The Ultimate Guide to Moving and Thriving in Philadelphia

Moving to a new city is always an adventure; moving to the ‘City of Brotherly Love’ means the destination is just as great as the journey. Philly offers a rich cultural heritage and delicious food scene, and there’s quite a bit to do!

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to ensure a smooth transition and make the most of your new life in this diverse city.

Finding Your Neighborhood

When you have a large move, the first step is to find somewhere to put down roots. In the past, you would have to take several trips back and forth, perhaps sending a few faxes to your real estate agent while you tried to pick a home. These days, you can find Philadelphia homes for sale online and get a glimpse at different properties before you take your first pre-move trip. Work with your agent to create a list of properties you want to see while you’re in town—- with luck, you only need one trip to seal the deal and put an offer in on your new digs.

Old City: Where History Comes Alive

Old City is a history lover’s dream, with quaint cobblestone streets and iconic landmarks like the Liberty Bell. It’s also one of the best places in Philadelphia to find Lofts.

Fishtown: Hipster Haven

If vibrant and trendy is more your scene, head down to Fishtown for a thriving art scene and your choice of cafes, boutiques, and restaurants. You can find industrial charm mixed with spirited energy, making it a popular choice for young professionals.

University City: Where Students Thrive

University City is well-named, as it’s home to prestigious learning environments like the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University. The city offers a wide range of cultural events, cafes, and libraries; it’s a great neighborhood for students to meet and hang out or study.

Planning Your Move

Once you have planted the seeds of your new home, it’s time to make the trek again— with your family and everything you own. Relocating is quite the endeavor, whether you’re moving cross-state or cross-city.

Take Advantage of Your Agent’s Network

You most likely used a real estate agent to purchase your new home. Many real estate agents have a great community with other professionals in the moving industry. They can often introduce you to utility companies, mortgage brokers, and even moving companies! Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask.

Keep Your Essentials Handy

When you’re packing, keep your essentials like shower items, important documents, and a change of clothes in separate containers, like a small suitcase in your car. That way, if there are any delays getting the rest of your items moved in or unpacked, you have the necessities.

Navigating Philadelphia’s Public Transporation

In Philly, you can leave your car at home most days; the city has an extensive public transportation system that makes getting around the city pretty easy.

Traveling with SEPTA

SEPTA is the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. They run a vast network of buses, rail lines, and subway lines through and around Philly. If you want a hassle-free commute, don’t forget to get a reloadable SEPTA key! You can purchase and reload the card throughout the city and then use it to pay your fare on any of SEPTA’s transports.

Exploring the City by Bike

Philadelphia has an active and robust bicycling community, and riding a bike is a great way to explore the city from the streets! If you don’t have a bike of your own, you can use an Indego bike station to rent one for a leisurely ride along the Schuylkill River Trail or take a quick ride to your favorite cafe.

Soak in the Culture at Must-See Museums and Galleries

Art and culture thrive in Philly, and the city is quick to encourage full immersion. Whether you’re visiting a world-class museum or discovering one of the city’s hidden gems, you have a lot to explore. Luckily for you, putting down roots means you have plenty of time to discover every treasure the city offers.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art

Of all the museums to see, we recommend starting with this one. This iconic museum houses an extensive collection of over 240,000 masterpieces from all eras and cultures.

Barnes Foundation

Speaking of art, Philadelphia is home to one of the more impressive collections of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and early Modernist works. Each carefully curated piece is displayed in an intimate setting, creating a truly immersive experience for art lovers.

Indulge in Philly’s Food Scene

If you love all things delicious, then Philly is the city for you! The city is well known for its mouthwatering cheesesteaks and delectable soft pretzels, but there are many more delicious things to discover!

Rittenhouse Row

Aptly nicknamed Restaurant Row in Center City, this dynamic foodie paradise offers a wide range of cuisines, from farm-to-table goodness to international delicacies. You have a myriad of options to test out your taste buds.

Reading Terminal Market

You can’t miss the indoor farmer’s market with over 80 vendors. It’s one of the best places to stock up your own kitchen and experience a wonderland of mouthwatering options. There is a world of taste to discover, whether you dine in or take farm-fresh goodies home to prepare.

A Little Something For Everyone

Living in Philadelphia opens up a world of possibilities. Philadelphia is a world in its own, offering newfound adventures for sports enthusiasts, artists, academics, everyone else and all of the above. And with your new roots seeping in, you have all the time you need to soak in the options and start exploring. You’ll have new favorites before you know it.

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