Moving from NC to Philly Amidst a Pandemic

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by southbound_295

Well, that's up to him. He has admitted to not having been to Clayton. I'm aware of Clayton and where it is. I told him the truth rather than what I think he wants to hear. I'm certainly not promoting the PATCO parking lots as a way to scam paying for parking in Philadelphia. I remember someone calling PATCO about leaving their car in an unnamed lot rather than parking at the airport. The response was that if the local PDs figured it out, it would be towed.

I was referring to suggesting he live in a suburb.

I get you — Clayton is a ways away from Center City or South Philly. But just as we have people who work in New York and commute 90 minutes on Amtrak from here because they want city life for less than it costs in Brooklyn, so there are people who will be willing to put up with 45-60 minute commutes to a distant exurb because they want to live in the middle of the city.

[AshbyQuin]

Originally Posted by BrianGC

Hello guys,

I just started a new job, and they have requested me to move to the Philly area to work on-site with a client. My wife and I absolutely love Philly, so the decision was a no-brainer . I know things are still shut down at the moment, so the timing isn't exactly the best. Is apartment-hunting also heavily restricted right now? I couldn't find much info on that particular question.

The other downside is that the client is in Clayton, NJ, which looks to be a 30-35 minute drive from Philly in "shutdown traffic" (so probably 45+ when things reopen?). I am not too familiar with the NJ side except I have heard some not-so-nice things. I'm willing to deal with a longer commute if that means living in a fun, walkable place with decent nightlife, restaurants, breweries, etc. and transit access to other neighborhoods. From our visits, it seems like multiple spots in Philly could fit the bill. In our desired neighborhoods (listed further below), I've already started gathering a list of potential apartments that fit our budget. I guess I'm just starting this thread as a sanity check and to hear any other suggestions. Answers to the stickied thread's questions below, which should give more detail.

When are you moving? End of this month; starting on-site work on 6/1
Where are you coming from? Greensboro, NC
Why are you moving? Work, spending approximately one year
Where will you be working? Clayton, NJ
Have you been here yet? Yep, twice...love your city!

Will you buy or rent? rent
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend? Not super picky on the type of unit except for wanting something well-maintained OR more recently renovated. Studio or 1-bedroom is fine with us. Top-end budget is $1500/month, flexible based on benefits/amenities of the rental.
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up? Either is fine, but preferably something not on the first floor.

Do you have a preference of living in a NJ or PA suburb? No suburbs. From our visits, we really like the just about all of Center City, Passyunk, Fishtown, and (maybe) Northern Liberties. Any other similar neighborhood suggestions are welcome

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married; no kids and no plans to have them
Do you have pets? One cat and One snake
Do you want or need a yard? Big fat NO lol
Are you keeping a car? Yep, just one. Prefer to have it parked in a parking garage structure
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? Bustling! Quiet is okay as long as it's a short walk to the action.

What do you want to be closest to?
Entertainment/nightlife, restaurants, breweries, etc. An easy-ish way to access an interstate to cross over into NJ would be nice as well, especially when the COVID shutdowns end.

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? Being around people of similar-ish age and lifestyle (early 30s, no kids) will help but the rest of that doesn't matter

Favorite Beverage - Craft Beer, wine, water? craft beer for me, wine for the wife

Let me know if you guys have any additional recommendations.
Thank you!

Have you looked at Mayfair? It checks off all the boxes.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

I was referring to suggesting he live in a suburb.

I get you — Clayton is a ways away from Center City or South Philly. But just as we have people who work in New York and commute 90 minutes on Amtrak from here because they want city life for less than it costs in Brooklyn, so there are people who will be willing to put up with 45-60 minute commutes to a distant exurb because they want to live in the middle of the city.

It's his decision to make.

For what it's worth, Cherry Hill is very much like the new urban areas of North Carolina, both in cities and suburbs. It just depends on what happens and how the couple feel when the time comes.

If the job was in a location to make an easier commute I would have said nothing. In NC, when the nor'Easters come through in the wintertime many places close down until the snow and ice melt. That used to be the case in South Jersey and Philadelphia, too. Not anymore.

[AJNEOA]

Originally Posted by southbound_295

It's his decision to make.

For what it's worth, Cherry Hill is very much like the new urban areas of North Carolina, both in cities and suburbs. It just depends on what happens and how the couple feel when the time comes.

If the job was in a location to make an easier commute I would have said nothing. In NC, when the nor'Easters come through in the wintertime many places close down until the snow and ice melt. That used to be the case in South Jersey and Philadelphia, too. Not anymore.

I took the OP's posts to mean that, while they're from NC, they want and love Philly's authentic urban experience. They are not looking to replicate NC.

