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Guys, $455 guy is obviously trolling. He's writing from some place that is obviously not Philly, and is making a commentary on how much better it is in the suburbs. He thinks he's rubbing something in our faces, but it's a moot point. Anyone who lives in or wants to live in a city knows they'll pay more than, say, the house behind the stripmall on some suburban highway. I could also tell you of people who pay an $850/mo mortgage for a decent 3br suburban home - and are really trying to move to the city, where they know that'll get a 1br in a "transitioning" neighborhood, at best. So what. It's off topic. So let's stop feeding the troll.
I think you should in the east passyunk area. You shouldn't have too much trouble finding an apartment in your price range. I lived in a pretty nice 1bdroom for $600/mo back when I was renting up until about 2 years ago. The area has a ton of the amenities you are looking for and it is extremely easy to get to center city. Rent tends to be cheaper on the southern end of the neighborhood closer to Snyder and on the eastern edge around 9th and 10th street. Good luck!
Some studios are tiny but some are very spacious. My studio is as big as a one bedroom and I could probably put up a barrier but I don't see the need for it. I also only pay $750 in a great neighborhood. I don't mind sacrificing the space to have a little extra money going toward my savings. It all depends on what you can live with.
Im glad to hear you really like your studio! That gives me hope! Lol Ive only seen pictures but perhaps once i actually start touring some places my mind will change. Id def love to be closer to the city so if i find a spacious studio id be happy! Im just worried ill have bad luck and end up far removed from the social aspect being closer has to offer.
Guys, $455 guy is obviously trolling. He's writing from some place that is obviously not Philly, and is making a commentary on how much better it is in the suburbs. He thinks he's rubbing something in our faces, but it's a moot point. Anyone who lives in or wants to live in a city knows they'll pay more than, say, the house behind the stripmall on some suburban highway. I could also tell you of people who pay an $850/mo mortgage for a decent 3br suburban home - and are really trying to move to the city, where they know that'll get a 1br in a "transitioning" neighborhood, at best. So what. It's off topic. So let's stop feeding the troll.
See, thats what im trying to wrap my mind around! People paying $850 for a home & others paying 2x that for a lil studio. I just dont know if i can part with that much money knowing what id get in return! Lol But you are absolutely right, you're paying for location so for those who want to be in the mix of it all have to shell out more. I def know i want to be near the city, i just have to find a place im comfortable paying for and ill be comfortable living in.
AHRavensfan! (Well, at least you're not a Cowboys fan). <img src="//pics3.city-data.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Smile" smilieid="1" class="inlineimg" /><br />
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I'm going to play the part of your voice of reason today and tell you: you need to make this move, and you need to make it at this point in your life. Don't wait 5 years until you can afford a bigger apartment. Do it now, while you have a job to transfer to (giving you a leg up on a lot of people contemplating the same move - that's great, so go with it!). Do it now, before you fall in love with someone in Harrisburg who owns a home and 3 dogs and will be reluctant to move with you. 26 is the perfect age for doing this.<br />
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Your worries? Let them go. You *may* have to live in a studio or live with a roommate, but the cost of putting up with that for a year is way less than the cost of putting off this move. Better still, you probably can get a 1BR after all. It's just not going to be on the Center-Citiest block of Center City. It'll be a few walking blocks away, or maybe a trolley ride, but still in a really cool part of town.<br />
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What you need to do right now is start researching the neighborhoods surrounding Center City. There is a lot more to Philly than just Center City, and you'll most likely end up living in one of these places, and you're going to live near bars and Millenials and have a ton of fun. Forget northeast Philly. Acquaint yourself with: University City. Graduate Hospital. Point Breeze. North Center City, AKA 'the loft district' AKA the Eraserhood. Northern Liberties. Old Kensington. Passyunk. Fishtown. Port Richmond. Bella Vista. Queen Village. Cedar Park in West Philly. Manayunk. Fairmount. Brewerytown. South Philly. Pennsport. <br />
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You want to gain an idea of what all of these areas are like, but only some of these will work for you. Some will be overpriced, some will be too far out there. But with some digging, you can find a small 1BR in some of these places and they will be cool places to live that have a "scene" and are not far from Center City. Such as north Point Breeze/south Graduate Hospital, University City/Cedar Park from the mid-forties to 50th, north Center City, Kensington, Fishtown, Bella Vista, north Fairmount/south Brewerytown, South Philly (not too far south).<br />
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Caution: in your research you will run into people who will proclaim some of these neighborhoods to be unsafe. Take everything you hear with a grain of salt. Usually, the naysayers are exaggerating. The more you dig, the more you'll get a balanced perspective on these neighborhoods. So don't write a place off right away because some 50 year old living in the Jersey suburbs calls it a "war zone". <br />
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So just start to get a better idea of the neighborhoods surrounding Center City. Each area has a different vibe. Some are more "hipster" (I hate to use that term because it's too broad and meaningless and is often meant as a dig, but sometimes there's no way around using it), some are more intellectual young families, some are a mix of young and old-timers, some have more professionals, some have more artists. You'll find your fit, but above all else, don't move to the suburbs or the northeast in your position in life. Do the city thing, or you'll always wonder what it would have been like. So what if you have to live in a small place or a place on the edge of things for a little bit? You can always move up.<br />
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I'm excited for you - do your research, take your time, but do it!
