Neighborhood help! (Philadelphia, Penn: rentals, condo, how much)

[TumblingDice82]

Hi there, I'm considering a potential move (back) to Philly in the next few months and am looking for recommendations for neighborhoods to consider. I'm a recently divorced professional in my late 30s (no kids, 2 dogs) looking to move back to a larger city where there's more cultural, nightlife and dating opportunities. I previously lived in Philly as a grad student, spending most of my time in Center City (lived in Fitler Square/Rittenhouse area) and University City... but that was more than 12 years ago and I know many of the neighborhoods in the city have changed significantly since I left. I would likely be working in "Near Northeast" and would be looking for a neighborhood with a reasonable commute to that area, but with easy access to basic amenities like supermarkets and some nightlife options (e.g., low-key neighborhood restaurants/bars, not party-bro bars and clubs). Since I have 2 fairly anxious medium-sized rescue dogs and am coming from a very quiet, suburban-ish, leafy, beach-front neighborhood, ideally the neighborhood would have some green space (or at least some trees!) rather than being a pure concrete jungle. As for my housing preferences, I've filled out some of the suggested "survey" questions below.

Will you buy or rent? Most likely buy (given the pet situation), but am open to renting at first.

If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend? House would be preferable, but not necessarily opposed to a condo. Would like at least 2 BR and would ideally like to keep my budget under $500k (or, even lower perhaps?), but I can potentially go quite a bit higher for the right place/neighborhood.

If renting at first, my monthly budget can be fairly flexible (my impression is that, as a practical matter, I don't think it would be likely to be much more than $2500/month).

Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up? walk-up

Do you want or need a yard? A small yard (or even just a small back patio) would be ideal for the dogs.

Are you keeping a car? Yes, most likely given the location of the potential job.

Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? Prefer to live in a somewhat calmer/quiet neighborhood within a short (5-10 minute?) safe, walking distance of bustling activity. My past living experience in Fitler Square was something of a neighborhood ideal (but I suspect it and Rittenhouse might not be reasonable with my commute and budget?)

What do you want to be closest to? Basic services (e.g., supermarkets) and nightlife.

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? Diversity is ideal

Favorite Beverage - Craft Beer, wine, water? Craft beer or cocktail.

[NewtownBucks]

Fishtown.

Boom. Done.

Just be forewarned that nightlife is on full lockdown for now, although obviously, the pandemic will end eventually.

[rowhomecity]

I would consider Fishtown.

I would not say that Fishtown is not a boom and done though.

Queen Village also is adjacent to 95 and offers the accessibility you are seeking.

And Pennsport could get you a full blown 3 bedroom rowhome with a roof deck for your budget.

[NewtownBucks]

Originally Posted by rowhomecity

I would consider Fishtown.

I would not say that Fishtown is not a boom and done though.

Queen Village also is adjacent to 95 and offers the accessibility you are seeking.

And Pennsport could get you a full blown 3 bedroom rowhome with a roof deck for your budget.

Queen Village is a really nice neighborhood but it's a little overpriced if you don't have kids because of the reputation of the elementary school. It's also further away from the near NE, although not too far.

[DXBtoFL]

I'm never quite sure what people mean by diversity. It's just the latest token woke virtue signaling word tossed out so that no one confuses you with, you know, a, gasp, racist! And it's usually said by people who don't want genuine diversity (whether living side by side with poor African Americans in Point Breeze or Trump voters in deep South Philadelphia).

That aside, OP really can't go wrong with her old stomping grounds of Fitler Square/Rittenhouse, or adjacent Grad Hospital. Her budget of 500k won't get her anything but a small 2-bed condo or a tiny trinity, but if she has the capacity to increase her budget she should find something in Grad Hospital. Very popular dog park along the nearby Schuylkill River Trail, which also provides greenery and parks when the urban grid gets tiresome. The downside is the commute to the far northeast.

Fairmount could be a good alternative as well. Near the Museum and Fairmount park for dog walks.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by DXBtoFL

I'm never quite sure what people mean by diversity. It's just the latest token woke virtue signaling word tossed out so that no one confuses you with, you know, a, gasp, racist! And it's usually said by people who don't want genuine diversity (whether living side by side with poor African Americans in Point Breeze or Trump voters in deep South Philadelphia).

That aside, OP really can't go wrong with her old stomping grounds of Fitler Square/Rittenhouse, or adjacent Grad Hospital. Her budget of 500k won't get her anything but a small 2-bed condo or a tiny trinity, but if she has the capacity to increase her budget she should find something in Grad Hospital. Very popular dog park along the nearby Schuylkill River Trail, which also provides greenery and parks when the urban grid gets tiresome. The downside is the commute to the far northeast.

Fairmount could be a good alternative as well. Near the Museum and Fairmount park for dog walks.

The term "diversity" has been used in various sub-forums here at least since I arrived some fifteen years ago. In terms of a place to live, I've always interpreted it as (not) wanting a place where people of color and/or LGBTQ+ persons are most likely to be accepted and welcome. It may not necessarily include political diversity even as the main parties differ on their level and sincerity of overtures towards that goal.

I agree that if the OP can afford to buy in her old stomping grounds that it would be beneficial for both them and their dogs. A quick hop on the Schuylkill, 676 and 95 should get them close to where they need to go.

[TumblingDice82]

Thanks for all of the feedback, everyone. Lots to digest! I'm wondering if anyone has a sense of just how terrible street parking may be in the closer-in/Center City neighborhoods (e.g., Fairmount/Grad Hospital/Fishtown/Queen Village/Bella Vista). Since I would unfortunately be commuting by car every day, I'll need to figure out if off-street parking is a "nice to have" vs a "must have." Are there particular neighborhoods where street parking is a near-impossibilty and others where it's a reasonable option?

[Pennsport]

Originally Posted by TumblingDice82

Thanks for all of the feedback, everyone. Lots to digest! I'm wondering if anyone has a sense of just how terrible street parking may be in the closer-in/Center City neighborhoods (e.g., Fairmount/Grad Hospital/Fishtown/Queen Village/Bella Vista). Since I would unfortunately be commuting by car every day, I'll need to figure out if off-street parking is a "nice to have" vs a "must have." Are there particular neighborhoods where street parking is a near-impossibilty and others where it's a reasonable option?

Parking is really difficult in these neighborhoods, in some places virtually impossible after 4:30/5pm (during normal, non-COVID times). If you're in a must-drive situation and want to be in or near the heart of the city, factoring parking into your home decision is definitely a must. Now this doesn't necessarily mean attached parking - it could be close proximity to a lot with monthly rentals, but if you have to rely on street parking everyday in the neighborhoods you list above, you're going to have a rough Monday - Friday.