r/philadelphia • u/AutoModerator • 3d ago

General Moving Mondays - New Resident Questions

Thinking of Moving to Philly or recently moved to the area? Ask your Questions Here!

6 Upvotes

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u/snailslicker 2d ago

Was hoping to move to Philly from Salt Lake City - my dream is to sell my car and only use public transit. Curious what locals think of this plan?

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u/Oracles_Anonymous 2d ago

It’s definitely possible and can save you a lot of money. I recommend checking Walkscore and SEPTA transit routes when choosing where to live. If you’re moving soon, you should check if the transit route will still be there after the planned January cuts, just in case they do go through.

Although honestly, I suggest you also consider biking as a supplemental form of transportation, since that can also make it a lot easier to live car free in Philly (it can help fill gaps in transit + be faster). Plus it’s a great way to see the city and exercise just by doing regular errands. If you’re interested in that, you can also check where the bike routes are when you’re choosing where to live. The bikeshare system (Indego) is decent if you want to try without buying a bike yet.

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u/snailslicker 2d ago

Thank you so much for the tips!

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u/Christinamh 2d ago

If you're along a strong septa line (bus, sub, trolley) yeah it's feasible. We are also super freaking walkable.

We are going through a transit crisis right now, but more people to help use public transit, the better.

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u/snailslicker 2d ago

Thank you! Walkability is also important

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u/grufferella 17h ago

I live in West Philly and get by just fine on septa and my bike for almost everything, but I do borrow a friend's car for a big grocery run every few weeks. If I did have a car the biggest difference it would make in my life is that I'd be able to go do outdoorsy stuff more often-- it's pretty tough to get to a proper mountain for hiking or to a nice beach for swimming from here using just public transit.

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u/snailslicker 17h ago

Thanks for this!

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u/snailslicker 2d ago

Any ideas why I’m getting downvoted? Would love some context!

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u/selia15 2d ago

Someone (or a bot) regularly goes through and downvotes all the comments on these posts each week. No idea why 

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u/snailslicker 2d ago

Haha interesting, thanks for letting me know!

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u/Zfusco 1d ago

I wouldnt bank on regional rail if you value your time at all, so pick somewhere on a subway or direct bus route.

I was in west philly with no car for several years, that was pretty easy. Would be the same in much of center city. Would be a bit of a nightmare in germantown, manayunk, etc.

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u/snailslicker 17h ago

Thank you!

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u/hello-rosie 3d ago

Is it a bad time to think about moving to Philadelphia or buying a house there? I'm on the west coast and was planning to move to Philly (where I've lived before) but this Septa situation has really spooked me. If it goes on, and the economy weakens, I'm thinking people will leave and property values will decline so maybe it's a bad time to buy. Will be watching what happens in the coming months but wondering about my plan B if this septa situation isn't resolved quickly. Would really value your thoughts on how this will affect quality of life longer term and economics. TIA!

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u/wndsofchng06 Flying North for the.... 3d ago

I too have been looking at a return to Philly, moving back from NC. I too am worried about the long-term effects. I don't think that PA can afford to hold transit funding long-term though. A: this funding affects all transit in PA and B: Philly and Pittsburgh are the economic engines for the state. Aside from that, it may be important to note that the senate has not passed a budget at all, including school funding so I assume something's gotta give.

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u/courageous_liquid go download me a hoagie off the internet 3d ago

winds has a good answer, but I also think it's just kinda too early to tell now. we won't see a resolution until absolute earliest next week, but more likely 9/8.

if that resolution is just another temporary injection of funds and no permanent funding source, this is going to happen every like 6 months or so until the heat death of the universe when we can unseat the republican majority in senate. if it's a stable funding source, I think we'll be OK for the foreseeable future unless trump decides he's going to fuck with us (probably next year around the centennial, I'd guess, if he chooses to).

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u/passtherock- 2d ago

literally the same question I have. I was thinking of moving there but I'm scared about this Septa situation. this is truly awful..

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u/ballsonthewall Southwest Center City 3d ago

anyone got a good rec for kitchen knife sharpening in Center City?

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u/PeaAccurate5208 3d ago

This may be location dependent but Whole Foods used to sharpen two knives for free as a customer service; you dropped them off at the meat counter (they had cardboard sheaths that you would write your name & phone number on) and they’d sharpen them for you. Usually you’d have them back in a day or two. Otherwise maybe Fante’s? There was also a place at the Reading Terminal,I haven’t lived in Philly for a while,wish I could give you better tips.

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u/ballsonthewall Southwest Center City 3d ago

Whole Foods free knife sharpening sounds a little risky haha, I guess I'll have to look into it.

Thanks for your response

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u/PeaAccurate5208 3d ago

At least at my local store in CA, they did a fine job. A number of nicer markets here offer the same service as a little perk for their customers. You can sometimes find mobile knife sharpening places at farmers markets, they’re usually a bit pricey but they do it on the spot while you shop.

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u/weightcantwait 2d ago

Is it generally better to have all utilities included in rent, or pay them yourself? Also in general, what do landlords here tend to cover in general?

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u/lil_pay 2d ago

If you can find a place with utilities actually included that’s a win win

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u/selia15 2d ago

All utilities included is pretty rare, although there’s a few buildings that do it. It’s mostly seen as a win because you don’t have to worry about keeping track of those extra bills, or being careful with your utility usage. 

Otherwise landlords only really tend to cover water (if anything). Some places don’t cover anything at all, and will charge a flat fee for water (and then things like electric/gas will just be based on your usage)

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u/lil_pay 2d ago

Looking for a one bedroom apartment with over 500 ft.² in a safe/nice area would prefer closer to downtown if not Center City with parking included with a secure building if possible

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u/selia15 2d ago

Budget would help (as a note, a lot of places downtown will require a monthly income of 3x the rent) 

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u/lil_pay 2d ago

$2,100 and under

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u/Zfusco 1d ago

Parking + center city under 2100 is probably not going to happen.

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u/Ok-Application-4045 2d ago edited 2d ago

Kinda confused about the SEPTA cuts. Do they affect the Market-Frankford Line and Broad Street Line? According to the septa app those still seem to be running as they always have. Also has the night owl bus been completely eliminated? Is the G1 Trolley affected?

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u/lil_pay 2d ago

No not really just a longer wait for the trains 

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u/Ok-Application-4045 2d ago

How much longer? Seems like they still come every 10 minutes or so?

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u/TimeToHeadHome 2d ago

Hello - Does anyone live or know anyone that lives at Beach Street Landing in No Libs? Looking at apartments in the area and had a tour there. Place seems cool to me, other than it being near the highway and the other building not yet finished (they said 2 months more). Is it a good building to live in? Anything to be concerned about? Deciding between there and The Noble.

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u/fivemessymonsters 2d ago

My son (5th grade) was offered a spot at the Philadelphia Hebrew Public Academy. Our catchment school will be Lingelbach. We are out of state and I won’t have time to visit either before we need to make a decision. We’re Jewish but can’t afford Jewish day school. Should we take the spot at the charter? I’m generally against charters but I’ve heard awful things about Philly public schools.