Moving from Amsterdam, starting work in KoP, where to live on 63k?

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by Louden

Thanks for those suggestions, we already checked out the Love Park and the lightshow at Macy's in our first days. The antiques place is called architectural antiques and at first I just walked past it, because it looked closed. My girlfriend is a bit more nosy fortunately en checked through the window to conclude it was open.

We went to Silk City Diner yesterday! I actually just finished the Mac & Cheese (first one in my life) for lunch, as we didn't even get to touch it yesterday because we were so full from sharing only the chicken sandwich meal. The beer was good as well, I had an American IPA. Everybody here seems crazy about IPA's I'm mostly crazy about the pumpkin beer; I had the Longtrail Imperial Pumpkin Ale at Winnie's in Manayunk and I had the Dogfish Head Punkin Ale at a bar; Venture in CC. Both were outstanding.

Today I can say the neighborhood we live at is actually better than I first thought. Because there's a power station nearby and some other stuff it feels a bit empty maybe, but it's not really bad at all. People are still very friendly. In the morning I take the 61 bus to Manayunk and it takes me through Ridge Ave all the way to East Falls. On that street you see so many places where they are really trying to improve things with new apartments and everything which looks great. And only 30 yards further on you will see some places that look pretty run down. It feels as though the city really is in transition and I like it. Nonetheless, we will still have to get used to this city and the US as a whole. I cannot help but feel a bit unsafe when I stand out so much in a crowd (being tall and very white) and I am literally the only one in dress shoes. I'm sure in time we'll get more used to everything and understand that we're just a bit afraid of the unknown.

I hope we can find a sublet apartment that doesn't require a SSN from January on. Although our current place is comfortable, we have a great host and it's very walkable, I would prefer to already be a bit closer to work. As soon as I have my SSn we'll look into more permanent housing in Manayunk and a car. People at my work all advise me to take a 4x4 because of the hills and a sedan because I will pay premium for my car insurance as I do not have any history in the US. We'll see what comes on our way. If any of you have more tips I am always looking for cool stuff to do. From January I will participate in a football (soccer) league through some colleagues in KoP.

Re: Dress shoes. I mostly see guys wearing them in Center City particularly ones wearing suits. Every now and then I do see a guy in jeans with them.

Regarding other things. We did have a coffee shop thread mixed in with something else. You have discovered the great beer we have here. The Yards Brewery has tours. Yards is just south of Sugar House Casino on Delaware Ave. Also you could start to look at other neighborhoods. East Passyunk is easy to get to. Take the Broad St Line south to the Snyder stop. Walk one block north on Broad to Passyunk. Go east(there's a big sign). Some of the nicest and trendiest restaurants are along Passyunk.

Speaking of soccer we do have a pro team in the area, the Union.

[rainrock]

Originally Posted by kyb01

Re: Dress shoes. I mostly see guys wearing them in Center City particularly ones wearing suits.

If you are looking for people wearing dress shoes North Philly is definitely not the place to be. Commute on Ridge Ave thru North Philly? Whoa. You are a trooper.

If you want to fit in better you should be looking for an apartment in Center City or University City or out in the suburbs. Towns like Wayne,Bryn Mawr,Narberth,Ardmore,Haverford, Chestnut Hill.

Good luck.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by Louden

If any of you have more tips I am always looking for cool stuff to do.

If you are interested in something a little more cultural check out Pennsylvania Ballet's production of The Nutcracker. It's the full ballet(George Balachine's from 1954)not the truncated a version that pops up this time of year.

And about those American restaurant portions? Yes, often they are way too large. I tend to eat only half and take the rest home for later.

As you get used to Philly public transit, take a trolley ride to University City. Take the 34 to 43rd and Baltimore Ave. The Green Line Cafe is right on that corner. Across from it is Clark Park. Take a stroll along Baltimore Ave. There are restaurants and shops that you might like. There's a cool (I think it is.) used furniture store at 46th and Baltimore. The housing is in area in mostly Victorian built after the American Civil War.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by rainrock

If you are looking for people wearing dress shoes North Philly is definitely not the place to be. Commute on Ridge Ave thru North Philly? Whoa. You are a trooper.

