So Philly...
03-17-09 | 01:29 PM
#26
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Philly
Powelton Village is nice and affordable if you want to go to drexel. I go to drexel, I live in by 23rd and south, which is also a nice and affordable area. West philly is definitely cheaper, but definitely not as safe.
03-17-09 | 01:56 PM
#27
partly metal, partly real
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,597
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia.
Bikes: Hummer H2
tips:
don't move to west philly. the culture there is wack. south east phila is fun, center city is fun (but tough to find a good spot for a good price; my girlfriend had a split level on 12th and pine with two decks-- one in her bedroom-- for 850 a month a year and a half ago; it now goes for a grand); no-libs is probably the best spot in the city for a young person right now, hands down. lots of places to go out, great eats, etc. fishtown is weak, but cheaper; north philly is a step up with cooler options but "sketchier" if you go too far west or north (i have a 60'x50' industrial loft for a grand).
Seriously, west phila is liveable if you go to school there, but that's really it. I lived on 45th and osage for six months and had to break my lease. My neighbors were all 19 year olds or old people who'd lived there forever. doing anything fun, even hooking up for brunch with everyone on the "mainland" is like a commute.
If you want to live somewhere great (from best, descending):
1) northern liberties
2) graduate hospital area
3) south philly, north of washington, east of 20th
4) north philadelphia south of lehigh ave, east of 7th st for warehouse and luxury lofts (the closer to front and gerard the better)
5) center city (best part of the city to live, but you'll sacrifice $ or space so it gets the downgrade)
don't move to west philly. the culture there is wack. south east phila is fun, center city is fun (but tough to find a good spot for a good price; my girlfriend had a split level on 12th and pine with two decks-- one in her bedroom-- for 850 a month a year and a half ago; it now goes for a grand); no-libs is probably the best spot in the city for a young person right now, hands down. lots of places to go out, great eats, etc. fishtown is weak, but cheaper; north philly is a step up with cooler options but "sketchier" if you go too far west or north (i have a 60'x50' industrial loft for a grand).
Seriously, west phila is liveable if you go to school there, but that's really it. I lived on 45th and osage for six months and had to break my lease. My neighbors were all 19 year olds or old people who'd lived there forever. doing anything fun, even hooking up for brunch with everyone on the "mainland" is like a commute.
If you want to live somewhere great (from best, descending):
1) northern liberties
2) graduate hospital area
3) south philly, north of washington, east of 20th
4) north philadelphia south of lehigh ave, east of 7th st for warehouse and luxury lofts (the closer to front and gerard the better)
5) center city (best part of the city to live, but you'll sacrifice $ or space so it gets the downgrade)
Last edited by sp00ki; 03-17-09 at 02:03 PM.
03-17-09 | 02:04 PM
#28
big ring
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,838
Likes: 1
From: philadelphia
tips:
don't move to west philly. the culture there is wack. south east phila is fun, center city is fun (but tough to find a good spot for a good price; my girlfriend had a split level on 12th and pine with two decks-- one in her bedroom-- for 850 a month a year and a half ago; it now goes for a grand); no-libs is probably the best spot in the city for a young person right now, hands down. lots of places to go out, great eats, etc. fishtown is weak, but cheaper; north philly is a step up with cooler options but "sketchier" if you go too far west or north (i have a 60'x50' industrial loft for a grand).
Seriously, west phila is liveable if you go to school there, but that's really it. I lived on 45th and osage for six months and had to break my lease. My neighbors were all 19 year olds or old people who'd lived there forever. doing anything fun, even hooking up for brunch with everyone on the "mainland" is like a commute.
If you want to live somewhere great (from best, descending):
1) northern liberties
2) graduate hospital area
3) south philly, north of washington, east of 20th
4) north philadelphia south of lehigh ave, east of 7th st for warehouse and luxury lofts (the closer to front and gerard the better)
5) center city (best part of the city to live, but you'll sacrifice $ or space so it gets the downgrade)
don't move to west philly. the culture there is wack. south east phila is fun, center city is fun (but tough to find a good spot for a good price; my girlfriend had a split level on 12th and pine with two decks-- one in her bedroom-- for 850 a month a year and a half ago; it now goes for a grand); no-libs is probably the best spot in the city for a young person right now, hands down. lots of places to go out, great eats, etc. fishtown is weak, but cheaper; north philly is a step up with cooler options but "sketchier" if you go too far west or north (i have a 60'x50' industrial loft for a grand).
