My finacee's company is opening a branch in South Jersey, so we thought this to be a wonderful opportunity. We are currently from New York, Long Island, or the place where you can't find a 2 bedroom apartment for less than 1300, even in one of the crappier towns. When we started to look at the rent in Philly, we couldn't get over it. I still can't get over it. We will be moving in the next few months, and are plans are to rent a two bedroom house in Bella Vista or Queen Village. I still cannot get over the fact that there are two bedroom houses for rent in the 900 dollar range. This area seems like the perfect place to live for us. We can't stand Long Island, and have been dying to move to a more artistic, cultured location. I really wish I was moving tomorrow! If there are any general tips/advice anyone has, I'd greatly appreciate it-- Whether it's where to get the best meal, the best streets to live on, the streets not to live on, or resources where we can look for houses for rent. Thank you everyone!!

What part of NY are you moving from? And how heavy of a sleeper are you?

I ask, because I live in Old City, which is a great, artsy neighborhood. With a VERY VIBRANT nightlife. If you are okay with this, you may be able to find some good deals south of Market Street. Old City is very close to the Ben Franklin Bridge.

I'm from Bellmore-- It's in Nassau County on Long Island.

One time, when I lived with my parents, they had a mattress delivered in the room next to mine, then my dad vacuumed the whole house, and I woke up awhile later, never knowing that any of it took place. So in answer to your question, I sleep quite heavily.

And lastly, blue curacao is one of my favorite liqueurs. :droool:

Pink--welcome! Cool you're moving here. You'll find many of us at one point lived in NYC. I spent two years in Union Square in Manhattan. Yes, everything is cheaper here. Queen Village is nice. Just steer away from the places that make you pay for rental listings. They're really bad. They not only do not have the rentals they advertise to get you to pay them for, but their "money back" policies are not really worth the paper they're written on. Anyway, check out craigslist. There's some amazing rentals on there. There are a lot of great neighborhoods in Philly--Society Hill, Washington Square, the "gayborhood" near 12th and Locust (which is somewhat cheaper than other areas but really a neat area), Rittenhouse...and a ton of great restaurants. If you follow Eldondre's restaurant recommendations, you'll be good to go. (Check out Food & Drink). In terms of usual rents in this area, I can't help out--haven't ever rented in the city. The good news is that homeownership is actually feasible here--as opposed to NY where everyone is a perpetual renter.

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Resident of Fishtown, Moderator of Fish/No. Libs/Kenzo forum, Real Estate Agent-Prudential Fox & Roach

You can also check out chestnut hill, another cool place in philly, roxborough, manayumk..

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I'm originally from LI & moved to Philly over 15 years ago. I love it here! I did live in Old City, which was great and now live in Queen Village.

If you're looking for rentals, I suggest using the Philadelphia Weekly. You can see the listings on line at http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/?i...eds&type=1.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I really enjoy the city & am happy to share any information re: things to do, places to eat, what's going on in the different areas of the city etc.
I sell real estate in the city, but I don't find that we get as many rental listings, although we do get some. If you do need any information, please feel free to call me (215) 521 1618.

Enjoy the city!

Check out www.craigslist.org - it has a lot of good apartment listing. Also the best of craigslist is hilarious.

amazing how old threads get brought forward. Hopefully, PinkSoil has made her move - wonder where one goes from Bellmore.

But Steph - where on Long Island . . . and where in OC. With those years in OC, we probably bumped into each other during my fourteen years over there.

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“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” - Jane Jacobs