Your neighborhood is in here !

You're moving to Philadelphia, a city of neighborhoods. But which one is right for you? People from out of the Philly area are asking that very same question every single day. Ask a different person in Philly and they have a different answer for you. Who do you listen to? How do you research the neighborhoods you're interested in?

We think Philadelphia is a big city, but it's composed of small, distinct neighborhoods. Philly offers you the big New York feel, but this city does take a much needed beauty rest now and again, unlike the Big Apple. According to Wikipedia, we're the fourth largest urban city in the nation and the largest city in Pennsylvania. So, in our opinion you can still be a big fish and not get lost in the crowd. On the flip side, if you want to get lost, there are so many fantastic neighborhoods to choose from, 87 zip codes to be exact.

If you are moving into the Philadelphia area from another city, state, or country, finding the best neighborhood can be a daunting task. You can search by neighborhood here.

If you have a friend or contact who lives in the city already and has a lifestyle that is similar to yours, they might be able to give you the best heads up. Depending on your age, income, interests, and method of transportation, you should be able to narrow down the options.

Try to find the best neighborhood based on your “price point”. This is what you can and want to afford for a home whether you plan to rent an apartment or house or to own a condo or single family property in Philadelphia. If you have a bank pre-approval or an idea of what amount of money you want to spend on your new home, that will likely open up some neighborhoods and close doors to others. Let’s face it, some of us can live like the rich and famous and many of us just settle for watching the lives of the rich and famous on TV.

Once you narrow down what neighborhoods or zip code you can afford, you can cut that list to the subdivisions that meet your most important needs. My guess would be if you are a single person into the social scene, you’d be gravitating toward the hip and progressive neighborhoods like Northern Liberties, Fishtown, the Art Museum, and Passyunk Square. If you have kids and your family is your biggest priority, then finding a neighborhood that provides a public or private school that you like for your children will certainly impact what neighborhood you choose.

One of the best ways to research neighborhoods is through local blogs. Make sure what you're reading is current. You might read an article about a Philadelphia neighborhood somewhere that was written years ago and is no longer up to date. Change happens quickly in Philadelphia neighborhoods, so if someone you know visited Port Richmond a couple of years ago and gave a less than glowing review, don't take their word for it. Do the research and come to your own conclusion. Plan a trip and visit so that you can get a feel for the area. Try to hit as many neighborhoods as you can on your home-scouting tour.

There are many great neighborhoods in Philadelphia and with a little exploration, there will be one that is absolutely perfect for you. If you can determine a price point that makes you comfortable and then identify what factors are most important to you in a neighborhood you will be able to collect the names of a few good neighborhoods and do a little more research about them. I am certain the web can lead you to some answers and open up a few new opportunities for you. Oh and of course, find a knowledgeable Realtor that knows the area you are looking. A Realtor can have a wealth of information about buying, renting, and living in Philadelphia. Please visit my blogs offering 3 Tips For Relocating.