Seriously, west phila is liveable if you go to school there, but that's really it. I lived on 45th and osage for six months and had to break my lease. My neighbors were all 19 year olds or old people who'd lived there forever. doing anything fun, even hooking up for brunch with everyone on the "mainland" is like a commute.
If you want to live somewhere great (from best, descending):
1) northern liberties
2) graduate hospital area
3) south philly, north of washington, east of 20th
4) north philadelphia south of lehigh ave, east of 7th st for warehouse and luxury lofts (the closer to front and gerard the better)
5) center city (best part of the city to live, but you'll sacrifice $ or space so it gets the downgrade)
03-17-09 | 02:05 PM
#29
partly metal, partly real
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,597
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia.
Bikes: Hummer H2
howard st and berks, the warehouses/lofts there.
easily the coolest place i've ever lived, with 16th and bainbridge coming in second (for convenience).
easily the coolest place i've ever lived, with 16th and bainbridge coming in second (for convenience).
Last edited by sp00ki; 03-17-09 at 03:40 PM.
03-17-09 | 02:55 PM
#32
Thread Starter
Bikes hella booty!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
From: Seattle
Bikes: 725TR Leader
Either way, Im stoked to move out there soon and thanks to everyone for the advice on where to go. Im visiting in April to make sure its where we wanna go. In Seattle I lived in an awesome studio for 625$ right off of the main street where all the bars/venues/restaraunts/schools are...but it went up to 700$ and I thought it was kind of ridiculous to pay that much for a tiny studio box. Now i live in ****sville Seattle, but its only 400$ for my room. Philly seems a lot less inexpensive to share a place with.
03-17-09 | 03:01 PM
#33
partly metal, partly real
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,597
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia.
Bikes: Hummer H2
it can be, but not always. i used to share a four bedroom place with one other person for $900 a month in fishtown. this is with a basement and big backyard (stay away from port richmond, though; **** is boring, and gangs of bad little kids do **** like throw rocks at girls or try to pick fights with grown men)
craigslist isn't your best bet, by the way (unless you're subletting). word of mouth is the best way to find good rentals at good prices.
also, find places or neighborhoods you like, then spend a day hanging out there, visit stores, check out stores, get a feel for what the neighborhood is actually like; drive bys don't work, and you might fail to see that the place with the gorgeous kitchen is three miles from a grocery store or has no restaurants nearby.
find a local coffee shop* and ask the barista about the area. often times, you'll get a slip of paper with an awesome landlord's number.
you'll also get a good feel for who lives in the area. what one person considers a "bad part of town" can often just be non-whites in an affordable area. Look at crime stats to get a real picture of the city (by zip code):
https://philly.everyblock.com/crime/
for example, compare east north philadelphia:
https://philly.everyblock.com/locations/zipcodes/19122/
to center city (in an upscale neighborhood):
https://philly.everyblock.com/locations/zipcodes/19107/
The upscale neighborhood has substantially more crime reported, but you'll still hear people who don't know the city complain that east of front/north of gerard is particularly dangerous (it's not).
*i seriously recommend moving only where there's a cool locally owned coffee shop within a five minute walk from your house (starbucks or bonte doesn't count). i've found that the best places to live are near locally owned coffee shops.
also find a good place for brunch (someplace that serves drinks!). once you find these two things, everything else will fall into perspective.
craigslist isn't your best bet, by the way (unless you're subletting). word of mouth is the best way to find good rentals at good prices.
also, find places or neighborhoods you like, then spend a day hanging out there, visit stores, check out stores, get a feel for what the neighborhood is actually like; drive bys don't work, and you might fail to see that the place with the gorgeous kitchen is three miles from a grocery store or has no restaurants nearby.
find a local coffee shop* and ask the barista about the area. often times, you'll get a slip of paper with an awesome landlord's number.
you'll also get a good feel for who lives in the area. what one person considers a "bad part of town" can often just be non-whites in an affordable area. Look at crime stats to get a real picture of the city (by zip code):
https://philly.everyblock.com/crime/
for example, compare east north philadelphia:
https://philly.everyblock.com/locations/zipcodes/19122/
to center city (in an upscale neighborhood):
https://philly.everyblock.com/locations/zipcodes/19107/
The upscale neighborhood has substantially more crime reported, but you'll still hear people who don't know the city complain that east of front/north of gerard is particularly dangerous (it's not).
