Top Ten Reasons to Relocate to Philadelphia

We have scoured the Internet looking for posts that indicate why Philadelphia is a desirable place to live and fantastic retirement and relocation destination. We are sad to report that Philadelphia does not appear in too many top ten lists. So, we decided to create our own, a FDS special list on why Philly is A-Okay for retirees and newbees of all kinds.

1. Philadelphia is filled with affordable housing. This is particularly true if you decide to live outside of the Center City hot-spots of Society Hill, Washington Square, and Rittenhouse. Bargains are to be had in many neighborhoods that border on Center City (Graduate Hospital, Queens Village, Bella Vista, Fishtown, Northern Liberties, and Logan) and a few that are within minutes of downtown like our very own Fairmount, Germantown, East Falls, University City and Mt. Airy. Check out Prufoxroach.com to see housing by location.
2. Philadelphia is home to numerous medical schools and university affiliated hospitals. These include: The University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, Drexel University, Jefferson University, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and Wills Eye Health System.
3. Philadelphia has four seasons! We have it all: hot, balmy summer days; warm and colorful falls; blistery sometimes white winters, and flowery springs. The city’s annual flower show to welcome spring is not to be missed!
4. Related to number 3, Fairmount Park is amazing! It is one of the largest urban parks in the country. One of Fairmount neighborhood parks is within walking distance of every city resident, or so the Fairmount Park website claims. Our favorite feature is the walking path along the Schuylkill River. The new Spring Garden Street entrance to the Art Museum is open, so we can walk the dogs on the path from Fairmount to Rittenhouse Square or from Fairmount to Manayunk!
5. Philadelphia has lots of terrific restaurants. Some of Fairmount Dog Stories favorites are: L’Oca, Ralph’s, La Baia, Effie’s, Hikaru, More than Just Ice Cream, and David’s Mai Lai Wah.
6. Philadelphia is a performing arts mecca. We love ballet and other performance arts. Philadance.org provides lots of info about the dance scene in the city. The Academy of Vocal Arts is located in Rittenhouse, along with the Curtis Institute of Music and The University of the Arts. All offer low and no cost student performances; many of the areas professional performing artists receive their training in the city as well. For fall visitors, the Fringe Festival is a must.
7. Philadelphia is a college town. With eighty degree granting institutions, Philadelphia ranks at the top of the nation in terms of the concentration of institutions of higher learning – one of the top retirement amenities!
8. Philadelphia’s neighborhoods are distinctive and filled with character (and characters!). Here are three guides to city neighborhoods: About.com’s guide, Helium’s seven articles on Philly hoods, Wikipedia’s take. We are thinking about creating a FDS version sometime soon….
9. Philadelphia has lots of services. They are not fancy, but they are plentiful. Check out: Free municipal wireless service, SEPTA public transportation, Phillycarshare, Museums and Galleries (including the newly relocated Please Touch Museum), and wonderful architecture to explore in and outdoors.
10. Philadelphia is home to the Fairmount Dogs, Sadie and Lily!

Happy New Year to all!

MM & RY 2008