Help find me a new home in Philly...moving in a few weeks! (Philadelphia: apartment)

[a75206]

Howdy new/future neighbors!

I landed a nice job in Center City Philly (Market West area) and so I'll be moving to the City of Brotherly Love in the next several weeks. I have been to Center City many times over the last few years and have come to know about a lot of stuff about the city, but I've never lived there and it's a bit never-wracking to be moving half way across the country and to a place as densely packed-in as Philly's downtown...I think I"ll love it but I also love my current bachelor pad in Dallas' nice "The Village" neighborhood...not only because it is car-friendly (free parking) but also because my apartment came with all the modern amenities included...large microwave, large washer and dryer, dishwasher, garbage disposer, TWO patios/balconies, walk-in closet, garden-style shower tub, wall-to-wall carpeting with big tiles in entry and in kitchen....just a really nice place for only around $1k. I'm finding out that in nicer parts of Center City, something similar would be more like $2k! Is that right?!



When are you moving? in a few weeks...July by latest

Where are you coming from? Dallas, Texas; worked in downtown Dallas and lived 6 miles north of there with a 15-min commute by car.

Why are you moving? Got a new job in Center City Philly and because I think I'll love to live in Center City

Where will you be working? one of the buildings in the Market West office canyon of Philly.

Have you been here yet? visited the city several times, mostly walked around all areas of Center City but have also driven around further out to places like Manayunk, KoP, etc.

Will you buy or rent? Definitely rent to begin with.


If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend?



If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft?
Ideally, an apartment.

How much can you spend? About $1200, perhaps a hundred more.

Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up? Either; what matters is unit layout and modern amenities.

Are you married or single? Do you have children?
Single, early 30s male, no kids.


Do you prefer public or private schools?
n/a


Do you have pets? No, but I wouldn't mind dating a gal who had a cat or a dog...

Do you want or need a yard? Don't need one.


Are you keeping a car? Tough question...still trying to deal with it. How much would car parking cost me? Insurance? I might just sell it depending on how much more it might cost me or give me headaches with the parking situation.


Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? Definitely bustling activity, but want to come home to a quiet place...so perhaps a highrise unit many floors above a happening street scene? Or a walk-up in a residential street that's only a block or two away from the said happening street scene?

What do you want to be closest to?
Work
Shopping
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.)
Nightlife
Train or subway stations
If I must ditch my car, I need to be closest to work, basic services and nightlife; a few blocks walk to a nearest train or subway stop is not a problem.

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood?
Definitely want to be among 20 to 30-something single professionals like myself...or grad students, intellectual types... race, religion, sexual preference don't matter to me.

Coke or Pepsi?
How 'bout rum and coke?

[a75206]

Any reviews for Philadelphia Management, the guys who have so many apartment buildings in the areas of town that I'm considering... west of Broad, near Ritt/Fit and Logan squares.

Also, 18 page views but no replies. hmm don't be bashful now! I may be moving from Dallas but I'm no Cowboys fan, you know. hehe

[Marius Pontmercy]

Living in Philly is going to be a lot different than Dallas, I would imagine (since I've never visited Dallas) that your patterns of commuting and just general lifestyle would change. The areas of Center City you mentioned are some of the densest, most walkable urban landscape in the country. You could also move to the Northern Liberties or Queen's Village in that price range, still be in the thick of things as far as night-life and culture go, and find a place to park your car if you really really really need to bring it. Otherwise, a car can be more of a hindrance in Center City.

[solibs]

The price of parking really depends on what 'hood you're looking in and what sort of space it is. It can be $100 a month or $200 a month or more.

You're smart to want to live close to work but you're not going to find a posh Texas spread in your price range in the part of town you're looking in. Not unless you double up.

(FYI - Queen Village is singular and not possessive, it's named after Queen St. which bisects the neighborhood)

[Jfoldno7]

If you want to keep your car you may want to look at rentals in Manayunk, Mt. Airy, and East Falls. The parking in Manayunk is a pain but some rentals come with parking provided. Mt. Airy and East Falls are generally easier for parking. I've never had a problem parking within a block of anywhere I was visiting in either area. All of the neighborhoods I named would give you easy train access to center city while keeping you a little outside of the ultra dense areas.

Demographically you will find younger crowds in Manayunk, Northern Liberties, East Falls and West Mt. Airy.

[Marius Pontmercy]

Originally Posted by solibs

(FYI - Queen Village is singular and not possessive, it's named after Queen St. which bisects the neighborhood)

dunno why I never noticed that before

now I feel embarrassed, I've been saying that for the last two years