What BestPlaces Users Say about Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is a vibrant and historic city known for its rich cultural diversity, iconic landmarks, and delicious food. It is also the sixth most populous city in the United States, with over 1.5 million residents. The city offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with various neighborhoods to choose from. From lively downtown areas to quiet residential streets, Philadelphia has something for everyone. However, as with any city, there are pros and cons to living here. Let's take a look at what some users have to say about their experiences living in Philadelphia.
loves living in Philadelphia and says, "I've been living here for four years now and I can confidently say that I've fallen in love with this city. The people are friendly, the food is amazing, and there's always something to do. It's also very affordable compared to other major cities." However, also mentions, "The only downside is the traffic. It can get pretty hectic during rush hour, but that's just a small price to pay for everything else this city has to offer."
On the other hand, has a different perspective and says, "I've lived in Philadelphia my whole life and I have to admit, I'm not a huge fan. The cost of living is constantly rising, and the crime rate is concerning. It's also not the cleanest city, and I wish there were more green spaces." Despite these drawbacks, does mention, "The job opportunities here are great and the public transportation system is very convenient."
has been living in West Philadelphia for two years and says, "I absolutely love my neighborhood. It's diverse, safe, and has a great sense of community. There are also plenty of small businesses and restaurants to support." However, adds, "I do wish there were more affordable housing options in this area. Rent prices are definitely on the rise."
Lastly, shares their thoughts on living in Northeast Philadelphia and says, "I've lived here my whole life and I have to say, I really enjoy it. It's a quieter and more suburban area, but still close enough to the city for convenience. The cost of living is reasonable and there are great schools in the area." But, also mentions, "The only downside is the lack of public transportation options. It can be difficult to get around without a car."
In summary, users have generally positive experiences living in Philadelphia, citing its diverse and vibrant culture, affordable cost of living, and job opportunities. However, some mention concerns about traffic, rising cost of living, and crime rates. Overall, it seems that each neighborhood in Philadelphia offers its own unique experience, and it's important for individuals to research and find the best fit for their lifestyle and needs.
based on 139 ReviewsGet to know Philadelphia with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Philadelphia
City of Brotherly Love my ass! - 4/8/2019
I spent the worst two years of my adult life here by far. It has a very antagonist flair where the people don’t need to have a reason to harass you or by nasty. I literally worked at six different places in that two year period.....every employer nit-picked over EVERY little thing. I began to have a nervous breakdown shortly before I decided to leave.
At my apartment complex, I was told by management that I was making obscene noises while I was running on the treadmill. WTF!
It have a heavy blue-collar edge to it unlike DC and NY. Maybe the people are so angry because they live in such a crappy city.
Despite its size, I also found it clannish. It was hard to blend
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Philly has always been my home. - 2/22/2019
I grew up in Philadelphia and continue to reside here. I have lived in several different areas of the city over the years, and have watched neighborhoods change. Philadelphia used to be the fourth largest city for many years, just after New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago.. then Philly. Now Houston and Phoenix just beat us in population because they keep moving their city borders out further and further and counting that as city, where Philly has had the same geographical borders since 1854. Well if we expanded our city limits to our suburbs, we'd have an extra 8 million people. Just saying'. I don't consider those last two cities real cities anyway because if you live in a single family home and drive to work and don't have a subway system, your "city" is actually a suburb. Just saying' again. I've watched gentrification take over neighborhoods such as Fishtown and south Philly because Center City became so expensive. I remember when rent in Old City was dirt cheap. And I lived in a
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Spend your paycheck commuting - 11/1/2018
I find myself only able to get jobs 30+ min away from the city that only pay $15 or less. That's a max of 1,200 biweekly, after paying Philadelphias taxes and whatever county you find yourself working in's taxes, that comes down to about 800 every two weeks. Subtract around 50$ every two weeks for the commute to work and you are left with $750 every two weeks for all of your needs. One paycheck will probably pay your rent and thats it. Lots of contract jobs that pay you less than the job is actually
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Everyone I know is moving far away - 8/1/2018
I was born and raised in Philly. It's a who you know kind of city. Housing are collapsing, including my own home (we had to be evacuated by the fire department). They were built poorly. Jobs are here but it's who you know that gets you in the jobs. Rent is getting super high. The best thing is there are stores everywhere. Cime is crazy. My family had been victims of violent crimes multiple times. A lot of us is trying to move out. Unless you have money and can go somewhere really nice, don't move here. You will regret
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Parking - 7/28/2018
Evidently the parking garages maybe not all of them but at least the one we used in Philly has a scheme to rip the people off. We paid for parking ahead of time and had our voucher verified by the attendant and they told us to just put it in the machine when we exited that's all they told us. When we finally got the kids up through the parking garage and out of the strollers and into the car seats after having change the diapers and drove down and put our card in the slot it wanted additional $5 because we're taking more than 15 minutes to get out of the parking garage. This is clearly I just a scam to get more money out of the park. Be very careful they're trying to rip you
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Perfect Four Season Big City if you don't mind.... - 4/1/2018
Urban decay, congestion, high density, crime, and one mess of a highway-road system. The best feature of this big city is the proximity to the Jersey shore which is beautiful from mid summer to fall. It is also in some ways America's hidden big city (fifth largest actually), with NY and DC getting all the spotlight, but you can enjoy the best of those big places by a train ride away. If you get a job with a big income, don't have kids, and like old fixed up east coast row houses, there are some very nice places Downtown, just remember cars are not welcome in this place, as it was built and designed way before the car era. It is also a city where the class distinctions in America are very evident in a sad way.
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Expensive! - 12/17/2017
The cost of living numbers on here are deceiving. Philly itself is such a large city that the cheap, crime-ridden neighborhoods outweigh the safe, expensive neighborhoods, which is why $800 for a 1-bedroom gets published. Sure, you can find a 1 bedroom for that price but in a very unsafe neighborhood! To live in the safest neighborhood - Center City - you will pay $1200 (without a washing machine) to about $1800 a month. This is in a row home with zero amenities. Also no parking if you have a car. Then there are groceries. I'm in Center City, and groceries are damn expensive ($6.99/pound for chicken breasts) unless you drive into another part of the city to shop at Aldi. Oh, and if you have kids, prepare to spend $2000/month on full-time child care (for 1 kid!). Philly has some great stuff too, just don't rely on websites like these to make your decision. Actually take a look at housing on websites like Trulia, etc. so you get the whole
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