Living in Philadelphia

Reading Time: 3 minutes

As one of the oldest municipalities in the United States, Philadelphia PA has always been one of the most attractive places to live in.
No matter if you’ve just moved to Philadelphia or you are planning to move to do so, here is what Philadelphia can offer you.

History

Let’s start from the beginning. Founded by William Penn in 1682 as a refuge for religious tolerance it gained the name of a “city of brotherly love”.
The city holds a key role in American history since both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were drafted and signed here.
Having said this, there are a plethora of historic landmarks to visit if you are a history lover.

Since it is the largest city in Pennsylvania and sixth most populous city in the USA, Philadelphia is a true melting pot of nations, food and culture.
It is also the birthplace of the nation’s first medical school, hospital, library, zoo, stock exchange and business school.

Education

With thirty seven institutions of higher learning located in Philadelphia, PA it is no wonder why many young people are deciding to move here. With a nightlife buzzing and abundance of everyday activities that are mostly free of charge, Philly brings many people from the US, especially East Coast, together.

Business

With myriads of schools comes a variety of business opportunities.
As of 2019, the Philadelphia metropolitan area is estimated to produce a gross metropolitan product known as GMP of $490 billion. In addition, Philadelphia is home to twelve of Fortune 500 companies such as Comcast and Crown Holdings. In addition, there are ten of the country’s largest law firms.
In addition, there is a large presence of the federal government here as well with the East Coast operations of the U.S. Mint and a division of the Federal Reserve Bank located nearby.
Last but not least, the average monthly salary in Philadelphia, after taxes, is around $3,400.

Cost of living in Philadelphia

At the moment 53% of people in Philadelphia own their own homes, while 47% are renting. This comes at no surprise since Philadelphia is university heaven.
Moreover, at the moment the median rent comes at around $1,007.
According to Numbeo, a four-person family needs around $3,600 per month excluding housing.
However, what you are definitely going to be saving on is transport.
Public transport is reliable and there are plenty of bus routes covering the entire city. There is a subway, around 70 different bus routes and the SEPTA regional Rail which can connect you as far as west to New Jersey or eat to Chestnut Hill.But if you prefer walking, that is fine as well since Philadelphia has a grid-based layout which makes it very hard for people to get lost.
Also, you can visit five different public squares —Franklin, Washington, Logan, Rittenhouse, and City Hall that provide a perfect getaway from the city jungle.
In addition, the north-south streets are numbered and the east-west streets are named after trees to make navigation easier.
Lastly, for those who love biking, this might be the city for you.Philadelphia is known as one of the most bike-friendly cities in America with 440 miles of bike lane and 140 bikes stations spread around the city.

Tourism

With over 45 million tourists visiting per year, Philadelphia has become one of the favorite getaways on the East Coast.
No matter if you feel like running like Rocky, touring Independence Hall, devouring a cheesesteak or a roast pork sandwich at Reading Terminal Market or simply visiting any of many free museums, Philadelphia offers something for everyone.

Here are some of our favorites.

Reading terminal market
This is a true foodie heaven! Open in 1893, today it is the greatest open public market in the country. You can try it all here. From sublime soul food, to the authentic Philly cheesesteak, or even exquisite Middle Eastern or Asian dishes to the traditional Pennsylvania Duth fare. Most of the businesses are family owned, organic and sustainable.

The Liberty Bell center
There is a great honor and pride once visiting the great Liberty Bell center. You can snap a picture next to the great Liberty Bell. The symbol of freedom-seekers from around the world is completely free of charge to visit and it draws thousands of people throughout the year.

Rocky
Believe it or not, Rocky’s statue is one of the two most famous tourist attractions. For you to have the whole ‘Rocky experience’ we advise on first having a triumphant jog up the stair of the Philadelphia Museum of Art (while you are there it would be a great shame to miss visiting it, wink wink), then move on to pumping your fists like the Rocky himself while you overview the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and mesmerizing city skyline.
Then, finally, head to the bottom of the stairs and snap a photo with Rocky himself. In bronze tho, but you see our point.