Located close to NYC, Philadelphia is known for its friendly vibe and well-established culture. Also informally known as Philly, it is the largest city in the US state of Pennsylvania, with a population of 1,584,064. People who like to live on the East Coast but don’t want to pay the Washington, DC, or NYC prices prefer moving to Philadelphia. To make things easier for you, here is info about moving to Philly to help you decide if it is the right move for you or not.
Cost of Living
Philadelphia is one of the affordable cities in the US. If the national average of housing stands at 100, the housing cost in Philly stands at 66.3. Living here for a month costs around $2,300, which includes the following:
- Rent for a one-bedroom apartment
- Food
- Internet
- Utilities
- Transportation
The cost of living for a family of four is approximately $3,700 per month, which excludes rent. If you compare the cost of living in NYC and Philly, the latter has a 21.22% lower cost of living.
Transportation
Philly is one of the walkable cities in the US. The city is not only walkable but also bike-friendly. It has more than 140 stations and 440 miles of bike lanes. Public transport is also cheaper in comparison to other big cities in the US. The town has a comprehensive bus and rail system that can take you from one place to another.
The SEPTA City Transit Division fares are the lowest of the peer cities. The base fare is $2.50 per ride if paid in cash. If you are using an authority smart card, you only pay $2.
Employment
Greater Philly is one of the hottest job markets in the United States. The city is home to many big employers like Trinity Health Corporation, Wells Fargo, Trinity Corporation, and the US’s ten biggest legal firms. The Federal government also has a good presence in Philly, including East Coast operations of the Federal bank and the US Mint.
The city is also large employers in the education and healthcare industries. Some of the names worth mentioning are the University of Pennsylvania and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
Crime Rate
Just like other cities in the US, crime exists in Philadelphia. Check proper info about moving to Philly. Well, your chances of becoming victims of violence are 1 in 110. Unfortunately, the crime index of Philly is 8.
However, it is due to a higher crime rate in a few neighborhoods. It also depends on the districts you live in. You can stay safe by taking precautions and moving to safer areas in Philly.
Best Neighborhoods
Philadelphia has several good neighborhoods like Fishtown, Northern Liberties, the Gayborhood, and Manayunk. In the past, Northern Liberties was a bustling manufacturing hub. Due to affordable studio space and natural charm, many local artists moved to the area. Today, the place is filled with mixed-use complexes, bars, and many good facilities that attract thousands of people.
To sum up, according to new research, thousands are moving to Philly from NYC. From February to September, around 7500 people have moved to Philly. If you plan to move to Philly, make sure you go to the best neighborhoods in this historically rich city.