Do you have a preference of living in a NJ or PA suburb? No suburbs. From our visits, we really like the just about all of Center City, Passyunk, Fishtown, and (maybe) Northern Liberties. Any other similar neighborhood suggestions are welcome

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married; no kids and no plans to have them
Do you have pets? One cat and One snake
Do you want or need a yard? Big fat NO lol
Are you keeping a car? Yep, just one. Prefer to have it parked in a parking garage structure
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? Bustling! Quiet is okay as long as it's a short walk to the action.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by AJNEOA

I took the OP's posts to mean that, while they're from NC, they want and love Philly's authentic urban experience. They are not looking to replicate NC.

Do you know where Clayton is and have you been there? Want to commute to there during a nor'Easter?

You thought that leaving a car in South Jersey was a good idea.

My suggestion was to check some specific places if the gig gets changed to over a year in length. I gave a reason why, too.

[AJNEOA]

Originally Posted by southbound_295

Do you know where Clayton is and have you been there? Want to commute to there during a nor'Easter?

You thought that leaving a car in South Jersey was a good idea.

My suggestion was to check some specific places if the gig gets changed to over a year in length. I gave a reason why, too.

I posed it as an option and wasn't sure if it was a good idea. And I wasn't saying that someone should leave their car in the PATCO lot long-term. Obviously, it would be towed at some point. I wasn't sure if there was a garage near one of the stations where longer-term parking could be cheaper. In that case, maybe it would be easier to get out of the city too. Obviously, it was a long-shot suggestion.

Either way, I wouldn't expect Cherry Hill would be a good option. It's just not urban at all. I live in the burbs now and I wouldn't even consider CH.

[Pennsport]

Originally Posted by AshbyQuin

Have you looked at Mayfair? It checks off all the boxes.

Hahaha... good one.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by AJNEOA

I posed it as an option and wasn't sure if it was a good idea. And I wasn't saying that someone should leave their car in the PATCO lot long-term. Obviously, it would be towed at some point. I wasn't sure if there was a garage near one of the stations where longer-term parking could be cheaper. In that case, maybe it would be easier to get out of the city too. Obviously, it was a long-shot suggestion.

Either way, I wouldn't expect Cherry Hill would be a good option. It's just not urban at all. I live in the burbs now and I wouldn't even consider CH.

Have you been to an urban area in North Carolina? With the exception of a few specific areas they look like Cherry Hill.

Again, I made suggestions based on my knowledge of where the job is, and qualified the suggestions only to apply if the term of the job is lengthened. You suggested leaving the car in South Jersey based on a guess. I started riding PATCO less than a year after it opened, to go to college.

Again, it's up to the OP to decide. I threw out some suggestions based on my knowledge of where the job is and the fact that my sister has lived in Pitman for over 40 years. You ignored my question of whether you would commute from Philadelphia to Clayton during a nor'Easter. I'm going to guess that that would be a big no.

I'm done trying to explain and re-explain a suggestion made based on my knowledge of where the job is, only if the length of the gig is extended. Do you even know that the ride to Center City is about 15 minutes via PATCO, from Haddonfield? If that is a hardship to getting into Center City to do whatever he wants 7 days a week in your opinion, it's not mine. I don't care if the OP doesn't want yardwork. There are apartments available for rent which don't include yardwork.

[AJNEOA]

Originally Posted by southbound_295

Have you been to an urban area in North Carolina? With the exception of a few specific areas they look like Cherry Hill.

Again, I made suggestions based on my knowledge of where the job is, and qualified the suggestions only to apply if the term of the job is lengthened. You suggested leaving the car in South Jersey based on a guess. I started riding PATCO less than a year after it opened, to go to college.

Again, it's up to the OP to decide. I threw out some suggestions based on my knowledge of where the job is and the fact that my sister has lived in Pitman for over 40 years. You ignored my question of whether you would commute from Philadelphia to Clayton during a nor'Easter. I'm going to guess that that would be a big no.

I'm done trying to explain and re-explain a suggestion made based on my knowledge of where the job is, only if the length of the gig is extended. Do you even know that the ride to Center City is about 15 minutes via PATCO, from Haddonfield? If that is a hardship to getting into Center City to do whatever he wants 7 days a week in your opinion, it's not mine. I don't care if the OP doesn't want yardwork. There are apartments available for rent which don't include yardwork.

I'm not saying you didn't explain. And no, I wouldn't want to drive during a nor'Easter (why did you need me to answer this dumb question?), but I'm expecting that the OP does know what they want. They were clear on it. And I have been to many urban areas in NC, and I'm not a fan. It sounds like the OP is excited to live in a city like Philly (no plans for kids, don't like yards). Let them decide. I was simply saying that I don't think South Jersey is at all what they are looking for. I think we're done here.