived in the "ghetto" and from what I know about West Philly, outside of UC (my in law living there) it seems to be the ghetto.

Any how, it seems that for my price range I will end up in not so pleasant areas, so I may have to adjust it. I just don't want to have to pay NYC rent. You know like $1800 for a 3 Bedroom.

My in law also suggested Upper Darby.

I really do appreciate both responses, Thanks a lot!

I guess I should have read that part in your first post where it says you're from Jamaica, Queens.

$1500 might get you into some decent areas.

[QueenzGurl]

Okay wow, I am going to PA today. This will be interesting.