Philadelphia, the most historic city in the United States, is also an ever-evolving cultural and artistic hub. Everyone, from season pass sports fans, to art student hipsters, to ambitious working parents, will find something that makes them proud to call Philly home.
Cost of Living
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Philadelphia, the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the country, offers all of the big city amenities without all the big city prices, with a cost of living index that’s only 5.1 percent greater than the national average according to
AreaVibes.
The downside to Philadelphia’s low cost of living is a lower median household income. The median household income for Philadelphia is lower than both the statewide and national median household income, at 29.2 percent less and 30.2 percent less respectively.
Housing
The historic city of Philadelphia offers a wide range of housing options, from tastefully maintained Victorian homes and row houses, to modern high-rise condos, at a relatively affordable median home price of $145,000.
The rental market is also an excellent option, with a 13 percent vacancy rate, a median rent of $872, and a variety of rentals available, from family run buildings and duplexes, to luxurious recently updated condos with brand new appliances and plenty of amenities.
Weather
Philadelphia experiences the classic versions of all four seasons. Winter is cold, and snowfall ranges from light to heavy depending on the year. Spring and fall are mild—the perfect seasons to lounge around Rittenhouse Square Park with a book. Summers can be hot and muggy, with temperatures in the high 80s in June, July, and August.
No matter the season, Philadelphia offers plenty of outdoor green spaces and indoor music venues and theaters that provide entertainment during any season.
Education
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The School District of Philadelphia includes all public schools in the city and is the eighth largest school district in the nation. With a student to teacher ratio of 18:1 and a high school graduation rate of 76.3 percent, the public option is a sound choice for many Philadelphia parents. Philadelphia also offers 248 private options.
There are approximately 90 colleges and universities in Philadelphia with more than 368,000 students enrolled, the most notable being the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, and Drexel University.
Outdoor Recreation
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Philadelphia’s famous Rittenhouse Square Park, a lively central hub, tends to overshadow other options, but locals know there are dozens of hidden gems.
Spruce Street Harbor Park offers a relaxing atmosphere by the water where you can lounge in hammocks on a hot summer day, while Franklin Park is family oriented, offering mini-golf and a playground.
Whether you’re walking your dog or kayaking down the Schuylkill River, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Philadelphia’s many green spaces.
Arts and Culture
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Philadelphia is a city steeped in a rich cultural and artistic history. Home to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, history buffs are sure to get their fix in this city.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art has a massive, diverse collection, and the Rodin Museum holds the largest collection of Rodin’s work outside of France. The thespians of Philadelphia are also well served by dozens of established and independent theaters. The Philadelphia Orchestra is one of the top five in the nation.
Restaurants
Source: Flickr user Stephen Kelly Photography
A mention of Philadelphia food without a nod to the famous Philly cheesesteak would be remiss. Locals have their favorite spot, but the landmark Pat’s on Passyunk Avenue is always a safe bet.
Philadelphia’s palate goes way beyond the cheesesteak though. From upscale French eateries to casual BYOB Italian spots to the Iron Chef Morimoto’s eponymous contemporary Japanese restaurant, Philadelphia’s food scene is diverse and global.
Stephen Starr’s cutting edge restaurants offer both style and substance and are local favorites.
Sports
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Philadelphia is a good city to be a sports fan. When it comes to football, baseball, basketball, and hockey, this city is covered. The Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL, the 76ers of the NBA, the Flyers of the NHL, and the Phillies MLB team are all well-funded and well-attended teams.
There are few fans more loyal or close-knit. Those who can’t shell out for tickets will have plenty of bar or home viewing invitations to fall back on.
Featured image source: Flickr user Joseph Brent
Know Philadelphia? Tell us what you like about living there in the comments below!
