Moving from Atlanta, GA

[dracopervicax]

When are you moving? -- Possibly at the beginning of 2012

Where are you coming from?
Atlanta, GA

Why are you moving?
New job (I hope)

Where will you be working?
The Curtis Center (hopefully) -- Right there at the corner of Independence Park

Have you been here yet?
Just to visit a couple of years ago.

Will you buy or rent?
Rent

If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft?
Studio Apartment

How much can you spend?
$600-700/mo including utilities is preferred, but I guess I can go up to $850

Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up?
I would prefer a high-rise, actually. I

Are you married or single?
Well, I'm engaged, but I will likely be moving to Philly by myself.

Do you have children?
No

Do you prefer public or private schools?
N/A

Do you have pets?
I'd love to get a cat, but I do not currently have one.

Do you want or need a yard?
No

Are you keeping a car?
Nope.

Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet?
Either. I'm pretty adaptable. I would prefer to live in the city proper.

What do you want to be closest to?
Honestly, either within 3 miles of work OR within a half a mile of a metro stop with under an hour of commute.

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood?
I'm a white straight woman coming from Midtown, Atlanta. I'm down with diversity.

All of that being said, here's a bit more about me:

I'm 22, but I'm not really into partying or bars. I'm pretty nerdy and get into the alternative scene pretty well. but I generally stay home on weeknights, and, unless something is going on, on weekends. I prefer to walk most places that I go, and then I take public transportation.

Random question: is there a good farmer's market/world market/Whole Foods/Trader Joe's scene in Philly?

Also: I am a purple belt in taekwondo. Are there any good TKD studios around?

Thanks!

[BarryG]

You should be able to a find a studio in Washington Square West (more like $800) or adjacent Bella Vista (cheaper) for that price. Both are dense urban neighborhoods where you don't need a car. Washington Square West would be a 5 minute walk to work, Bella Vista more like 10-15 min walk with easy bus access to Curtis Center too. Not many high rises around there, if you really want a high rise you could look at Society Hill Towers which is 5-10 min walk, not sure what prices are like. Otherwise you're looking around Rittenhouse Square but you'll get more for your money east of Broad Street.

Both neighborhoods are in walking distance to Whole Foods, and close to Headhouse Square which is the site of the city's best Farmer's Market (but closed in the winter). There are also neighborhood farmer's markets all over, pretty much every neighborhood has one now, though only some are year round. Reading Terminal Market (not far from either neighborhood) is a huge year round market with a big selection of local produce and meats, plus great prepared foods. Bella Vista contains the Italian Market, a year-round outdoor market, no local/organic stuff but a great place for speciality cheeses, meats, etc. Trader Joe's is a little farther, easy subway access, but also we have two good car sharing programs that make jaunts to places like TJ's very convenient.

If you're into food Bella Vista is probably the best neighborhood in the city... besides easy access to the markets, you are close to the restaurant scenes in Center City and East Passyunk, great gastropubs and neighborhood spots in Bella Vista itself, and lots of good Italian, Mexican, and Vietnamese food.

Other neighborhoods you could consider that are a no-transfer subway rides to your work are Northern Liberties and West Philly around Clarke Park. Clark Park has a large year-round farmer's market.

Some good propaganda about the food scene here: http://food.visitphilly.com/

[phillyaggie]

BarryG is right on almost all counts, except that there are a couple of high rises right on Washington Square-- both are condo buildings, but likely have several units that are on rent at any given moment. Independence Place and Hopkinson House-- would be ridiculously close to Curtis Center-- just across from Washington Square! And in fact, Independence Place is two large (twin?) towers. Studios in either of those likely go closer to $1000 or more, however. I live in one of these buildings, and I rent, so I know.

Generally, however, rentals in Society Hill and Rittenhouse Square areas aren't going to be that cheap, that too in the high rises. And overall, due to Center City's lack of vacancies and the housing market the way it is, rental rates have been creeping up and the vacancies are very low. So it's the landlord's market.

And for me, a trip to Trader Joe's is easy even without a car (I gave up my car when I moved here from Dallas, TX)... if you have to, you can take any of the buses going west on Walnut, then just walk a few blocks north to 21st and Market to Trader Joe's. Then on the way back, even with grocery stores in hand, just walk two blocks south to Chesnut St, and take any of the buses back east to your nearest stop. Sure, the arm muscles can get some nice toning if you're not careful with what all you're putting in the grocery cart...but it's doable. I am a guy, so I guess it's easier, but I'm not particularly muscular or anything.

[Hospitalitygirl]

You should be able to a find a studio in Washington Square West (more like $800) or adjacent Bella Vista (cheaper) for that price. Both are dense urban neighborhoods where you don't need a car. Washington Square West would be a 5 minute walk to work, Bella Vista more like 10-15 min walk with easy bus access to Curtis Center too. Not many high rises around there, if you really want a high rise you could look at Society Hill Towers which is 5-10 min walk, not sure what prices are like. Otherwise you're looking around Rittenhouse Square but you'll get more for your money east of Broad Street.

Both neighborhoods are in walking distance to Whole Foods, and close to Headhouse Square which is the site of the city's best Farmer's Market (but closed in the winter). There are also neighborhood farmer's markets all over, pretty much every neighborhood has one now, though only some are year round. Reading Terminal Market (not far from either neighborhood) is a huge year round market with a big selection of local produce and meats, plus great prepared foods. Bella Vista contains the Italian Market, a year-round outdoor market, no local/organic stuff but a great place for speciality cheeses, meats, etc. Trader Joe's is a little farther, easy subway access, but also we have two good car sharing programs that make jaunts to places like TJ's very convenient.

If you're into food Bella Vista is probably the best neighborhood in the city... besides easy access to the markets, you are close to the restaurant scenes in Center City and East Passyunk, great gastropubs and neighborhood spots in Bella Vista itself, and lots of good Italian, Mexican, and Vietnamese food.

Other neighborhoods you could consider that are a no-transfer subway rides to your work are Northern Liberties and West Philly around Clarke Park. Clark Park has a large year-round farmer's market.

Some good propaganda about the food scene here: Philly Homegrown – Local Food in Philadelphia: Restaurants, Farmers' Markets, Shops, Tours and More

Love the love for Bella Vista!

And it's pretty easy to walk around all over this area and do your shopping. Just invest in a granny cart if you want to save your back. I do walk from Bella Vista to the Trader Joe's and back for certain items and it's not an overly long walk.