# Where to live in Philadelphia? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 13, 2012, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-live-in-philadelphia/625008 "2012-06-13T12:52:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-live-in-philadelphia/625008/21 "2012-06-15T15:49:06Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > What’s MOVE? [MOVE](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOVE) As noted in the previous post, not the news topic they once were. ---
**Author:** ![Amasia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Amasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amasia)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-live-in-philadelphia/625008/22 "2012-06-15T15:49:43Z")
I’m going to sneak into this thread and ask for any other advice on living in Philly. I will be starting work at Penn in August and am trying to figure out the best place to live with a bike-able commute. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-live-in-philadelphia/625008/23 "2012-06-15T16:35:10Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > If you want to live in the Western Suburbs… well… someone needs to offer a valid reason for this. I don’t get it. Seriously, the Philly burbs offer nothing but a commute. I can’t speak for the city–I left in 1975 and it has changed a lot since then (those damned skyscrapers, for one thing). But I can still sing the praises of those western suburbs. If you live along the Paoli Local stops (Merion, Narberth, Wynnewood, Ardmore, Haverford, Bryn Mawr) you will barely need your car. Lots within walking distance, good shopping, great apts. for rent, some gorgeous old buildings (some going back to the early 19th-c., others terrific art deco). I love the Main Line–it’s what suburbs \*should \*be. But if you want to live in the city, I can only give you 1960s/70s advice . . . ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-live-in-philadelphia/625008/24 "2012-06-16T05:20:24Z")
I’m moving to Spruce Hill in West Philly on the 22nd, and I am really excited to be there. It’s one of the cutest neighborhoods in the city IMO, and affordable (I make… almost nothing). I am only subletting for the summer, come September I will need a new place, and I am going to be looking mostly in the same area (University City/Spruce Hill), and in South Philly as well. Both have many reasonably safe and attractive areas (and rentals), lots to see and do, are easy to travel via public trans and bicycle, and many of my friends have or are moving there. If I had complete freedom to choose, I especially love much of Chestnut Hill and Mount Airy, but I don’t drive a car and due to my work situation it just wouldn’t be feasible. Fairmount and Northern Liberties have fun stuff to do, I go there, but rentals are expensive, and they aren’t the safest. I do like East Falls and Manayunk, they are safe and cheap and fairly attractive. My boyfriend lives in the former, my best friend in the latter, so I find myself traveling there regularly… but they’re just not centrally located. Manayunk is bro central, plus if you drive a car parking is IMPOSSIBLE. My friend spends more time at home than she should because she doesn’t want to lose her spot! I’ve lived in Montgomery County for the last 10 years - some of that time right outside the Fox Chase/Rhawnhurst area of Northeast Phil, some of it a bit farther from the city limits. It’s pretty cool, for the burbs. I am not a big fan of Northeast Philadelphia though… as a carless 20-something. Some of the residential areas are quite nice but it mostly just feels like a big, boring burb to me - but with city wage tax. No thank you. I have never heard anyone call Conshohocken ‘Conshy’, boy do I wish I had though! ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-live-in-philadelphia/625008/25 "2012-06-16T09:59:10Z")
I am no Philadelphian, so this is not intended as advice to the OP – especially regarding price range. But I had to mention that my family and I just last week sent a delightful day in the Bella Vista neighborhood, an extension of Society Hill in Center City Phila. The neighborhood seemed rather like NYC’s Greenwhich Village used to be, but less pretentious, more kid-friendly (but lots of 20-somethings as well), low-key, and funky yet quite safe. Just thought I’d point this out. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-live-in-philadelphia/625008/26 "2012-06-16T20:14:22Z")
> [@cjepson](#): > > What’s your tolerance for commuting? If you don’t mind a 30-45 minute commute, try Chestnut Hill, West Mt. Airy, or Manayunk/Roxborough. These are all neighborhoods in the northwest part of the city. Chestnut Hill is the furthest away and is kind of upper-class; West Mt. Airy is just to the south of Chestnut Hill and is sort of genteel-bohemian. Manayunk/Roxborough is more or less an old mill town that has turned semi-hip. My son lived in Philly for two years and he bought a house in Mt. Airy. He bought a 4 BR house for around $200,000 (about ten years ago) and sold it for about the same. He was about two blocks from the Chestnut Hill train on SEPTA (Allen Lane stop, I believe) and about five from a stop on the Chestnut Hill East train, which means he was at 16th and Market in maybe 20 minutes. It was a mixed race neighborhood and has been for at least 50 years. The description as genteel-bohemian is probably pretty accurate. A friend of mine lives in an apartment overlooking Rittenhouse Square, but that would be much more expensive, but that’s where I would choose to live if I were in Philly and could afford it. ---
**Author:** ![Amasia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Amasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amasia)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2012, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-live-in-philadelphia/625008/27 "2012-06-17T19:14:18Z")
> [@rhubarbarin](#): > > I’m moving to Spruce Hill in West Philly on the 22nd, and I am really excited to be there. It’s one of the cutest neighborhoods in the city IMO, and affordable (I make.. almost nothing). I am only subletting for the summer, come September I will need a new place, and I am going to be looking mostly in the same area (University City/Spruce Hill), and in South Philly as well. Both have many reasonably safe and attractive areas (and rentals), lots to see and do, are easy to travel via public trans and bicycle, and many of my friends have or are moving there. Yeah, that’s the area I think I’m heading to as well (going apartment-hunting this weekend). I was looking for a place that reminds me of my beloved Takoma Park, MD or Madison, Wi and this seems to fit the bill. I hate that Philly landlords want you to pay 3 months rent upfront- very annoying! ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2012, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-live-in-philadelphia/625008/28 "2012-06-17T19:53:12Z")
