Which Philly Neighborhood Should You Live In? Here’s 5 Things to Consider

Philadelphia is a city of neighborhoods and each one has its own vibe and feel. Deciding which neighborhood to live in can be tricky because there’s so many great options to choose from. It comes down to your personal lifestyle and what is going to be most convenient and affordable for you. Let’s look at 5 key things to consider when choosing which Philly neighborhood to call home.

1. Budget

The first thing you’ll need to decide is how much you can afford to pay each month for a mortgage or for a rent payment. That will determine which neighborhoods will be the right price point for you. If you have a high budget, see the 5 most expensive neighborhoods in Philadelphia to find a neighborhood that could work great for you. There are other neighborhoods a little further outside of Center City that are more affordable and have great options for first time home buyers. The best way to find out neighborhoods that you could afford to live in is by asking a trusted real estate agent.

2. Location/Commute

The next key factor is where you want to be in the city and how far you’re willing to commute to work. If you commute outside the city, you might want to be in a neighborhood that has easy access to interstates and minimal traffic. How long of a drive would you be willing to do for work everyday? If you don’t have a car and want to be able to walk or take public transportation to work, you might want to consider being close to a SEPTA station or within a reasonable walking distance. If you work from home, you might want to be close to coffee shops or other co-working spaces or be close to parks to take a nice walk on your lunch break. It all comes down to where the majority of the things in your life take place.

Photo source: Philadelphia Maps 360

3. Lifestyle

What does your lifestyle look like? Do you want to be in the midst of the hustle and bustle of a big city? Do you want to walk out your door to find tons of restaurants and bars? Maybe you want to be close to walking trails, parks and open spaces, gyms, the waterfront, active nightlife etc. Are you looking for a quiet and laid back vibe or more of a vibrant and energetic city atmosphere? Do you want to be part of a new and emerging neighborhood or a historic and long standing community? You’ll want to choose a neighborhood that has the things that are most important to you. Each neighborhood has their own feel. We are happy to tell you which neighborhoods could fit your style best.

4. Styles of Homes

Another things to consider is the type of home you want to live in. Do you want a historic townhome with lots of charm and character or a modern new construction home with all upgraded features? Each neighborhood has something different. In Center City you’ll find more older homes that are beautiful and have so much charm, but they might require more work and repairs. There’s also tons of developments of new construction homes going up, but they might be a little further from Center City.

5. School Systems

Finally, if you have kids or are thinking about having kids, you’ll want to consider the school system in the neighborhood you live in. For example, the William M. Meredith school in Queen Village is one of the most sought after in the city. Even if you don’t have kids, living in that district makes your home value go up because of such high demand. See a map of the different school districts here. Something to keep in mind is if you plan to send your kids to private schools or a magnet school, your neighborhood location won’t affect their eligibility to attend but it would affect the commute.