Philadelphia, I need a place to live

My former home in Philadelphia on the 3300-block of North Park Avenue.
My former home in Philadelphia on the 3300-block of North Park Avenue.

I am moving to Philadelphia.

Back to Philadelphia. So, I am looking for a home. Another home.

For two years, I lived on the bottom floor of a row home in the 3300-block of North Park Avenue in the Lower Tioga neighborhood of North Philadelphia.

I walked to the Allegheny stop on the Broad Street line. I had a 15-minute bicycle ride to Center City. I had a big bed, a tall ceiling and a full kitchen. I never paid more than $400, utilities included. I didn’t pay for water.

That’s not happening again. I’m just trying to remind myself I was spoiled and now that I am a big, old, adult what I need in a home has changed somewhat.

I may look to live on my own. I actually like roommates. I’ve had good luck with them, but timing is important here.

I want a living room, a common room to sit with people that isn’t my bedroom and isn’t my kitchen, as it was in the 3300-block.

I still want to be able to walk to a subway line, be connected by bus and be able to bike to Center City. I’d like to live in a neighborhood that other people might want to visit, but still has some character.

Well, while I’m at it, I’d like at least one bar and one restaurant to which I can walk and might actually want to patronize. …I want a tab and be able to order “the regular.”

I want diversity, not just race, but religion and age, particularly. No student pads.

I don’t want to be in the sphere of influence of Temple University, my alma mater, which extends generously, at least north of Girard and west of Front Street by my estimation.

I’m working on the job front and trying to rewarm my freelancing, but now I need a place in which to do it. This young journalist has to have a home. Anyone have any advice, suggestions or ideas?

7 thoughts on “Philadelphia, I need a place to live”

  1. ugh i miss it so much. it’s killing me. & yes, we were spoiled brats living for so cheap. i will always ALWAYS love the true north philly.

  2. I’d recommend Fairmount and Fishtown.

    Fishtown, a little further from Center City (so count out a lot of visits from friends), but cheap – I paid $350 for my own bedroom in a clean, rehabbed row home with two roommates. The downfall was that public transportation was distant (but doable) and there aren’t many good places to eat or drink.

    Fairmount may be a little more expensive (paying $600 with a roommate), but it is within walking distance of everything you need to live—Center City, the Free Library, many many restaurants and bars, and (expensive) Whole Foods. If you have a bike, it’s a great central location to avoid paying for public transportation.

    I’ve enjoyed living in both neighborhoods, but each has its distinct advantages. I lean towards Fairmount for convenience.

  3. Hey dude, I recommend the Bella Vista / Italian Market area –

    IMHO – it is the best value in the city. For $400 a month (if you go the roomie route) you will get a nice , comfortable living space – with all that you asked for.

    Its walkability score is the best in the city besides the Center City/ Riverside area http://tinyurl.com/5gzs8x

    Plus, its got a good mix of diversity. For further proof, check out Max Levine’s pad, or my pad – which are close to each other. We each pay around $400 a month, and I even have a bedroom and an office, as well as a living room, hardwood floors, central air, a kitchen with new applicances (garbage disposal AND dishwasher).

    Good luck.

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