Friend moving to Philly. Can anybody recommend an area to live?

[Penguini66]

I have a friend that will be moving to Philly soon. He knows literally nothing about the city as far as where to live. It will be him, his wife and their newborn. They will be looking for an apartment.

He will be working a few blocks East of the old City Hall and a block or so South of Market.

Since he is moving from another big city, he'd like to use public transportation because they only have one car. They're willing to live right inside the city so work is close but they're open to anything. Recommendations greatly appreciated.

But if there is a neighborhood/area right outside the city that would be near public transportation and could get him in quickly, he'd be open to that as well.

They've been looking on Craigslist at apartments. But it is really hard to tell what is in a good neighborhood or not. Can anybody give me some guidelines as to where and where not to look? I know like any city, Philly, if you go one block in the wrong direction you can end up in the ghetto. But I know there's got to be some nice neighborhoods in the city.

Because of how far away they are, and the current costs of transportation, I will probably be tasked with picking them an apartment (for at least the first year/lease) until they get to know the area. So any help is extremely appreciated. I certainly don't want to put them in the ghetto.

[GTO-Guy]

See how long and how far he'd be willing to travel. Also, what kind of price range is he looking for?

Working near City Hall is good for public transport. All the regional train lines stop very close.

There are some nicely redone areas in the city but some are pricey.

[Evolution]

Yes I can recommend an area. Anywhere but Philly! lol

[dgg9]

I have a friend that will be moving to Philly soon. He knows literally nothing about the city as far as where to live. It will be him, his wife and their newborn. They will be looking for an apartment.

1. City Hall is where both subway lines and all regional trains come together. Mass transit will be easy.

2. If they're bringing a car anyway, then they need an apartment with assigned parking (hard to find), else a place near a monthly lot (expect to pay about $200 a month for that). There is a residential parking program, but it's very hard to use for commuters since by the time you get home from work, all street spots are usually taken, downtown.

3. What is their price limitation for housing? What are their expectations from the neighborhood (super-urban ok / not ok? ... super safe must have? etc) ..?

[dgg9]

He will be working a few blocks East of the old City Hall and a block or so South of Market.

That's basically my neighborhood (I'm a few blocks south of that). They're working at Jefferson Hospital, perhaps?

Also, what are their ages?

There are neighborhoods that are younger, more party oriented: South Street and Old City, to name two. There's nightlife there until 2 AM most nights, but they're both within about 12 blocks of the job.

Rittenhouse is an affluent neighborhood, also about 10 blocks away.

Some nice inner ring small cities that are right on the regional rail = Manayunk, Glenside, Jenkintown. All have some hipster places, yet are safer and more suburban than downtown.

Basically any area within downtown will be pretty safe.

[LorDiego01]

I live in Haverford, which has very easy transportation into the city, and its most definitely the rich area (we live in the ONLY affordable apartment building in the area!. Its about 25 minutes west of downtown. We are moving out in a month or two, the price is right, the apartment & landlord are GREAT. And there is at least one other apartment available.

PM me if you think your friend may be interested. I cannot stress enough just how beautiful and safe this area is.

[Driver400]

I live up in the far Ne part of the city, close to the Phila NE Airport. Very good area here as far as the city goes. There are apartments for rent in the area. Public transportation is available (both the bus and septa trains)

[DEMO]

Yeah I would say the north east area. Its nicer and less expensive. I live in the fishtown section and abandoned houses go for $80,000. With casino's comming this area has gone through the roof in $$. North east as many different types of people from all over the world and can be a fun place to live and play.

[Penguini66]

Frist, thanks for the quick replies.

See how long and how far he'd be willing to travel. Also, what kind of price range is he looking for?

I just spoke to him on the phone. They're thinking that they'd like to live close to downtown a first. At least for the first year or so.

They're thinking somewhere around $1000 or under per month as a target range for now.

Yes I can recommend an area. Anywhere but Philly! lol

Well I'd agree but I can tell you it is 100% better than where he is coming from. Try Chicago.

1. City Hall is where both subway lines and all regional trains come together. Mass transit will be easy.

2. If they're bringing a car anyway, then they need an apartment with assigned parking (hard to find), else a place near a monthly lot (expect to pay about $200 a month for that). There is a residential parking program, but it's very hard to use for commuters since by the time you get home from work, all street spots are usually taken, downtown.

3. What is their price limitation for housing? What are their expectations from the neighborhood (super-urban ok / not ok? ... super safe must have? etc) ..?

Great info!
They're looking in the $1,000 range. After talking with him, they're thinking of staying in the city close to work for at least the first year until they can decide exactly where they want to end up. Urban is OK, but just not ghetto.

That's basically my neighborhood (I'm a few blocks south of that). They're working at Jefferson Hospital, perhaps?
Not a hospital but a restaurant. I'll give you one more guess?

Also, what are their ages?
Late 20's

There are neighborhoods that are younger, more party oriented: South Street and Old City, to name two. There's nightlife there until 2 AM most nights, but they're both within about 12 blocks of the job.
With the newborn, I'm thinking less party oriented.

Rittenhouse is an affluent neighborhood, also about 10 blocks away.

Some nice inner ring small cities that are right on the regional rail = Manayunk, Glenside, Jenkintown. All have some hipster places, yet are safer and more suburban than downtown.

Basically any area within downtown will be pretty safe.

Again, thanks for the great info. Just another reason to love PAFOA.

I live in Haverford, which has very easy transportation into the city, and its most definitely the rich area (we live in the ONLY affordable apartment building in the area!. Its about 25 minutes west of downtown. We are moving out in a month or two, the price is right, the apartment & landlord are GREAT. And there is at least one other apartment available.

PM me if you think your friend may be interested. I cannot stress enough just how beautiful and safe this area is.

Thanks, I'll pass on the info.

Again, thanks to everyone who responded so quickly. I passed along the link to this thread. Hopefully he'll sign up and respond himself

[marinakorp]

Depends on what he is looking for ... and their budget

There a re some nice apartments in OLD CITY philadelphia

PAPERMILL to be one of them... with parking for some apartments (additional $$)... parking is a premium.

http://www.papermillapartments.com/index.html

There are quite a few nice apartments 12th and Pine... not too far from Jefferson

A friend lived in the city (12th and Pine) and had a private garage... had to walk a few blocks to get to the garage... nice place to live, close to everything