*i seriously recommend moving only where there's a cool locally owned coffee shop within a five minute walk from your house (starbucks or bonte doesn't count). i've found that the best places to live are near locally owned coffee shops.
also find a good place for brunch (someplace that serves drinks!). once you find these two things, everything else will fall into perspective.
Last edited by sp00ki; 03-17-09 at 03:16 PM.
03-17-09 | 05:23 PM
#34
Thread Starter
Bikes hella booty!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
From: Seattle
Bikes: 725TR Leader
it can be, but not always. i used to share a four bedroom place with one other person for $900 a month in fishtown. this is with a basement and big backyard (stay away from port richmond, though; **** is boring, and gangs of bad little kids do **** like throw rocks at girls or try to pick fights with grown men)
craigslist isn't your best bet, by the way (unless you're subletting). word of mouth is the best way to find good rentals at good prices.
also, find places or neighborhoods you like, then spend a day hanging out there, visit stores, check out stores, get a feel for what the neighborhood is actually like; drive bys don't work, and you might fail to see that the place with the gorgeous kitchen is three miles from a grocery store or has no restaurants nearby.
find a local coffee shop* and ask the barista about the area. often times, you'll get a slip of paper with an awesome landlord's number.
you'll also get a good feel for who lives in the area. what one person considers a "bad part of town" can often just be non-whites in an affordable area. Look at crime stats to get a real picture of the city (by zip code):
https://philly.everyblock.com/crime/
for example, compare east north philadelphia:
https://philly.everyblock.com/locations/zipcodes/19122/
to center city (in an upscale neighborhood):
https://philly.everyblock.com/locations/zipcodes/19107/
The upscale neighborhood has substantially more crime reported, but you'll still hear people who don't know the city complain that east of front/north of gerard is particularly dangerous (it's not).
*i seriously recommend moving only where there's a cool locally owned coffee shop within a five minute walk from your house (starbucks or bonte doesn't count). i've found that the best places to live are near locally owned coffee shops.
also find a good place for brunch (someplace that serves drinks!). once you find these two things, everything else will fall into perspective.
craigslist isn't your best bet, by the way (unless you're subletting). word of mouth is the best way to find good rentals at good prices.
also, find places or neighborhoods you like, then spend a day hanging out there, visit stores, check out stores, get a feel for what the neighborhood is actually like; drive bys don't work, and you might fail to see that the place with the gorgeous kitchen is three miles from a grocery store or has no restaurants nearby.
find a local coffee shop* and ask the barista about the area. often times, you'll get a slip of paper with an awesome landlord's number.
you'll also get a good feel for who lives in the area. what one person considers a "bad part of town" can often just be non-whites in an affordable area. Look at crime stats to get a real picture of the city (by zip code):
https://philly.everyblock.com/crime/
for example, compare east north philadelphia:
https://philly.everyblock.com/locations/zipcodes/19122/
to center city (in an upscale neighborhood):
https://philly.everyblock.com/locations/zipcodes/19107/
The upscale neighborhood has substantially more crime reported, but you'll still hear people who don't know the city complain that east of front/north of gerard is particularly dangerous (it's not).
*i seriously recommend moving only where there's a cool locally owned coffee shop within a five minute walk from your house (starbucks or bonte doesn't count). i've found that the best places to live are near locally owned coffee shops.
also find a good place for brunch (someplace that serves drinks!). once you find these two things, everything else will fall into perspective.
Wow thats awesome, thanks so much for all the links, Im gonna check all that out.
I agree with the local coffee shop thing, that seems to be a good way.
I dont live in a bad area now, but its not great, and coincidently no coffee shops.
03-17-09 | 05:52 PM
#36
chickenosaurus
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Bikes: 2010 Motobecane Team Track, 1997 GT Edge, 2012 Kilo TT Stripper
west philly, eh? I was born and raised there. I used to spend most of my time playing basketball at the playgrounds, but once I got in a fight with a fight with a couple of thugs who were making trouble in my neighborhood. After my mother heard about that fight, she feared for my safety and forced me to move to california to live with my aunt and uncle.
03-17-09 | 05:59 PM
#39
K2ProFlex baby!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 59
From: My response would have been something along the lines of: "Does your bike have computer controlled suspension? Then shut your piehole, this baby is from the future!"
