Relocate to Philly (Philadelphia, York: apartments, rental, condos)

[Rangers2008]

Hi All,
Was wondering if anyone can tell me some good areas in Philly. My fiance and I would like to relocate from New York to Phildelphia in about a year or so. Can afford about 200,000-300,000 for a house or townhouse. How are the schools, job market etc.? Thanks in advance for the help!

[bryson662001]

Originally Posted by Rangers2008

Hi All,
Was wondering if anyone can tell me some good areas in Philly. My fiance and I would like to relocate from New York to Phildelphia in about a year or so. Can afford about 200,000-300,000 for a house or townhouse. How are the schools, job market etc.? Thanks in advance for the help!

Are you interested in an urban or suburban lifestyle? Are you coming from NYC metro or somewhere else in New York state? If you were to stay in NY, what would be your ideal community/neighborhood there? What are your job skills/experience?

[Boompa]

Where will you be working. If not in the city you can avoid the city wage tax by living outside the city, etc.

[Rangers2008]

Originally Posted by bryson662001

Are you interested in an urban or suburban lifestyle? Are you coming from NYC metro or somewhere else in New York state? If you were to stay in NY, what would be your ideal community/neighborhood there? What are your job skills/experience?

We currently live in Long Island, (suburbs) We would definitly like to live in the city. We would love to live in the city here, but we cannot afford it. I am a medical secretary and my fiance works in the IT field. Thanks

[Rangers2008]

Originally Posted by Boompa

Where will you be working. If not in the city you can avoid the city wage tax by living outside the city, etc.

Hopefully can find a job in the city, also would love to live in the city. Nothing could be worse than NY taxes!!!!

[bryson662001]

Originally Posted by Rangers2008

We currently live in Long Island, (suburbs) We would definitly like to live in the city. We would love to live in the city here, but we cannot afford it. I am a medical secretary and my fiance works in the IT field. Thanks

Philadelphia's core, which is called Center City covers about two square miles and has about 100,000 residents living mostly in high rise apartment buildings or walk up brownstone apartments around the edges. If buying your budget won't cover more than a one bedroom in Center City. There is a neighborhood just to the north east of Center City called Northern Liberties where you might find a house. Much further to the Norteast within city limits there are many neighborhoos like ones you would find in Queens where you could get a lot of house for that money. use www.realtor.com with these zips for some ideas. 19103,19102,19107,19106 for Center City. Use 19125,19123 for Northern Liberties, Use 19135 for a more afordable Queens type neighborhood. use 19136 for a more upscale Queens type neighborhood. There are also large areas of South Philly that are nice and afordable like 19145. For rental apartments use www.4wallsinphilly.com When the time comes...Philadelphia public schools are for the most part non-functional and city dwellers who are serious about educating their children use private or catholic schools or they move to the suburbs. i don't know that much about the job situation although i guess it's rough all over. The medical professions and hospitals are very big employers here.

[Rangers2008]

Thanks so much for your help !

[I'd love to travel]

Forget 19135

[Max America]

If your price range is 200-300k you can forget center city, look at south philly 19147, 19148, or northern liberties 19123. Both areas are more affordable and close to center city.

[solibs]

South Philly - I'd say about 90% of 19147 is good (and most of it getting expensive), 70% of 19145 is good, 50% of 19148 and the half of 19146 worth living in will be stretching your $300k.

Northern Liberties at 19123 is good but for that price you'll probably just be looking at condos there. Fishtown is cheaper at 19125.

You also might find something decent in 19143 (Spruce Hill/Cedar Park) for around $300k

A bit further out you can check 19128 and 19129 (Roxborough and East Falls)
19119 (Mt. Airy) and 19144 (parts of Germantown and East Falls) are worth a look.

Keep in mind that these zips can cover rather large swaths of the city so some parts are good and some not so good. For instance, if you see a bunch of houses in 19146 for $500k then you see a few for $60k . . . it should be clear that it's the bad part of the zip.