i live in fairmount, it is a good neighbourhood. most of the crime, unfortunately is muggings. it is a very walkable neighbourhood with lots of restaurants. the rates for renting are 900+ for a studio, 1 bedrooms can go to 1500. houses are around 250,000 up to 7 million (that would be a stand alone brownstone mansion). condos go from 125,000 for studio up to 500,000 for 3 or more bedrooms. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2012, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-live-in-philadelphia/625008/29 "2012-06-18T00:48:16Z")
> [@Amasia](#): > > I was looking for a place that reminds me of my beloved Takoma Park, MD or Madison, Wi and this seems to fit the bill. What a coinkidink! I’m in Takoma Park now. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2012, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-live-in-philadelphia/625008/30 "2012-06-18T01:07:34Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > What a coinkidink! I’m in Takoma Park now. I used to live there. I was like 1 year old, so I don’t remember anything though. But stayed in the DC area til I was 13 so I’m familiar with it. ---
**Author:** ![Amasia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Amasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amasia)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2012, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-live-in-philadelphia/625008/31 "2012-06-18T02:24:16Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > What a coinkidink! I’m in Takoma Park now. Don’t you mean TKPK 😉 Still one of my favorite places I’ve ever lived, and I’ve lived in a lot of places! ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2012, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-live-in-philadelphia/625008/32 "2012-06-18T03:10:39Z")
> [@Amasia](#): > > Don’t you mean TKPK 😉 > > Still one of my favorite places I’ve ever lived, and I’ve lived in a lot of places! It’s still a great place to live, and I’ll be sad to leave if we have to, but I do think I’ll enjoy a new town. ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2012, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-live-in-philadelphia/625008/33 "2012-06-18T04:32:26Z")
> [@Amasia](#): > > Yeah, that’s the area I think I’m heading to as well (going apartment-hunting this weekend). I was looking for a place that reminds me of my beloved Takoma Park, MD or Madison, Wi and this seems to fit the bill. I hate that Philly landlords want you to pay 3 months rent upfront- very annoying! Well hey, neighbor! 😃 And agreed.. I forget that’s not usual everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2012, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-live-in-philadelphia/625008/34 "2012-06-18T08:10:28Z")
Search several areas, not just one. I worked on Independence Mall; my apartment was 6 blocks away, less than 900$/month. Apartments of the exact same size, exact same qualities, but close to the museums, were going for upwards of 2K - and they would have meant a commute rather than a walk. If you’re going to have a car, be careful about parking conditions. They had areas where the side of the road you can park on varies by date or time of day; at the same time, in those zones I saw cars which got covered by snow and weren’t moved in weeks. Apparently the fine wasn’t high enough to justify the work of clearing out the car to tow it. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2013, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-live-in-philadelphia/625008/36 "2013-12-23T13:32:42Z")
I lived in Lansdowne for four years. It is just west of west Philly, right on both a bus and train route. ---
**Author:** ![11811](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9d8465/32.png) [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-live-in-philadelphia/625008/37 "2013-12-24T02:49:43Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Well, I’ve lived and been comfortable in both urban and suburban environments. It would be nice to be close to the interstates if I’m going to be coming down to DC once a week but that’s not really a priority. > > I guess what I’m looking for is a place in a decent neighborhood that’s not too expensive and has stuff to do within walking distance. I’m not looking for something right downtown. > > What’s the public transportation like? I’m having difficulty making heads or tails of the [SEPTA map](http://www.septa.org/maps/system/index.html). SEPTA is generally good. If you’ve riding every day, the $90 monthly pass is a good deal. ---
**Author:** ![11811](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9d8465/32.png) [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-live-in-philadelphia/625008/38 "2013-12-24T02:53:12Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Relax. My Philadelphia life ended decades ago. It’s just friendly banter between urbans and suburbans. I understand the MOVE people are much less of a concern than they were before the mayor fire-bombed them out of their original home. (Something mayors hardly ever do out in the burbs). That was actually their _ **second** _ home. Consider your Philly cred officially revoked. ---
**Author:** ![11811](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9d8465/32.png) [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-live-in-philadelphia/625008/39 "2013-12-24T02:57:36Z")
> [@Amasia](#): > > I’m going to sneak into this thread and ask for any other advice on living in Philly. I will be starting work at Penn in August and am trying to figure out the best place to live with a bike-able commute. You may as well live in University City if you’re working at Penn. My experience with University City is that it’s easier to get a bus into University City from downtown than vice versa. I’m speaking specifically about Walnut and Chestnut. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-live-in-philadelphia/625008.md?page=1)