Moving to Philadelphia? Good? Bad? Ugly?

Laneco · 04-10-2009, 12:45 PM

I'm considering a job in Philadelphia. This just sort of sprung up in the last few days... I've worked a few days in Philly and have to say that I was not particularly impressed with it. The only part I've seen is the airport, high rise down-town and someplace best described as hobo-stab-land...

I figure that there must be something more to Philly than that though. I'd like to take a few days and give the area a little more objective of a view. Probably wouldn't buy a house back there, just rent. If i really hate it, would sure be easier to leave.

Is Philly an expensive place to live? What are the good neighborhoods (don't mind a commute) with a good high school? How bad is the crime back there?

And most important - do they salt the roads because that will eliminate driving my uber-beater Butters all winter!

All joking - pros and cons?

angela

john walker's workshop · 04-10-2009, 12:57 PM

ever watch "cops"?

emcon5 · emcon5's Garage

http://baltimorecrime.blogspot.com/

On edit, Baltimore ≠ Philadelphia, but same difference.

Here you go: http://www.ppdonline.org/hq_statistics.php

t951 · t951's Garage

My sister went to Temple Univ. It was like going to the ghetto.

My buddy got a promotion, but it was in Philly. After 10 months of being disgusted, scared, and annoyed he moved back here.

Philly is a nasty hole.

onlycafe · 04-10-2009, 01:23 PM

i waited so as not to be the first stone caster at philadelphia. i recall it being very congested as far as trying to move around or park. i wouldn't want to live there.
on the other hand they do make a nice cream cheese.

Rich76_911s · Rich76_911s's Garage

Where would you be working? Is it a center city job or a suburb job?

Aside from center city and a few small areas (that are getting smaller) Philadelphia proper is a dump.

Crime is bad in the bad neighborhoods of Philadelphia, outside of those specific areas I'd say you are as safe here as anywhere. Temple is definetly located in one of the bad parts of the city.

If you are living in the suburbs there are a lot of really great areas, that are actually very nice. It is hard to point you in the exact direction without knowing where you are working. Congestion is a problem though. The roadways here were designed and implemented when there were a lot fewer people in the suburbs. If you are working in center city there are trains into the city from nearly every direction.

They do salt the roads here, so butters would have to hibernate during the snow. Although we get so little of it, youd really be parking butters for January and Febuary, before and after that our snow and salt exposure is random and unlikely.

Onlycafe, FYI Philadelphia Cream cheese is out of New York not Philadelphia, PA. Supposedly it was named after Philadelphia because the city was known as having the best food in the country.

We do have cheese steaks, Tasty Cakes, and hoagies though.

If you have any questions, or next time you are in town and want to meet up feel free to drop me a PM.

Like anywhere else this area has its pro's and con's. Personally I'd rather be in the west, because the general attitude is nicer, and the weather is better. I lived in Colorado for 14 years.

As a renter it won't bother you, but property taxes on the east are very steep.

Dottore · 04-10-2009, 01:47 PM

From Medford, Oregon to Philly?

I can think of no sadder move!

VincentVega · 04-10-2009, 01:52 PM

There are decent parts of the city, just like any place. Lots of suburban sprawl if you want to live in the burbs. You can spend as much as you want, there are a ton of recent developments all over the place.

You also have a great selection of tracks within a few hours.

UconnTim97 · UconnTim97's Garage

The nicer neighborhoods would be Somerton, East Falls, and Roxburough. Stay out of Center City if at all possible.

JavaBrewer · JavaBrewer's Garage

I think m21Sniper is in/around Philly. I have been there 10x or so on work. Have not seen downtown Philly but have worked in the suburbs - West Conshohocken, Fort Washington, King of Prussia, etc... Didn't seem dangerous but definitely not my cup of tea. Hook up with folks who know the area to show you around. Definitely a good call to rent vs. buy.

on2wheels52 · on2wheels52's Garage

I've visited my sister in Malvern (nw suburb) and found it pleasant enough. She was our tourmeister (does it for money also) so the downtown we saw was fine. I thought the roads a bit wonky though, they never took the same way anywhere twice.
Jim

scottmandue · 04-10-2009, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottore

From Medford, Oregon to Philly?

I can think of no sadder move!

Uh... yeah... talk about culture shock!

Rich76_911s · Rich76_911s's Garage

OH one other thing to consider if you are working in the city. Philadelphia doe have a CITY WAGE TAX. So watch out for that and how it will impact your salary. I don't know the ins and outs as I have never had to pay it, but it is something to be aware of.

Heel n Toe · 04-10-2009, 02:12 PM

You know the old joke...

1st prize in the sweepstakes is a week in Philly... all expenses paid

2nd prize is two weeks

Seahawk · 04-10-2009, 02:18 PM

Angela,

There are some really beautiful areas within commuting distance from Philly.

But as a westerner, I'm only staying east until I can return....I like it here but I'm not from here. There is a difference.

Laneco · 04-10-2009, 02:18 PM

I would be working flat out downtown on Market Street. There's a large commuter train terminal within a block or so of the workplace. I thought it might be better to live somewhere I could ride the train or ride the train partway.

Maybe I'll talk to them about a temporary position. If I find I like it (or can STAND it...) then we can consider a permanent one.

I really hate to let first impressions about anyplace put me off, so that the reason for asking you guys. I'm pretty open minded. Spent about 5 or 6 weeks in upstate New Jersey and had a wonderful time. Lovely people, great hiking, etc. Fond memories of that stay (Bergen County). I have also worked quite a bit in Virginia. I'd move to Virginia in a heart beat.

But Philly? Hmmm.... I really think I should do an indepth PPI!

angela

sailchef · sailchef's Garage

Remember the movie, Rocky? Well, I gotta tell ya, they awl tawk funny in philly.

Live in Delaware and commute (20 mins) to Philly.

m21sniper · 02:24 PM

Tell me how badly you don't want to live here, and i'll tailor the length of my message to match.

Obviously you've never read any of the wonderful things i've had to say about Philly in the past.

There are some people that love it here. I suppose if you're "well off" any big rust belt city can be 'nice' as long as you don't mind horrible traffic, horrible weather, and horrible attitudes in your civil servants.

The one upside of philly is that it's cheap to live here, except for city wage tax. They're about to crank state sales tax up to 8% too.

The suburban schools in some areas are quite good, but in other areas....not good at all.

Yes, they salt the living snot out of the roads here in the winter.

syncroid · 04-10-2009, 02:23 PM

To Philly from Medford Oregon! Are you nuts?

m21sniper · 04-10-2009, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UconnTim97

The nicer neighborhoods would be Somerton, East Falls, and Roxburough. Stay out of Center City if at all possible.

Jeez i don't consider any of those areas nice.

Nice areas would be places like Huntingdon Valley, South Hampton, Drexil Hill, places like that.

Or you can just live accross one of the many bridges that connect us to the People's Repulic of New Jermany. Unfortunately Jersey is about one step removed from a communist state....and some of it's holes are even worse than Phily.