Moving to Philly - Center City vs Society Hill (Philadelphia: city hall, hotel)

[Stackz00]

Hi everyone!

My girlfriend and I will be relocating to Philadelphia this July. We are in our mid 20's and will be working in center city. We are narrowing down where we would like to live and it is between Center City (S broad st & Walnut) and Society Hill ( 4th and Walnut). We have visited both and are somewhat familiar with the area. However we are seeking opinions for each. What are peoples thoughts on the vibe, community, safety, parking, walking from society hill to center city for work, restaurants etc.

Any insight is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[PHL10]

Just so confusion is avoided, Center City is the original borders of the City pf Philadelphia which is river to river and Vine to South Street. So Society Hill is a neighborhood within Center City. By Broad and Walnut, you could either east or west, where each side has a different vibe. I can tell you that Society Hill is much quieter than areas close to Broad Street so if you guys are in your 20's, Society Hill may be less interesting to you.

[Flyers Girl]

Originally Posted by PHL10

Just so confusion is avoided, Center City is the original borders of the City pf Philadelphia which is river to river and Vine to South Street. So Society Hill is a neighborhood within Center City. By Broad and Walnut, you could either east or west, where each side has a different vibe. I can tell you that Society Hill is much quieter than areas close to Broad Street so if you guys are in your 20's, Society Hill may be less interesting to you.

True, but 4th and Walnut is only two blocks from all the action of Old City for people their age. So if they like the place enough at 4th and Walnut, it could definitely still be an option.

[Yanaka]

I don't use a car, but your Broad St option sends red flags when it comes to parking. I also think that area is really ugly, and the crowd isn't very glamorous past 9/10 (harmless but not the most attractive atmosphere to go back home with family for instance haha). Society Hill is a lot nicer, there's a lot of things to do there and you're not too far from the MFL I guess. You'd have access to 4th Street/South area craziness, but also the quiet and cute local markets etc. happening in the area (still on South).

I'm in Rittenhouse Square, personally, and work part-time in the Head House district.

[Stackz00]

Thank you all for your inputs!

So yes to clarify, we are debating the middle of center city and Society Hill.

We love the quaint feel of society hill. Our concern is the hike each day to the middle of center city for work. Is it doable on a daily basis, ( i know google maps says about a 30min walk) easy public transportation? Also we have a dog so the nearby green space is very attractive. What is the preferred restaurant scene like in both?

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by Stackz00

Thank you all for your inputs!

So yes to clarify, we are debating the middle of center city and Society Hill.

We love the quaint feel of society hill. Our concern is the hike each day to the middle of center city for work. Is it doable on a daily basis, ( i know google maps says about a 30min walk) easy public transportation? Also we have a dog so the nearby green space is very attractive. What is the preferred restaurant scene like in both?

Are you aware of the Broad St concourse? It runs to City Hall & intersects with a smaller concourse that connects the stations for the PATCO stations for 9th & 10th on Locust to 15th &16th on Locust.you can walk underground from 9th & Locust to 16th & Locust.

[thedirtypirate]

My vote goes to 4th and Walnut.

The 9 bus runs down Walnut and comes ever 10 minutes after 7 am. It is a 6min ride from 4th to Broad.

I had a friend move here from across the country, and he moved to Broad and Chestnut last year to be outside his office. He would still recommend the building he lived in to someone, but he is to looking to move towards Rittenhouse now that he has the lay of the land. The very center of center city is where everything converges and can be grinding especailly to someone who isn't already living in a dense urban city.

Two of my best friends live in Society Hill (both late 20s') and they love it.

It really depends what type of person you are. Philly has a little space for everyone.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by PHL10

Just so confusion is avoided, Center City is the original borders of the City pf Philadelphia which is river to river and Vine to South Street. So Society Hill is a neighborhood within Center City. By Broad and Walnut, you could either east or west, where each side has a different vibe. I can tell you that Society Hill is much quieter than areas close to Broad Street so if you guys are in your 20's, Society Hill may be less interesting to you.

OP, this is true: Society Hill is primarily residential and quiet. But you would be steps away from Old City(restaurants, bars, theater(live and movies), art galleries, shops and South St.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by Yanaka

I don't use a car, but your Broad St option sends red flags when it comes to parking. I also think that area is really ugly, and the crowd isn't very glamorous past 9/10 (harmless but not the most attractive atmosphere to go back home with family for instance haha). Society Hill is a lot nicer, there's a lot of things to do there and you're not too far from the MFL I guess. You'd have access to 4th Street/South area craziness, but also the quiet and cute local markets etc. happening in the area (still on South).

I'm in Rittenhouse Square, personally, and work part-time in the Head House district.

Parking is an issue no matter where they might end up in Center City.

The Academy of Music, the Kimmel Center, Wilma and Suzanne Roberts Theaters, the Doubletree, Hyatt at the Bellevue and the almost finished Cambria hotel and the view of City Hall from S. Broad St are just "really ugly" .Lol

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by southbound_295

Are you aware of the Broad St concourse? It runs to City Hall & intersects with a smaller concourse that connects the stations for the PATCO stations for 9th & 10th on Locust to 15th &16th on Locust.you can walk underground from 9th & Locust to 16th & Locust.

Fyi too, parts of the concourse, that connects to the Market St sections, is under repair and upgrade.

I found out something I was unaware of a couple of weeks ago. There is northern section of Broad St concourse between the Race-Vine BSL station and, probably, City Hall. It's currently closed off by a set of doors on the southern end of the Race Vine station. Septa was doing something near these doors and they were open. There was a green tiled passage way that resembled the southern part of the concourse.