Can I live in Philly with this job offer? (Allentown: 2013, apartment)

[phillyteacher2012]

Hello!
I am a 28 year old female. I have been teaching (and living) in Allentown for 5 years. I just recently got a job offer for the fall (2012-2013 school year). In Allentown, I pay $770 for a rather junky 1 bedroom apartment in the 1st floor of a rowhome. I'm pretty sure the upstairs neighbors are dealing. But, the price includes electric, heat, water and sewer and has a washer and dryer in the basement! I don't like my job, so this offer is very tempting. But, I want to know that I will be able to live in a decent neighborhood (obviously, I don't need shiny suburbs)

Current Situation:
$50,000/year
Union deductions and Medical insurance co-pays are taken out of each paycheck (about $80 total every two weeks)
$770/month rent
Am bored by the city- I feel like we have city problems without city benefits (restaraunts, nightlife, parks, etc.)

Job Offer:
$52,000 base pay (bonus of $1,000 possible)
No union dues or medical insurance co-pays
Two possible locations: Fairmont or Tacony section of Philly

What I would like in an apartment:
-1 bedroom
-walkable neighborhood (I prefer walking to a supermarket several times a week for fresh food over driving to a store)
-Not a bad commute to either Fairmont or Tacony
-Easy access to Public Transportation
-I also work at all home Eagles' games, so if there's a decent way to get to the stadium, that would be nice


I don't know Philly very well. I plan on spending most of Sunday driving various neighborhoods checking out the scene, but a little background info would be nice.

[Lenses & Lights.]

Yes, if you choose to live in the Fairmount section you could land something decent for around 900-1200 monthly depending on what type of apartment you'd like to live in.

[RightonWalnut]

There are plenty of areas for you to live. What is the price you are willing to spend to rent an apartment? For $1200 a month you can find a nice apartment pretty much anywhere in the city, even in Center City.

[frankgn87]

Originally Posted by Summersm343

There are plenty of areas for you to live. What is the price you are willing to spend to rent an apartment? For $1200 a month you can find a nice apartment pretty much anywhere in the city, even in Center City.

Exactly....

[phillyteacher2012]

I would prefer $900-$1000/month for rent.
I've been drawn to the Queen Village section of Philly after reading a ton of other posts on here. But after a few hours on Craigslist, I'm thinking I'll either have to spend more money or get a roomate.

[templeu]

Originally Posted by phillyteacher2012

I would prefer $900-$1000/month for rent.
I've been drawn to the Queen Village section of Philly after reading a ton of other posts on here. But after a few hours on Craigslist, I'm thinking I'll either have to spend more money or get a roomate.

Or go a few blocks south to Pennsport; southwest to Passyunk Sq.

[phillyteacher2012]

Thanks!

[jtom605]

Since you brought up Tacony and no else posted anything about it, I'll give you some information on the neighborhood. In your price range, you could probably get 3-room rental, so there's nothing to worry about price-wise. At the moment, Tacony seems to be block-by-block, some are well-kept and others are a bit trashy. Generally, the farther North the better. It's a pretty safe neighborhood, but it's definitely been on the decline along with other lower Northeast neighborhoods.

To be honest, with your price range, you can probably get a nice apartment in a better location.

[phillyteacher2012]

Tacony is where one of the schools are. I didn't plan on living there. Thanks for the insight! It's all greatly appreciated.

[RightonWalnut]

Queen Village is a really popular spot right now, you may have a hard to getting a place. Check out the Pennsport, Passyunk Square and East Passyunk Crossing neighborhoods.