The City of Brotherly Love is the second largest on the East Coast and was recently named the sixth-largest in the country. Now, it is quickly becoming one of the best cities to live in the US. If you love American history, incredible food scenes, and having unprecedented access to the comfort and conveniences of a metropolitan city, then living in Philadelphia would be great for you. This means lots of public transportation options, healthcare, affordable housing, plenty of educational institutions, exclusive entertainment options, and employment opportunities. Suffice to say, Philly has some of the most diverse and charming neighborhoods, a thriving cultural scene, and a small town's charm.
Below are some of the reasons why you should consider living in Philadelphia:
While Philadelphia is home to over 1.5 million residents, it still has the small-town vibe. Instead, this city feels and operates as a collection of numerous neighborhoods, with different characters and personalities, but where small businesses flourishes and folks know each other. From the vibrant shopping regions in Rittenhouse to the great historic sites in Old City, these neighborhoods are unique, each with its own charm and character.
The City of Brotherly Love is home to some of America's most cherished restaurants. The city takes pride in its unique dining scene, with people coming in from New York and other parts of the country. If you crave Philly's famous mouth-watering cheesecakes, be sure to check out Dalessandro's in Roxborough and John's Roast Pork. That's not all. Philadelphia boasts a remarkable diversity in its diner options, with several restaurants offering Ethiopian, Mexican, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and numerous other cuisines. Besides a fantastic food scene, Philly is also a drink world top tier. This city boasts a wide range of breweries and distilleries offering top-notch drink options to quench your thirst.
If you love fine arts, you will also love living in Philadelphia. Philly is home to world-class art galleries, cultural institutions, and museums. If you want to have a closer look at the remarkable early modernist, impressionist, and post-impressionist paintings, check into the Barnes Foundation, The Philadelphia Museum of Arts houses a vast collection of unique antiquities and other art pieces of art from all over the world. Besides, The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts was the first art museum in the USA.
You will also love living in Philadelphia if you love music. Just so you know, both hip hop and Billy Holiday are products of this city. Do not be surprised if you find some big acts performing at The Mann Center. The Electric Factory, now known as Franklin Music Hall, hosts mid-range acts such as Block Party, while Union Transfers and Theater of Living arts usually host various upcoming and national touring performers.
The Pocono Mountains, The shore of the Atlantic Ocean, Delaware Water Recreational Area, and New York City are all less than two hours from Philadelphia. That means that you can easily access all these areas by bus or train. Besides, the city offers large, beautiful, and diverse parks, not to mention plenty of green areas and escapes. Take Fairmount Park alone, for example. The sprawling 9200-acre field is home to 63 individual parks, which make up approximately 10 percent of the city. You can therefore treat your family to a day of fun-filled activities ranging from off-road biking, golfing, fishing, hiking, and horseback riding.
Philadelphia was the nation's birthplace. Lots of historical events happened here. Therefore, you can expect to see plenty of historical sites, such as Independence Hall, Benjamin Franklin Museum, Liberty Bell, and Betsy Ross House. You can also explore Elfreth's Alley, one of the nation's oldest residential streets. Here, you will specifically enjoy the Federal and Georgian charm and style.
There is never a dull day when living in Philadelphia. From food events to Midtown Village Fall festivals and the Thanks Giving Parade, you will have a festival to enjoy every other weekend. For instance, every June, the city celebrates Odunde Festival, the biggest African-American street festival in the country. You can treat your taste buds to some delectable Caribbean-inspired dishes, buy some handcrafted items in the market, and enjoy some live music.
Sure, house prices have slightly increased over the past few years. Even so, Philadelphia has remained a unique value proposition for renters and homebuyers who pay more attention to affordability and cost of living. Besides, Philly offers you a wide range of housing styles to fit your need and budget. From single-family castles in Overbrook to prestigious condos offering incredible sights of the city's skyline, there is something for everyone here. To be sure, taking a trip to this beautiful city would give you a clearer view of what you want and what you don't.
