grad student moving to philly

[newmarlig]

Originally Posted by zehua

Any safety tips??????

Just use common sense, such as don't walk down dark alleys. Things like that.

[Midg]

I am so glad that you had the where-with-all to ask for advice from someone who actually lives in the City you are considering a move to. I find that a lot responses to City questions here are posted by folks who live in the Philly burbs, and frankly most of them don't know much about the "City", and how could they, they don't live there.

I was born in Philadelphia. I grew up in North Philly (which is one of the toughest neighborhoods in the inner City). I still live in the City, but in a "different" neigborhood. One that is safer, better schools, diversity, etc.

If you are still considering a move to the Center City/Graduate area, then you have picked a great area. Over the past 10 years on so Center City (is what people in the area call our downtown) has been going through an extensive reinvention. Old abandon and boarded up homes have been transformed into new townhomes, condo, apartment units. A higher police presence keeps the streets safer for visitor and natives alike. There is an organized effect to keep the streets cleaned, and to build the city up as a cultural and art center. By living in this area you will be close to public transport, historical sites, museums, and the theater district; many within walking distance depending on where you live. Oh, I should mention amazing restaurants, clubs, and a social network of singles if you are still looking.

What disappoints me about the city (you knew it all couldn't be good), is that there is very little or no effect by City governement to clean up the areas where there are falling down homes, high crime, and a hopelessness in peoples' attitudes about life. We have a number of areas such as this (North Philly, Southwest Philly, Kensington). These are the areas that you hear about when the media is talking about murder number 50, these are the areas where the public school system stinks, these are the areas that have the highest crime rates and the least amount of police presence. Center City is where for the most part the upper crest live and work. Keep in mind however, no matter where you live you must always be alert and use common sense when out and about.

Hope this helps.

[Khmer]

Try the Penn off-campus housing site : Office of Off-Campus Living