Bikes: to many to list
west philly, eh? I was born and raised there. I used to spend most of my time playing basketball at the playgrounds, but once I got in a fight with a fight with a couple of thugs who were making trouble in my neighborhood. After my mother heard about that fight, she feared for my safety and forced me to move to california to live with my aunt and uncle.
In Bel Air?!
__________________
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
03-17-09 | 06:28 PM
#40
Señor Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: Philly
I don't think anyone has said this, but Philly is a block by block/neighborhood by neighborhood thing. For instance, Mantua, one of the most poverty/crime stricken areas(also known as "the bottom"), borders powelton village in University city, a nice place. and certain blocks can be alright and then the next block has all vacant houses. so beware of people saying that north philly east of Front st is completely alright. I would NOT want to live around kensington ave and Somerset. Also, Frankford is getting pretty rough.
And I don't appreciate the racist attitudes of certain posters in this thread. not directed at you, sp00ki
Last edited by bboysubhuman; 03-17-09 at 06:32 PM.
03-17-09 | 06:48 PM
#41
bike bike bike
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: philly
Bikes: eai bareknuckle, cayne uno beater, raleigh sprite 27 conversion
THE CRACKER FACTORY!!! my friends megin and dave and brian and eric allen all live there. wait... who are you? i live at coral and susq
03-17-09 | 07:17 PM
#42
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 472
From: Valley Forge: Birthplace of Freedom
Bikes: Novara Safari, CAAD9, WABI Classic, WABI Thunder
RESIDENCY AND AGE RESTRICTIONS
Only applicants 21 years of age or older, residing in the county of Philadelphia, may apply for a "Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearm" through the Philadelphia Police Department. Out of County residents must apply in the county of their residence. Out of State applications will only be considered if the applicant currently has a similar License from their home state.
Step-By-Step Instructions
You may also download a copy of the application form from our "Downloads" page.
Applicants arriving for processing and interviews may do so between the hours of 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM. No new applicant processing will be started after 2:00 PM.
The Permits Unit is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.
Also needed at this time of Renewal or New Application:
a.One (1) 1 ½ ” x 1 ½ ” (inch) Passport Type color photo of the applicant’s head and shoulders, (NO SUNGLASSES, HATS, VEILS, BANDANNAS, ETC.).b.A $25.00 money order (no other amount will be accepted) payable to “City of Philadelphia”. (NO CASH OR CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED.)c.A valid Pennsylvania Drivers License or Non-Drivers ID, along with two (2) acceptable forms of proof of residence, all address must match. NO PO BOXES WILL BE ACCEPTED, (see examples on rear of Instruction Sheet).d.ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE FINGERPRINTED. e.If you were previously a member of the Armed Forces, a copy of your discharge papers (DD-214) must accompany the application. f.Foreign born applicants who are presently American citizens must bring their naturalization papers (passports are not acceptable).g.Registered aliens must have their current alien registration identification card, i.e., GREEN CARD and 3 previous months utility bills, i.e., gas bill, PECO bill, water bill, etc. for proof of residency.
Visas are not permissible. For example, student visa, and work visas are not acceptable.
References must include NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBERS and PA DRIVERS LICENSE NUMBER at the top of form. Failure to do so will result in processing delays and application denial.
Upon approval the applicant has ninety (90) days to pick-up their License to Carry.
ALL APPLICANTS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT FALSE STATEMENTS (WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN) WILL BE CAUSE FOR DENIAL AND MAY RESULT IN ARREST.
PREVIOUS “PENNSYLVANIA LICENSE TO CARRY FIREARMS” MUST BE PRESENTED.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SAME PROCEDURES ARE APPLICABLE FOR RENEWALS.
Only applicants 21 years of age or older, residing in the county of Philadelphia, may apply for a "Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearm" through the Philadelphia Police Department. Out of County residents must apply in the county of their residence. Out of State applications will only be considered if the applicant currently has a similar License from their home state.
Step-By-Step Instructions
1
Applications may be picked up at the Gun Permits & Tracking Unit, 990 Spring Garden Street, 2nd Floor, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM. Only 1 application form to a person.You may also download a copy of the application form from our "Downloads" page.
Applicants arriving for processing and interviews may do so between the hours of 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM. No new applicant processing will be started after 2:00 PM.
