Hello, Philadelphians, wake up: You gained like 9,000 more residents as of 7/1/12. (Penn: violent crime, home)

[FKD19124]

its curious because Philadelphia is not that much more affordable for a new college grad unless you are making six figures immediately. I am assuming its attracting the childless couples with 6 figues salaries because you need that to live in center city. Or if they have kids, they are in private schools, because philly schools are a total joke.

Originally Posted by bryson662001

First off, for a city the size of Philadelphia, 9,000 isn’t an enormous amount of people and they are easily absorbed, particularly in center city where I suspect the bulk of them landed. Cities with amenities like Philadelphia’s have always attracted young people who are just moving out on their own for the 1st time. In the past they would head for New York, but that city becomes more unaffordable every year while Philadelphia offers a comparable lifestyle but remains a bargain in comparison.

[Cnote11]

Originally Posted by FKD19124

its curious because Philadelphia is not that much more affordable for a new college grad unless you are making six figures immediately. I am assuming its attracting the childless couples with 6 figues salaries because you need that to live in center city. Or if they have kids, they are in private schools, because philly schools are a total joke.

You can easily pay around 7,000 dollars a year, utilities included, on a nice place in Center City if you split it as a couple. That's exactly what I'm doing, and there are so many places with much cheaper rent than the building I chose to live in. You certainly do not need a six figure salary whatsoever.

[FamousBlueRaincoat]

Originally Posted by FKD19124

its curious because Philadelphia is not that much more affordable for a new college grad unless you are making six figures immediately. I am assuming its attracting the childless couples with 6 figues salaries because you need that to live in center city. Or if they have kids, they are in private schools, because philly schools are a total joke.

You're really overestimating how much it can cost to live in Center City. I lived there, and we were not even halfway to six figures. Sure, there's a lot of stuff built for the wealthy - but there are a lot of dumps too, and plenty in between - which is what I went with.

[bryson662001]

Originally Posted by FamousBlueRaincoat

You're really overestimating how much it can cost to live in Center City. I lived there, and we were not even halfway to six figures. Sure, there's a lot of stuff built for the wealthy - but there are a lot of dumps too, and plenty in between - which is what I went with.

Also remember I am comparing it to NY where 7,000 won't rent a closet. Philadelphia even picked up a few born and bred NYer's who were priced out there. There is no other city in the country that offers what Philadelphia does for the same money.

[FKD19124]

What do you get for that 7 grand a year though.
As someone pointed out, what philly needs is families, not just one person or couples transplants. People who are going to raise kids here and be here for the long term.

Originally Posted by Cnote11

You can easily pay around 7,000 dollars a year, utilities included, on a nice place in Center City if you split it as a couple. That's exactly what I'm doing, and there are so many places with much cheaper rent than the building I chose to live in. You certainly do not need a six figure salary whatsoever.

[bryson662001]

Originally Posted by FKD19124

What do you get for that 7 grand a year though.
As someone pointed out, what philly needs is families, not just one person or couples transplants. People who are going to raise kids here and be here for the long term.

Exactly, and it won't happen as long as Philadelphia has too many takers and not enough givers.

[FKD19124]

True.
And I am sure its been brought up here time and time again but this list is worth repeating.

1. corrupt city government has got to go along with DROP.
2. get rid of the crippling taxes ( sale, liquor, wage and double business taxes ).
3. A better school district ( this is should be number 1. )
4. slow down section 8 housing. make landlords live within a mile of their property.

Fix 1 and 2 at least and jobs and people will come back.

Originally Posted by bryson662001

Exactly, and it won't happen as long as Philadelphia has too many takers and not enough givers.

[Charlestondata]

Originally Posted by frankgn87

9000 people in a city with over 1.5 million people is within a normal + - tolerance. It means nothing as its about 1/2 of 1%

Well it's a lot more fun to think about than losing 9,000.

[pman]

Originally Posted by FKD19124

Where in philly is this growth? And what is attracting them to philly I wonder?

I suppose you could look for the areas with new construction/renovation. those would be lower north philly, kensington, point breeze, and parts of west philly as well as center city. I get your point about the middle class but adding young people, couples (there are actually plenty with young children), and elderly isn't a bad thing and they're helping to reduce blight which is also good for children. after decades of decline its great news but it doesn't solve all of philly's problems, fiscal or social.

[Pennsport]

Originally Posted by FKD19124

What do you get for that 7 grand a year though.
As someone pointed out, what philly needs is families, not just one person or couples transplants. People who are going to raise kids here and be here for the long term.

In the near-term I completely disagree with this statement. Why does Philly need families in the next several years? Center City is nearing complete gentrification. All the former "sketchy" areas (i.e. Northern Liberties, Kensington, Port Richmond, Hawthorne, Grad Hospital, southern Pennsport, to name a few) are either quickly and dramatically changing, or have already tipped to fully gentrified; and very few of these new residents fall under the category of families.

What Philly needs to do is continue to import tax-paying, semi-affluent home owners, who will demand and force change, patronize retail establishments, and transform entire neighborhoods (as is seen in the above geographies). This is by no means a quick process, and some areas of Philly, namely the Northeast, will continue to regress as a result of the city core booming. However, this will eventually work itself out over the coming years/decades. Philly is on an undeniable upswing and is gaining momentum every day.