The city of Philadelphia has one of the most popular nicknames in the country. It is well known as the “city of brotherly love” but what many people do not realize is that Philadelphia is not only Pennsylvania’s largest city but also the second most populous city in the northeast and the sixth most populous city in the entire nation.
Philadelphia is a treasure trove of many things and if you are relocating here from somewhere far away it may quickly get overwhelming trying to find the best spot to settle into and feel like one of the locals. This is why we have compiled a list of top tips for relocating to Philadelphia to help you get started on your move to one of America’s best big cities.
Make a Personal List
Before you begin getting to know the city of Philadelphia and its major workings it is a good idea to sit down and write out some things you hope to find in your new neighborhood and home. Ask yourself what are some daily comforts you enjoy now that you don’t want to give up when you move. Do you enjoy being able to walk to a nearby coffee shop? Do you prefer a home with a large main bedroom suite? Do you prefer to live five minutes from where you will work? Do you prefer to drive your own car everywhere or do you hope to utilize other transportation? Do you need to be near a large public park that allows you to feel like you have escaped the city for a little while?
Learn all you can about Philadelphia’s neighborhoods
Whether you are moving within the Philadelphia city limits or are considering a mainline area suburb or somewhere else in the greater Philadelphia area learning about every neighborhood within that area is important to finding the portion of Philadelphia that you will actually want, and enjoy, to live in.
There are countless different neighborhoods within Philadelphia and its surrounding suburban areas. To get the most in-depth insight into these areas please head over to our communities page. This portion of the blog will give you an extensive insight into different areas of Philadelphia and a snapshot of what it is like to live there.
Calculate the cost of living
Philadelphia is a very diverse area and as such there are many different price points across this large portion of Pennsylvania. It is a good idea to look into the cost of living to help you get the most accurate feel for a comfortable budget and where you can not only enjoy living but also afford to live in or around the city.
To find the current average cost of living in an area you are interested in settling it is a good idea to pull up cost of living calculators in your web browser. Use a couple of different ones to get the most accurate estimation of what you can expect to spend on housing and daily expenses.
Ready to Move? Get our buyers brochure here: Buyer’s brochure page
Transportation
Philadelphia has a very developed transportation system, from buses, and trains, subways and trolleys, to Uber and plenty of roadways to get you where you want to go on your own.
If you plan to use public transportation you want to learn about the routes and how long they will take to get you to areas you plan to frequently go. If your plan is to utilize your car to get you where you need to go it is good to know that there are many roadways in Pennsylvania with tolls. The best way to navigate frequent tolls is to purchase an EZ Pass. You will save money, can easily replenish your balance, and won’t have to scramble to find cash and make your trip longer.
Find a Real Estate Agent
When you have a good idea about the area of Philadephia you want to settle into make sure to hire an expert local agent to help you pinpoint a home with everything you are looking for. An agent who is local to Philadelphia will be able to make your search even easier and shave much of the time and headache from finding your ideal home on your own.
If you are relocating to Philadelphia please contact me. I am happy to help you gain insight into Philadelphia neighborhoods and discover homes that meet your wants and needs in those areas. Contact me anytime for all your Philadelphia real estate needs.
