Living in Philadelphia
Welcome to Philadelphia - the city where Rocky ran the steps, where Benjamin Franklin punked the Brits, where Hall met Oates, and where the rivers flow golden with Cheese Whiz and freedom. This is where America was born, so have a pint for patriotism and learn something new about the City of Brotherly Love.
Everyone knows a little bit about Philadelphia, but it’s so much more than the clichés. Sure, you’ve got the Liberty Bell, the Rocky Statue, and the famous Philly Cheesesteak. But, you also have the iconic Eagles Stadium with its raving-mad “birds” fans. There are the world-class museums and low-key dive bars. Hoagies and “wooder” ice and ice cream with “jimmies” on top. And of course, there’s that famous Philly attitude: quick, brash, a little in-your-face, but mostly just genuine. However, beyond the b-roll footage and stock images of Philadelphia is an ever-evolving culture as varied as the country it helped create.
Philadelphia was founded in 1682, making it one of the oldest cities in America. You can see the centuries when you walk its cobblestoned streets. Historic structures share the skyline with modern high rises, office buildings, museums, and residences. You can see live music in centuries-old haunts where American spies worked for the revolution. You can visit the home of Betsy Ross and then take a stroll to meet her newest neighbors, which include a variety of independent art galleries, record stores, rooftop bars, subterranean speakeasies and family-friendly beer gardens.
The latest evolution of Philly culture includes artfully remodeled mills and historic buildings, revitalized neighborhoods, newly-built parks, designer boutiques, and eclectic eats. Meanwhile, both lifetime Philly locals and the newest Philadelphians are still enamored with the city’s cultural roots, including Reading Terminal Market, the Italian Market, Chinatown and Germantown. History and culture are jammed into every nook and cranny, making it a great place to live, where there’s always something new to discover.
landmarks
Landmarks in Philadelphia include the Philadelphia Zoo, the Walnut Street Theatre, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Franklin Institute Science Museum, the Liberty Bell Center, the Betsy Ross House, the Theatre of Living Arts, the Edgar Allen Poe Historic Site, and the Johnson House (where Harriet Tubman hid with the Quakers of Germantown). Many of Philadelphia’s parks, streets and squares are historic sites as well, including Rittenhouse Square, Fairmount Park, and Society Hill. Meanwhile, modern landmarks include Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens as well as some 2,000+ murals located throughout the city.
activities
There is never nothing to do in Philadelphia. In the summertime, Philadelphians enjoy the sunny weather in pop-up beer gardens that bring food trucks and craft brews to lush parks like the Schuylkill Banks, the Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, and Belmont Plateau. Summer concerts are held along the waterfront, and the temporary park at Spruce Street springs to life with colorful hammocks, ping pong tables, cold drinks and delicious food served-up on the floating restaurant. Then there’s Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest, where you can put-put, skate, play arcade games and enjoy the riverside with friends. In the cooler months, RiverRink Winterfest takes the cake, and the Rothman Ice Rink at Dilworth Park provides plenty of snow day activity.
Other seasonal festivals include the Italian Market Festival (where everyone is Italian for two days), Bloktoberfest (where everyone is a beer connoisseur), Pennypack Music Festival, 2nd Street Festival, Manayunk StrEAT Festival, Newbold Blues Festival, the Chinese Lantern Festival, Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival, and the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts.
Last but not least, Philadelphia is famous for its Mummers Parade, thought to be the oldest folk festival in the United States. In this time-honored, comical, and beautifully-disgraceful New Year’s celebration you can witness the city at its best.
transportation
Getting around in Philadelphia is a breeze. Uber, Lyft, public transportation and cabs make it easy to commute cheaply. The Southeastern Public Transportation Authority, or SEPTA, runs bus routes, trolleys, subways and trains throughout Philly and its suburbs. Plus, a network of walking trails, parks and sidewalks provide plenty of pedestrian-friendly routes.
sports
Philadelphians are some of the most passionate sports fans in the country. Possibly the world. In fact, fans were so rowdy in the 90’s that the Eagles had a courtroom and a jail installed at the old Veterans Stadium. And in 2008, Phillies fans left behind a scene of broken beer bottles, overturned vehicles and broken store windows after winning the World Series. Phillies fans are intense, but just wait until you witness the wrestling scene in Philadelphia, where excitement is always on the verge of a riot.
At any rate, if you’re going to live in Philadelphia then you’d better know your teams: The Eagles (NFL), the 76ers (NBA), the Flyers (NHL), and the Phillies (MLB).
weather
Philadelphia winters see plenty of freezing temperatures, with some days dipping as low as 10 degrees fahrenheit. Light snowfall is common, with the occasional snowstorm dousing the city in white. In the summertime, temperatures usually sit around 80 degrees, however mid-summer heat waves can send the mercury rising up into the 90’s.
company headquarters
Technology, telecommunications, healthcare, and business are going strong in Philadelphia. Major corporations with headquarters here include Comcast, Pep Boys, Vishay Intertechnology, Urban Outfitters, Unisys, Ametek, Sungard, Campbell Soup, and Fuji Advanced Sports.
Rent Trends for Apartments in Philadelphia
| Bedroom count | Philadelphia | vs Last Month |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,195 |  down 0.42% |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,495 | No change |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,790 | down 0.56% |
| 3 Bedroom | $1,950 | down 2.50% |
| 4 Bedroom | $2,400 | No change |
Neighborhoods in Philadelphia
South Philly
Center City
University City
Chinatown
Rittenhouse
Logan Square
Manayunk
Brewerytown
Fishtown
Chestnut Hill
Fairmount
Point Breeze
East Falls
Roxborough
Society Hill
Passyunk
Renting an Apartment in Philadelphia
Philadelphia housing options range from studio apartments to modest one and two bedrooms to historic townhomes to luxury high rises and everything in between. Cheap apartments in Philadelphia aren’t hard to come by, but there are a few things to keep in mind when renting in The City of Brotherly Love.
Price
When it comes to apartments in Philadelphia, most places cost around $1K per bedroom. That being said, budget-minded renters can find studio apartments, one bedrooms and two bedrooms in older neighborhoods where the real estate runs from gritty to charmingly vintage. (Just be sure to confirm your rental is free of lead paint!)
Parking
Free parking is hard to find in Philly, especially in the city center. If you own a car, then be sure to clarify the parking policy for your apartment and the streets surrounding. It is typical for an apartment complex to offer residents at least one parking spot and one guest spot, however some places only offer street parking.
Safety
Streetwise renters can get in on up-and-coming neighborhoods where low rental rates coincide with really cool cultural surroundings. Meanwhile, family-friendly neighborhoods are aplenty if you do your research. Start by perusing our neighborhood guide and then spend a little time in your future ‘hood.
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Top Neighborhoods in Philadelphia
Apartment Types in Philadelphia
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