The Permits Unit is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.
2
Applicants must have an APPLICATION FILLED OUT COMPLETELY and APPLICABLE ITEMS LISTED BELOW or they will not be accepted. (Do not use pencil)3
When completed, the entire application along with the reference questionnaires (2) must be returned IN PERSON BY THE APPLICANT to the above location during the stated times.Also needed at this time of Renewal or New Application:
a.One (1) 1 ½ ” x 1 ½ ” (inch) Passport Type color photo of the applicant’s head and shoulders, (NO SUNGLASSES, HATS, VEILS, BANDANNAS, ETC.).b.A $25.00 money order (no other amount will be accepted) payable to “City of Philadelphia”. (NO CASH OR CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED.)c.A valid Pennsylvania Drivers License or Non-Drivers ID, along with two (2) acceptable forms of proof of residence, all address must match. NO PO BOXES WILL BE ACCEPTED, (see examples on rear of Instruction Sheet).d.ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE FINGERPRINTED. e.If you were previously a member of the Armed Forces, a copy of your discharge papers (DD-214) must accompany the application. f.Foreign born applicants who are presently American citizens must bring their naturalization papers (passports are not acceptable).g.Registered aliens must have their current alien registration identification card, i.e., GREEN CARD and 3 previous months utility bills, i.e., gas bill, PECO bill, water bill, etc. for proof of residency.
Visas are not permissible. For example, student visa, and work visas are not acceptable.
4
You must have the Reference Questionnaires (2) filled-out by References and returned with your application. References should be Philadelphia residents and not family members.References must include NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBERS and PA DRIVERS LICENSE NUMBER at the top of form. Failure to do so will result in processing delays and application denial.
5
If all paperwork is in order, the applicant will then be interviewed by Gun Permits & Tracking Unit Personnel. When the interview is completed, a state and local background investigation will be conducted to ascertain if the applicant is acceptable under law to be issued a “Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms". 6
All applicants will receive written notice by U.S. mail of either approval or disapproval of their application for a "Pennsylvania License to Carry a Firearm". Upon approval the applicant has ninety (90) days to pick-up their License to Carry.
ALL APPLICANTS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT FALSE STATEMENTS (WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN) WILL BE CAUSE FOR DENIAL AND MAY RESULT IN ARREST.
PREVIOUS “PENNSYLVANIA LICENSE TO CARRY FIREARMS” MUST BE PRESENTED.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SAME PROCEDURES ARE APPLICABLE FOR RENEWALS.
03-17-09 | 07:43 PM
#43
Thread Starter
Bikes hella booty!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
From: Seattle
Bikes: 725TR Leader
west philly, eh? I was born and raised there. I used to spend most of my time playing basketball at the playgrounds, but once I got in a fight with a fight with a couple of thugs who were making trouble in my neighborhood. After my mother heard about that fight, she feared for my safety and forced me to move to california to live with my aunt and uncle.
See, this is why I should move. Everyone sounds like they have fun there. Sort of...
Last edited by Saberhead; 03-17-09 at 07:48 PM.
03-18-09 | 09:52 AM
#45
A biking donkey.
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Spain
Bikes: Yubo Mundo, SE Draft, Iron Horse Warrior MTB
Not really. Many "white boys" (or gals as the OP) live in West Philly without problems. West Philly is a great place to live. Also, I disagree with "sp00ki" about his assessment of West Philly and by "local coffee shop" measure, West Philly ranks pretty high. "bboysubhuman", good point.
03-18-09 | 02:32 PM
#47
K2ProFlex baby!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 59
From: My response would have been something along the lines of: "Does your bike have computer controlled suspension? Then shut your piehole, this baby is from the future!"
Bikes: to many to list
__________________
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
03-18-09 | 04:30 PM
#50
Thread Starter
Bikes hella booty!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
From: Seattle
Bikes: 725TR Leader
Im trying to go to Drexel (I remember someone here posted that they also went there) so anything within reasonable cycling distance is where I want to be, preferibly close to some stores and maybe a couple good restaraunts or something. Not too worried about fancy or not fancy, but just good for a college student and a room or apt shared with my boyfriend. I spoke to my friend on the phone yesterday about it and he kept telling me I was making a big mistake, but...I think he just doesnt get out much. It still sounds cool
Are there a lot of cycling events and stuff there?
Are there a lot of cycling events and stuff there?