Moving To Philly!!! (Philadelphia, Washington, Mifflin: apartments, rentals, houses)

[templeu]

Again, I'd recommend contacting your dpt chair or someone in your program to see if you can get into contact with other incoming or current graduate students. Other areas you might consider (within Phila boundaries) are Mount Airy, East Falls, or Manayunk. You could also look at Conshohocken (which is out of the Phila border).

Will you be working in Phila? I'm not familiar with all of the rules of the wage tax, but if you're on a tight budget the wage tax is definitely something you should familiarize yourself with. Basically in Philly, there is a tax on your wages. If you work in Philly and live outside of Philly you pay one rate (3.5% of your wages, I think), but if you live in Philly you have 3.9% of your wages taxed regardless of where you work. So, if you intend to work outside of the Philly border and your budget is tight, you might think about living just outside of Philly to avoid the tax. If you're working in Philly - then it won't matter, you're paying the tax anyway.

[NewWay4me]

Originally Posted by templeu

Again, I'd recommend contacting your dpt chair or someone in your program to see if you can get into contact with other incoming or current graduate students. Other areas you might consider (within Phila boundaries) are Mount Airy, East Falls, or Manayunk. You could also look at Conshohocken (which is out of the Phila border).

Will you be working in Phila? I'm not familiar with all of the rules of the wage tax, but if you're on a tight budget the wage tax is definitely something you should familiarize yourself with. Basically in Philly, there is a tax on your wages. If you work in Philly and live outside of Philly you pay one rate (3.5% of your wages, I think), but if you live in Philly you have 3.9% of your wages taxed regardless of where you work. So, if you intend to work outside of the Philly border and your budget is tight, you might think about living just outside of Philly to avoid the tax. If you're working in Philly - then it won't matter, you're paying the tax anyway.

I am working in philadelphia, and I will definitely contact the chair in my dept. And I saw a mount airy apts weren't sure if that was in the good zone or not but I'm making a trip in march to look around. Everyone say its to early to look but I don't wanna be looking like boo boo the fool when that time comes.

[pman]

Originally Posted by NewWay4me

I am working in philadelphia, and I will definitely contact the chair in my dept. And I saw a mount airy apts weren't sure if that was in the good zone or not but I'm making a trip in march to look around. Everyone say its to early to look but I don't wanna be looking like boo boo the fool when that time comes.

the train runs much more infrequently than the subway offpeak. I'd stick with the subway if possible.

[NewWay4me]

Originally Posted by pman

the train runs much more infrequently than the subway offpeak. I'd stick with the subway if possible.

Are you talking about in the Mount Airy area?? I think Ill be living in that area.

[Marius Pontmercy]

Originally Posted by NewWay4me

Are you talking about in the Mount Airy area?? I think Ill be living in that area.

The subway doesn't service the Mount Airy neighborhood. You'd have to take the train in that case. If you can synchronize your schedule to the train schedule then you can definitely do it. Other's of us are just lazier and like to be able to take the subway at any random time. Although, it is much more convenient. You would have to stick close to a rapid transit line though.

[NewWay4me]

Originally Posted by Marius Pontmercy

The subway doesn't service the Mount Airy neighborhood. You'd have to take the train in that case. If you can synchronize your schedule to the train schedule then you can definitely do it. Other's of us are just lazier and like to be able to take the subway at any random time. Although, it is much more convenient. You would have to stick close to a rapid transit line though.

So what other neighborhoods are close to the subway?? I think I still want the convience (sp) of getting somewhere fast and other amenities, shopping etc.

[NewWay4me]

So what Good Apts are close to the subway and yet still safe enough for me to cruise down the street.

[Marius Pontmercy]

Graduate Hospital, Bella Vista, maybe East Passyunk. Northern Liberties/Fishtown is close to the El.

[newmarlig]

There are many bus routes in Mt. Airy that go the Olney station of the Broad Street subway in about 20 minutes.

[Pennsport]

With your budget and no roomates, I suggest you look in the Whitman and South Central Philly sections of S Philly. You'll be close to Passyunk Square, which has a cool artistic vibe that you'll probably really like. You'll have easy access to all public transportation options and you'll be close to the city proper unlike then if you lived in say Mt Airy or Roxborough (both cool areas, but further out of town). You should be able to find a one bedroom apt or small trinity row home in your budget.

Another option is N. of Girard - Kensington or Fishtown.