Newlywed Couple moving from Boston area to Philly, need help on neighborhoods! (Bethlehem: apartments, to rent)

[NahlaPerez]

So, my now-husband and I will be relocating to Philly in December mainly because its the only city in which we both got good job offers.

We're looking to rent for less than $9000/month. I know you're gonna suggest we buy, but we have MAJOR student loan debt and essentially zero savings. Eventually we're gonna buy.


We're both 32. We're true blue city people, He's from Chicago and I'm from NYC. Ideally we're looking for somewhere energetic, young and hip. We love art, music and public parks.

A couple issues: We're both Black and don't want to be the only brown people in the neighborhood. From what I've heard Philly is a pretty segregated city.

He's gonna be working @ Lincoln Financial Field and part time at Temple Hospital. He's also going to be traveling occasionally to Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. I'm working completely at UPenn's hospital.

A neighborhood with a short commute to all of those places (not so much Lehigh) that fits our personality is what we're looking for. I know its a lot to ask.

Any ideas?

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by NahlaPerez

We're looking to rent for less than $9000/month.

I assume you mean $900/month instead of $9000?

Assuming you only need a 1B, I'd suggest University City. It's convenient to all three city locations, especially to HUP (Penn). The neighborhoods of UC house and attract a broad spectrum of people. Thirtysomething professionals would probably want to stay west of 43rd to avoid Penn students. You may particularly like the condos and apartments around Spruce and Pine between 47th and 48th Streets. Being city people, you'll probably be prepared for the somewhat transitional neighborhoods west of 48th.

[Drayb3]

Queen Village and Bella Vista are both great neighborhoods. I live in Queen Village and pay $750 a month for a 1br apartment. I feel much safer there than University City, as there is no abrupt transition to some bad neighborhoods.

[DesireeSky]

Philly is not very segregated! Maybe the suburbs are, but not anywhere in the city! The problem is that even in certain neighborhoods, good areas and bad areas can be the difference of just walking from one black to the next. I suggest you look on Craigslist and find what's affordable and looks good and then ask on here if that's a good neighborhood for what you're looking for. I can highly suggest not bothering with North Philly though. (northeast and northwest are ok)

[orrmobl]

Northern Liberties - artsy, liberal, diverse, young, hip, perfect!

[solibs]

Originally Posted by NahlaPerez

A couple issues: We're both Black and don't want to be the only brown people in the neighborhood. From what I've heard Philly is a pretty segregated city.

You do realize now that this is silly, uninformed and insulting for several reasons, right?

You've gotten good advice so far although I would suggest expanding your search a bit as you'll most likely be taking the subway or trolley to your places of employment

Check out West Philly in the area between Market St. and Springfield Ave. out to about 50th St.

Also, South Philly between 10th & 17th between Washington and Snyder.

[kimrocktherealtor]

Originally Posted by Tone509

I assume you mean $900/month instead of $9000?

Damn, if she did mean 9k she really should be considering buying instead! Hah.

[NahlaPerez]

Yeah, we meant 9k. I guess thats a bit out of range for Philly (like I'm said, I'm from NYC). The income is there for us to buy but we have major debt (like six figures) we want to pay down first. Would this mean all of the city was available to us?

I didn't meant to insult Philly, I was just basing my statement on what friends from Philly have told me.

And...If we were looking for $900, I'd doubt we'd have to worry about being the only brown people on the block.

[NahlaPerez]

So, I did some searching and Philly doesn't really have much close to our budget. Didn't realize the cost of living would be so much lower.

I found something interesting in "Rittenhouse" in Center City, but in my head Center City Philly =Midtown NYC. Loud and tourist infested.

I really need to visit Philly soon, this is too confusing long distance.

[danwxman]

Originally Posted by NahlaPerez

So, I did some searching and Philly doesn't really have much close to our budget. Didn't realize the cost of living would be so much lower.

I found something interesting in "Rittenhouse" in Center City, but in my head Center City Philly =Midtown NYC. Loud and tourist infested.

I really need to visit Philly soon, this is too confusing long distance.

Rittenhouse also includes the more quiet, residential areas west of 21st street. That sounds like a great location for you. This area is also sometimes called Fitler Square. Very convenient to University City and a short walk to Rittenhouse square and all the Center City attractions.