If you’re looking to leave Virginia for the hustle and bustle of a bigger city, you can’t go wrong with Philly. Packed with history, culture, and big city charm, Philly is a phenomenal city for those looking for a welcoming new home. When you’re ready to make the move to Philly, get the support of South Philly Real Estate Team and we’ll help you find a new home in a neighborhood you’ll love.
It's about location
When you’re in Philly, you’re never far from any of the other East Coast hotspots! You can reach New York City, Washington, DC, Baltimore, Atlantic City, and Delaware in just two hours by car or by train or bus if you’d rather relax and enjoy the scenery. Of course, Philly doesn’t have the same coastal cities that Virginia does, but many of the neighborhoods still enjoy waterfront views along the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers. Virginia and Philly have pretty similar climates, with Philly getting a few inches more rain and about an inch less snow annually, so acclimating to your new home shouldn’t take too long at all.
Enjoy a more affordable home in Philly
You can expect to save money on a new home in Philly when compared to home values in Virginia, with prices being around 36% lower on average. Aside from home prices, Philly is considered an affordable city to live in, especially compared to some of our East Coast neighbors. As we mentioned, Philly is brimming with a big city feeling, in part because it is home to around 1.57 million people. Compared to Virginia’s most populous city of Virginia Beach, that’s nearly 1.1 million more people. The abundance of residents doesn’t mean that Philly is lacking in community feeling, however – there’s a reason we’re known as the City of Brotherly Love!
The Philly neighborhood perks
One of the biggest upshots of Philly is how it encourages you to move away from dependence on a car to get around – most neighborhoods have all the amenities you need within walking or cycling distance or are otherwise supported by robust bus and train lines. You might benefit from leaving the car at home more often than not, in fact, as parking can be difficult in certain neighborhoods and especially in the downtown area. You’ll find that Philly has an impressive amount of greenspace throughout the city, and you’ll want to visit Fairmount Park at least once during your Philly tenure, which supports a zoo, museums, nature trails, athletic fields, playgrounds, and more across its over 4,100 acres. Philly has a storied history to rival even Virginia’s and many of our neighborhoods still boast numerous historical monuments, buildings, and even still-operating Franklin street lamps!
The Philly neighborhood scene
As mentioned, Philly is a city brimming with history and unique culture that you won’t find anywhere else. In fact, Philly is one of the top destinations in the US for its dining options! Whether you’re a fan of Italian food, craft beer, or looking for some vegan fare, Philly will have something for you. If you’re more into the music scene, Philly supports over 40 music venues throughout its neighborhoods and also hosts two outdoor music festivals – Jay-Z’s Made in America Festival and the Roots Picnic. Public art is thriving in Philly as well, with notable examples being Keith Haring’s “We the Youth” and the mural and light installation “The Electric Street” just a block away from two of Philly’s most well-known cheesesteak restaurants (Geno’s and Pat’s).
Get a Philly neighborhood overview
150 neighborhoods and 100 suburbs can be difficult to tackle on your own, but this incredible diversity is a boon to those looking for a neighborhood that fits their exact vibe. Fill out our New Home Buyer form or call us at (215) 360-3434 and provide as many details as possible about your ideal location, and we’ll help you find the perfect fit. South Philly Team is ready to help you find the neighborhood that’ll make you feel at home.