Moving to Philly: Should I be worried about work? (Philadelphia: real estate, rent)

[dyln]

Hi!

I live in NYC right now and am dealing with crippling rent costs and a depleted savings.

I run a small web and branding design studio here (I'm the only employee at the moment), and while I do seem to attract a lot of New York clients, I don't actually meet with all that many of them in person. Maybe 2-4 a month, I'd say. Most of my work is done over email and over the phone, even if they do live in my same town.

I've been tempted to move to Philadelphia for a little bit now for a number of reasons, most importantly the fact that I can hardly afford it here in New York. I also would like to buy a small home in the future, but—if you've ever looked at NYC real estate—you'll know why that isn't possible in my city.

I have visited Philadelphia and enjoyed it a lot. I am in love with New York, but I'm in love with cities in general. I feel that I'd be happy in almost any big city, and a big city like Philly being close to New York is definitely a plus. If I need to take Amtrak or Greyhound a few times a month, that wouldn't be a problem.

My biggest fear is that moving might negatively affect my business. I wonder if it will be harder to find or attract clients, or if I will miss out on a lot of the business opportunities that are here in NYC. I’m probably overthinking things, but I'd love to hear if any of you have personal experience or otherwise that might calm my worries a bit.

Thanks!

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by dyln

Hi!

I live in NYC right now and am dealing with crippling rent costs and a depleted savings.

I run a small web and branding design studio here (I'm the only employee at the moment), and while I do seem to attract a lot of New York clients, I don't actually meet with all that many of them in person. Maybe 2-4 a month, I'd say. Most of my work is done over email and over the phone, even if they do live in my same town.

I've been tempted to move to Philadelphia for a little bit now for a number of reasons, most importantly the fact that I can hardly afford it here in New York. I also would like to buy a small home in the future, but—if you've ever looked at NYC real estate—you'll know why that isn't possible in my city.

I have visited Philadelphia and enjoyed it a lot. I am in love with New York, but I'm in love with cities in general. I feel that I'd be happy in almost any big city, and a big city like Philly being close to New York is definitely a plus. If I need to take Amtrak or Greyhound a few times a month, that wouldn't be a problem.

My biggest fear is that moving might negatively affect my business. I wonder if it will be harder to find or attract clients, or if I will miss out on a lot of the business opportunities that are here in NYC. I’m probably overthinking things, but I'd love to hear if any of you have personal experience or otherwise that might calm my worries a bit.

Thanks!

There have been a couple of recent posters who were considering moving to Philadelphia with the caveat that they felt they could do most of their work remotely with junkets to NYC a couple, or more, times a month to secure enough or more clients.

I can PM one of those posters who did move to Philly.

Just for pleasure I go to NYC a few times a month. It's easy and seamless, imo, so doing that "commute" should be fine for you.

[dyln]

Originally Posted by kyb01

There have been a couple of recent posters who were considering moving to Philadelphia with the caveat that they felt they could do most of their work remotely with junkets to NYC a couple, or more, times a month to secure enough or more clients.

I can PM one of those posters who did move to Philly.

Just for pleasure I go to NYC a few times a month. It's easy and seamless, imo, so doing that "commute" should be fine for you.

Oh, awesome! I'd love to hear what they have to say. Thank you!

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by dyln

Oh, awesome! I'd love to hear what they have to say. Thank you!

I just PM'd the person in question.

This person is an ex-New Yorker. He loves Philly now and it's proved to be a good choice for him. He and his wife landed in a terrific neighborhood, Old City, which gentrified a long time ago but still has a fair number of new projects and city energy.

[roma258]

I have a bunch of tech friends in Philly. They seem to do just fine, many have clients in New York. The seem to make it work. Good luck!

[dyln]

Originally Posted by roma258

I have a bunch of tech friends in Philly. They seem to do just fine, many have clients in New York. The seem to make it work. Good luck!

Thanks!

[Finger Laker]

How do you gain new customers? Do you need a physical presence in NY to keep that ball rolling?

Also, with what appears to be a limited need to be there in person you could always expand operations. Wouldn't cost much to establish a Philadelphia phone number. Keep your existing line as your primary and then auto forward your new Philadelphia line. Just like that you now have a Philly office and both cities can have customers feel like they are working with someone local.