If you want to fit in better you should be looking for an apartment in Center City or University City or out in the suburbs. Towns like Wayne,Bryn Mawr,Narberth,Ardmore,Haverford, Chestnut Hill.

Good luck.

Chestnut Hill is not a town. It's a neighborhood in Philadelphia.

The route 61 is not nearly as "interesting" as the 23.

He and his gf have kinda settled on Manayunk.

He's commuting to KofP. So he needs to be reasonably close to it but still enjoy some real urbanity.
He won't get that in Wayne, Bryn Mawr, Narbeth, Ardmore or Haverford. And, yes, I know he won't because I grew up in a Haverford.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by Louden

Thanks for those suggestions, we already checked out the Love Park and the lightshow at Macy's in our first days. The antiques place is called architectural antiques and at first I just walked past it, because it looked closed. My girlfriend is a bit more nosy fortunately en checked through the window to conclude it was open.

We went to Silk City Diner yesterday! I actually just finished the Mac & Cheese (first one in my life) for lunch, as we didn't even get to touch it yesterday because we were so full from sharing only the chicken sandwich meal. The beer was good as well, I had an American IPA. Everybody here seems crazy about IPA's I'm mostly crazy about the pumpkin beer; I had the Longtrail Imperial Pumpkin Ale at Winnie's in Manayunk and I had the Dogfish Head Punkin Ale at a bar; Venture in CC. Both were outstanding.

Speaking of beer. The Big Beer Fest( I may have the name wrong) is coming to the PA Convention Ctr 1/9,1/10 , 2015.

We also have Philly Beer Week. Not till May, 2015.

[rainrock]

Originally Posted by kyb01

chestnut hill is not a town. It's a neighborhood in philadelphia.

lol

[rainrock]

Originally Posted by kyb01

He's commuting to KofP. So he needs to be reasonably close to it but still enjoy some real urbanity.
He won't get that in Wayne, Bryn Mawr, Narbeth, Ardmore or Haverford. And, yes, I know he won't because I grew up in a Haverford.

So the answer is to be living on the fringe of the badlands ?

You don't come from Amsterdam to do a daily commute thru North Philly via Ridge Ave. Woof

If you cant find anything in Center City then you have to go out to the suburbs and visit Center City when you can. The main Line suburbs although not urban are very walkable at least by US standards.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by Louden

So Guys,

We arrived! Last Wednesday in the night we came here and we've enjoyed the city a lot so far. We absolutely love the gaybourhood, the friendliness of the majority of people and the runs we do through the city. The things that are challenging are, as expected, the ridiculous commute (took me 1:45 hours today) and how the feeling of safety can change so much between one block and the other. We had dinner in Manayunk to check it out and that place seems great. It has a nice vibe, great looking bars and restaurants and it's located very conveniently. We also went to Northern Liberties, where we saw the best antique shop in the world and we have been to KoP on Black Friday, which was entertaining....for about 20 minutes.

The first four days on Walnut street were the best and now we're staying on Brandywine street, near 11th. The vibe is really different to be honest, but it's still good. Especially during the day. I must say that I still need to get used to the vibe at night, especially on the Metro, but that is largely due to what I am used to in the Netherlands. I would however like to feel more safe about my girl walking alone on the street sometimes.

The next couple of weeks we will hopefully get a short lease apartment or a sublet, meet some people and discover more great things about this city. If you have any suggestions, tips or questions, please do not hesitate to share .

On a Friday night take PATCO to Haddonfield. They have candlelight shopping on Friday nights between Thanksgiving & Christmas. Some of the buildings in the shopping district date back to the 1700s.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by rainrock

lol

What's the humor for? Chestnut Hill is part of the city.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by rainrock

So the answer is to be living on the fringe of the badlands ?

You don't come from Amsterdam to do a daily commute thru North Philly via Ridge Ave. Woof

If you cant find anything in Center City then you have to go out to the suburbs and visit Center City when you can. The main Line suburbs although not urban are very walkable at least by US standards.

Their current location is only temporary for them. They have a plan but you seem to be ignoring it wrt where they want to live.

I grew up in Haverford. My mother grew up there too. So, combined, I have decades worth of experience with the Main Line. Yes, agreed, it's walkabout but few people actually walk there. Everybody drives.