Why you should live in Philadelphia (house, neighborhood, buying)

[gfspeople]

Are there any reasons that you should live in Philadelphia? Please comment

[lititzman2003]

My brother in law moved back to Philly last summer after several years in Bucks County because the taxes are lower. Not sure what method he used to crunch the numbers but the guy is extremely financially conservative so I know he did his homework.

[juniperbleu]

Originally Posted by lititzman2003

My brother in law moved back to Philly last summer after several years in Bucks County because the taxes are lower. Not sure what method he used to crunch the numbers but the guy is extremely financially conservative so I know he did his homework.

It depends on the suburb, but my parents' taxes are drastically lower than what they would be if they lived just a few blocks away in Cheltenham.

As far as another reason to live in Philadelphia? I don't like suburbs. They're great places and perfect for a lot of people, but I prefer a more urban setting.

[lititzman2003]

I know in my case we moved too far away from Philly and found out we miss the simplest things. When the Phillies won last October there was barely a whimper from anyone out here. I'm literally bouncing off the ceiling and there was no one around to share my pleasure with. I think the real tough part is, that if you're born in Philly or have spent most of your childhood there you put roots down and it's not easy to pull them up. In most cases when you move you leave family behind, and that can be difficult to deal with.

[Just1Lion]

Originally Posted by lititzman2003

My brother in law moved back to Philly last summer after several years in Bucks County because the taxes are lower. Not sure what method he used to crunch the numbers but the guy is extremely financially conservative so I know he did his homework.

wouldnt paying the city wage tax kind of cancel out paying lower property taxes? even the far NE where it is more suburban, it just doesnt seem right that residents of that area have to pay the city wage tax. viva la liberty county!

[orrmobl]

For younger or older singles or couples without school-aged kids, it's great. For families? Fughettaboutit.

[treeluvr]

One good reason to live in the city--exercise. I used to walk everywhere. Moved to the suburbs, bought a car--getting fatter!

[john_starks]

Originally Posted by lititzman2003

I know in my case we moved too far away from Philly and found out we miss the simplest things. When the Phillies won last October there was barely a whimper from anyone out here. I'm literally bouncing off the ceiling and there was no one around to share my pleasure with.

yeah, that was great. after the last pitch i ran up to my roofdeck to listen to the people screaming, cars honking and fireworks. it was fun, but there was no way in hell i was heading over to braod street.

For younger or older singles or couples without school-aged kids, it's great. For families? Fughettaboutit

ha! yeah, i see a lot of young families with toddlers right now, but i can't help to think that 99% of them will miraculously disappear in the next few years.....and probably be replaced with another young couple w/ toddlers

[juniperbleu]

Originally Posted by Just1Lion

wouldnt paying the city wage tax kind of cancel out paying lower property taxes?

Not always. Sometimes, yes, but when my cousins were looking for a similarly sized/priced house in Cheltenham their property taxes were a good $8000 more than what my parents pay (I'd quote exact prices, but I don't remember). My parents viewed it as a tradeoff: pay the money in property taxes and send your kid to public school, or save the taxes and put your kid in Catholic/private school. Either way you ended up paying it anyway, just changed where you sent the check. For us, it worked since we all love the house and it has a special significance to us as well (it's also where my mother grew up, and my father grew up not too far away).

[lititzman2003]

Originally Posted by Just1Lion

wouldnt paying the city wage tax kind of cancel out paying lower property taxes? even the far NE where it is more suburban, it just doesnt seem right that residents of that area have to pay the city wage tax. viva la liberty county!

That's what I thought, too! He's single and works in Montco. Trust me, he planned his move very carefully and the dollar bill determined where he was going to live. He spent hours weighing the cost of utilities as well, although I don't know how buying gas from PGW is considered cost effective. He might move again if the city increases the property tax and starts charging for other things like trash removal, etc.

Another reason for living in Philly is receiving a house from a deceased relative. Some people have good memories of growing up in a particular neighborhood and want to build on those memories, plus there's no mortgage!

Personally, I"ve found Philadelphians to be really good people. They don't have much but they take care of their property and always seem to come through for others.