Decent neighborhoods in Philly???

Question

My husband has a job offer in Philadelphia. We have only visited there once and do not know much about it. Does anyone know of safe, decent neighborhoods where we could rent an apartment for a year before buying? Would prefer to be in the city or near the commuter rail.

Answer 1

If you want to live within the city, I would recommend near Rittenhouse Square or Old City (approx. between the waterfront and 6th St and between Market and South Sts.). In general, any part of Center City is pretty good, but those two neighborhoods are the trendier areas right now.

There are a lot of nice suburbs. If you want to live outside of the city, but near a train, I hear Media is nice. You could also live on the NJ side, but you would want to live near the PATCO High Speed Line (train). It stops in lots of towns (for example, Collingswood, Haddonfield, Lindenwold). I don't live there, but Haddonfield has always looked nice to me. It has an old style downtown area with small shops and such; it reminds me of New England. The train station is near the small downtown area. Also, the public schools in the area are very highly rated (once you get outside of the general Camden area).

Answer 2

I lived in the suburbs, about 10 minutes from philadelphia, for 30 years. I loved growing up there. The nicer, decent, suburbs would include: Norwood, Prospect Park, Glenolden, Folsom (some parts of these four cities). Also: Media, Nether Providence, Springfield, etc.... Look these cities up and take a ride around. Personally, I lived in Norwood, Glenolden and Media. All great! Rent a car, get a map, and take a ride around. All are close enough to the city for a decent commute, but far enough away to still be safe.

Answer 3

If you can afford it, the Rittenhouse Square area is very nice, and it's very much in Center City. Look between South Street and Market Street, from Broad to 30th.

Queen Village is really cute, too (btw. South and Washington, from the waterfront to 6th). Lots of little tree-lined streets and cozy shops and cafes, plus you're close to south street and penn's landing if that's your kind of thing.

Also, the area surrounding 12th and Spruce is very nice. This is known as the Gay-borhood, just so you know :)

To the north of Center City is Northern Liberties...it's a pretty popular spot right now.

A little further away from CC...you might want to check out Mt. Airy/Chestnut Hill. These are really beautiful areas. Lots of old homes, etc. You can take the rail into CC from there.

There are lots of decent suburbs around Philly...I really suggest you drive around once you get there and see what strikes your fancy.

Really, most of Philly is pretty decent. You might want to avoid West Philly and some parts of North Philly. South Philly varies so much, block to block, but I really love it. Center City is probably a safe bet, but apartments can be pricey. I'd check out Craigslist, or if you can, grab the Philadelphia Weekly. They always have loads of listings.

Where are you moving from? I hope you enjoy Philadelphia! You'll either love it or hate it, but I think you'll find it has a lot of character and plenty to do. Good luck!

Answer 4

i does not say its a undesirable community. yet its the city so which you'll be able to desire to be careful everywhere you bypass at the instant. That section is busy for all time so which you have that going for you. I dont think of its undesirable yet I lived down there for a team of years. King of Prussia is a pair of one million/2 an hour away, with out site visitors. now and lower back with site visitors it may take thrice that. I take a seat worth it? i'm a Philly guy all the way born and bred in Port Richmond and surely Pats and Geno's have long gone way down hill!! Its not something yet a Steak um like steak lined in gristle and grease slapped with , out of the can, Cheez wiz. Does that sound sturdy? bypass to Tony Lukes on Oregon ave. Its safer and much extra valuable. Get the Tony Luke particular, cheesesteak. Its Killer. wish you dig the illadelph

Answer 5

Center City is probably your best bet and it's safe . There are plenty apartments and there building condos everywhere. South philly is safe only on the low numbered side. Avoid southwest , north , west , and some parts that are considered northeast but is really north.

Answer 6

rittenhouse square is a nice neighboorhood so is university city, Merion is a nice suburb of Philly they have really good schools in that area ( Episcopal Academy Waldron Mercy Academy, Merion Mercy Academy Akiba Hebrew Academy ect.) ( i go to the Episcopal Academy is is a great school but the campus is moving out to devon and i will have to transfer in 2 years.) i recommend living in the suburbs although traffic will be a problem if ur husband is going to work in the city. but he could take the train to work. most of the neighboorhood have mixed types of ppl in them, but they quite a few "gettho" neighboorhoods in Philly. as u may know know it has the highest violent crime rate in the U.S. among the top 10 largest cities but i am still here lol. but yeah we have a lot of activites here, so u would have plenty to do. yes i would really recommend renting an aparment before buying a house here though. good luck!!

Answer 7

Chestnut Hill in the city. Or try Jenkintown which is just out side the city and has a commuter rail station.

Answer 8

My step dad grew up in a great neighbor hood there, it was called Rochester or rocksborogh. something like that. i grew up in Lansdale. that's another great little city.

Answer 9

i live in center city and love it. any store you could need and tons of pretty architecture. Rittenhouse appears charming but it is rape central.