I think you should in the east passyunk area. You shouldn't have too much trouble finding an apartment in your price range. I lived in a pretty nice 1bdroom for $600/mo back when I was renting up until about 2 years ago. The area has a ton of the amenities you are looking for and it is extremely easy to get to center city. Rent tends to be cheaper on the southern end of the neighborhood closer to Snyder and on the eastern edge around 9th and 10th street. Good luck!
Thank you so much for your suggestion! I will def check out that area! Im not to picky, i dont have to be in cc...id just love to be in a neighborhood with a similar feel. Shops, restaurants, bars, etc in close proximity.
Im glad to hear you really like your studio! That gives me hope! Lol Ive only seen pictures but perhaps once i actually start touring some places my mind will change. Id def love to be closer to the city so if i find a spacious studio id be happy! Im just worried ill have bad luck and end up far removed from the social aspect being closer has to offer.
MsClutterbuck didn't mention that she lives close to many parts of Center City. That should encourage you.
The advice about looking in S. Philly(E. Passyunk) is good too.
AHRavensfan! (Well, at least you're not a Cowboys fan).
I'm going to play the part of your voice of reason today and tell you: you need to make this move, and you need to make it at this point in your life. Don't wait 5 years until you can afford a bigger apartment. Do it now, while you have a job to transfer to (giving you a leg up on a lot of people contemplating the same move - that's great, so go with it!). Do it now, before you fall in love with someone in Harrisburg who owns a home and 3 dogs and will be reluctant to move with you. 26 is the perfect age for doing this.
Your worries? Let them go. You *may* have to live in a studio or live with a roommate, but the cost of putting up with that for a year is way less than the cost of putting off this move. Better still, you probably can get a 1BR after all. It's just not going to be on the Center-Citiest block of Center City. It'll be a few walking blocks away, or maybe a trolley ride, but still in a really cool part of town.
What you need to do right now is start researching the neighborhoods surrounding Center City. There is a lot more to Philly than just Center City, and you'll most likely end up living in one of these places, and you're going to live near bars and Millenials and have a ton of fun. Forget northeast Philly. Acquaint yourself with: University City. Graduate Hospital. Point Breeze. North Center City, AKA 'the loft district' AKA the Eraserhood. Northern Liberties. Old Kensington. Fishtown. Port Richmond. Bella Vista. Queen Village. Cedar Park in West Philly. Manayunk. Fairmount. Brewerytown. South Philly. Pennsport.
You want to gain an idea of what all of these areas are like, but only some of these will work for you. Some will be overpriced, some will be too far out there. But with some digging, you can find a small 1BR in some of these places and they will be cool places to live that have a "scene" and are not far from Center City. Such as north Point Breeze/south Graduate Hospital, University City/Cedar Park from the mid-forties to 50th, north Center City, Kensington, Fishtown, Bella Vista, north Fairmount/south Brewerytown, South Philly (not too far south).
Caution: in your research you will run into people who will proclaim some of these neighborhoods to be unsafe. Take everything you hear with a grain of salt. Usually, the naysayers are exaggerating. The more you dig, the more you'll get a balanced perspective on these neighborhoods. So don't write a place off right away because some 50 year old living in the Jersey suburbs calls it a "war zone".
So just start to get a better idea of the neighborhoods surrounding Center City. Each area has a different vibe. Some are more "hipster" (I hate to use that term because it's too broad and meaningless and is often meant as a dig, but sometimes there's no way around using it), some are more intellectual young families, some are a mix of young and old-timers, some have more professionals, some have more artists. You'll find your fit, but above all else, don't move to the suburbs or the northeast in your position in life. Do the city thing, or you'll always wonder what it would have been like. So what if you have to live in a small place or a place on the edge of things for a little bit? You can always move up.
I'm excited for you - do your research, take your time, but do it!
1st of all can i please hire you to follow me around and encourage me in other aspects of my life as well!? What a great post!! Thank you so much for your kinds words and encouragement and all the information! I even took a screen shot so i can quickly look back over it as i continue to do my research! Lol You are so right, i need to just take the leap. Making a big life change is pretty scary but regret is even scarier! I just wish moving was easier and i had someone knowledgeable like you to just point me to the right apt lol Im going to research all the neighborhoods you suggested & do my hw! I hope i do end up in philly by summer time & i meet ppl like you & the others taking the time to reply to my post!
Thank you so much for your suggestion! I will def check out that area! Im not to picky, i dont have to be in cc...id just love to be in a neighborhood with a similar feel. Shops, restaurants, bars, etc in close proximity.
Poster, Hallouise, gave you a fabulous response. She/He is being very realistic and, I agree with her/him. You're young and this is the time to make this move especially since you already have a job.
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