Pros: Original capital (history!), world class art museum, 17/18th century architecture, amazing food scene and groceries. Affordable compared to most major metros in center and close neighborhoods, as in you can own a house here and the carrying costs aren't high. Philly rowhomes are plentiful! If you're making NYC money you will live like a king.
Transit system, the el (subway) and regional rail are decent. Tech scene small, easy to network. Amtrak goes to NYC, Lancaster, DC, big station. Healthcare very good, several world class hospitals in the area (Jefferson, Penn, etc). Starting to get protected bike lanes in some areas, if you asked me 5y ago if it would happen I would have said not in my lifetime. Traffic can be a little nuts on 76, but in general fine if you stay away from center city.
Music venues are great, many and small. Most things don't require several months in advance to get a ticket. If you like live music you can see things from your local noise band up to Arcade Fire easily. Fun art scene, lots of things going on.
Very close to nature, the original green city! Airport is very accessible, though not the best. You have some choices, I have gone to Newark for things like Porter to go to Toronto.
Cons: Crime a little high, rep as opioid Disneyland, can be very dirty. Typical US city stuff: stolen packages, certain areas very bad (Philly is good block bad block), some things can't be bought in stores without a key assist because of shoplifting. Carjacking at a new high recently.
City wage tax ends up creating a higher than expected tax setup. Property taxes are low for a city, and services are reflected by that. Schools are not great, there are some good academies but I don't know the system.
Tech jobs are ok here, but definitely small and does not have the critical mass of a tech hub. Comcast, Blue Cross, Oracle are here, but pay slightly lower than major tech hubs.
Personal bias: I work in NYC, live in Philly. The savings resulted in me being able to buy in a top 3 neighborhood, and seems like it was a good decision. YMMV.
In short, come visit, climb the Art Museum steps, and look at the possibilities!
Pros: Original capital (history!), world class art museum, 17/18th century architecture, amazing food scene and groceries. Affordable compared to most major metros in center and close neighborhoods, as in you can own a house here and the carrying costs aren't high. Philly rowhomes are plentiful! If you're making NYC money you will live like a king.
Transit system, the el (subway) and regional rail are decent. Tech scene small, easy to network. Amtrak goes to NYC, Lancaster, DC, big station. Healthcare very good, several world class hospitals in the area (Jefferson, Penn, etc). Starting to get protected bike lanes in some areas, if you asked me 5y ago if it would happen I would have said not in my lifetime. Traffic can be a little nuts on 76, but in general fine if you stay away from center city.
Music venues are great, many and small. Most things don't require several months in advance to get a ticket. If you like live music you can see things from your local noise band up to Arcade Fire easily. Fun art scene, lots of things going on.
Very close to nature, the original green city! Airport is very accessible, though not the best. You have some choices, I have gone to Newark for things like Porter to go to Toronto.
Cons: Crime a little high, rep as opioid Disneyland, can be very dirty. Typical US city stuff: stolen packages, certain areas very bad (Philly is good block bad block), some things can't be bought in stores without a key assist because of shoplifting. Carjacking at a new high recently.
City wage tax ends up creating a higher than expected tax setup. Property taxes are low for a city, and services are reflected by that. Schools are not great, there are some good academies but I don't know the system.
Tech jobs are ok here, but definitely small and does not have the critical mass of a tech hub. Comcast, Blue Cross, Oracle are here, but pay slightly lower than major tech hubs.
Personal bias: I work in NYC, live in Philly. The savings resulted in me being able to buy in a top 3 neighborhood, and seems like it was a good decision. YMMV.
In short, come visit, climb the Art Museum steps, and look at the possibilities!