Visiting, planning to move to Philly and looking for "hip" section of town (Philadelphia: apartment, rental)

[sandwiche]

I would like to live in an urban neighborhood where the residents lean to left politically and where a younger, mobile crowd can be found. I don't mind living in a somewhat "sketchy" part of town (I need a cheap rent!) I would prefer to live where some local eateries and grocery stores are in walking distance, though. What are my options in Philadelphia?

It very important for me to move to a city where I can live without a car and depend on getting around on my bike or using public transportation. Does Philadelphia's city planning provide for such a lifestyle? How effective is SEPTA?

And, what're arts and culture like in Philadelphia and does it compare to the offerings of Chicago?

Also, I am planning on visiting with friends soon and would like to know what the best parts of town for non-touristy nightlife are?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Hillrunner]

You should look around N.Broad and susquehanna.It fits exactly what your looking for.

[newmarlig]

Originally Posted by Hillrunner

You should look around N.Broad and susquehanna.It fits exactly what your looking for.

Huh???? To the OP - DO NOT MOVE THERE. Try South Philly (Passyunk Square would be good)

Passyunk Square, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You will be close to the subway and to center city. As for SEPTA being dependable - we would need to know where you are working.

[bryson662001]

OMG you are going to love Philly. The place is infested with people just like you.

[solibs]

there are hundreds of threads here that explain all that - ask a specific question.

[owl215]

northern liberties

next!

[FindingZen]

How "cheap" is your rental range? You may be okay with Fishtown which is above Northern Liberties and Old City, two areas where you'll find the nightlife and young crowd you're looking for. You may like Rittenhouse Square as well but the rents and some of the residents may be beyond your preferred range.

And yes, you can mostly get around without a car if you're working in the Center City area (to which the above neighborhoods are in or near) but if you have to commute out towards the edges or the 'burbs, it could become more complicated.

Also meant to say that culturally Philly may be on par with Chicago. However, Chi-town appears to have "two" downtowns - The Gold Coast and the Loop? - while Center City's two square miles is the business and cultural hub of Philly. But then, Chicago is the "capital" of the Midwest.

[Shino306]

I'd say all of Center City minus Society Hill, Wash Sq, and Rittenhouse (for rent purposes) meets your criteria.
Downtown Philly has appears to have a younger crowd and is very liberal...they have a "gayborhood," which should say a lot. There are a ton of local eateries (Philly doesn't have a lot of chain restaurants) and you basically have to walk every where, including to the grocery store as owning a car in the city is highly impractical and expensive.
As far as comparing the arts and culture of Philly to Chicago: the two towns have a very different vibe, however it all depends on what you're into.
I could be wrong about this, but I also think Chicago's downtown, when taking into account the loop and Gold Coast areas is bigger than Philly's.
Philly is also laid out on a grid, so it's difficult to get lost, the SEPTA subways run pretty frequently but are laid out to run along specific roads (Market & Broad) so I think the Els are more convienent as far as accessing Chicago itself.
Good Luck with your move.

[sandwiche]

Originally Posted by Tone509

How "cheap" is your rental range? You may be okay with Fishtown which is above Northern Liberties and Old City, two areas where you'll find the nightlife and young crowd you're looking for. You may like Rittenhouse Square as well but the rents and some of the residents may be beyond your preferred range.

Well, I currently live in a small, southern city and pay 625 for a two bedroom, which I split with a roommate. We live in what some would term the ghetto (crackheads knocking on our door daily) so rents are fairly cheap in the area. I've never lived above the Mason-Dixon so I'm not quite sure how rents compare.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by sandwiche

Well, I currently live in a small, southern city and pay 625 for a two bedroom, which I split with a roommate. We live in what some would term the ghetto (crackheads knocking on our door daily) so rents are fairly cheap in the area. I've never lived above the Mason-Dixon so I'm not quite sure how rents compare.

If $625 is the total that you and your current roommate pay, you'll be in for a bit of sticker shock coming to Philly... or most other major Northeastern cities, for that matter. You can count on paying at least that amount for a one-bedroom in most moderately desirable places.

Given your current experience, I'd also suggest University City, just west of Center City. Not because it's "ghetto" but because it's a relatively affordable area with lots happening just off the U. of Penn. campus with a lot of character/grit further away. Look into renting an apartment in a building or home west of 43rd St., east of 48th, south of Walnut St. and north of Springfield Ave.