Relocation to the Metro Philly area

[jarvismj]

Last year I was living in Philly doing some IT contract work, and I really fell in love with the city. Right now, I'm going to be moving, and I'm looking at the area, but I've got a lot of unanswered questions also.

1) Where is the most affordable rent, without having to carry a weapon?

2) What is the job outlook like in the area, along with the Tri State area (PA,DE,NJ)

Any help with these would be a life saver.

Thanks everyone.

[city guy]

Last year I was living in Philly doing some IT contract work, and I really fell in love with the city. Right now, I'm going to be moving, and I'm looking at the area, but I've got a lot of unanswered questions also.

1) Where is the most affordable rent, without having to carry a weapon?

2) What is the job outlook like in the area, along with the Tri State area (PA,DE,NJ)

Jarvis, Here are a couple websites for you to visit.

The first is http://www.phillyblog.com these people know alot of things about the area, moving and such.

The other is http://www.centercityphila.org/living/market_facts.aspx

For apartment info pricing: http://www.citypaper.net/classifieds/?classid=1100

For general tourist info: http://www.gophila.com

For jobs in the area: http://www.imakenews.com/innovationphiladelphia/

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/classifieds/employment/

Business Info: http://www.selectgreaterphiladelphia.com/

Starting a business: http://www.sep.benfranklin.org/

Our economic outlook: http://www.peleast.org/

Social Events: http://www.upcomingevents.com

Culture Events: http://www.phillyfunguide.com/

Good luck!

[stinkweed]

I'd agree with the phillyblog idea but I don't know if the rest will do you much good. Also, I'd be more specific with your questions. How much are you willing to spend? How much space do you need? Are you coming from another city or the burbs or a rural area?

As for the job market, what type of job are you looking for? Some fields are very strong here others are weak.

If your coming from the burbs I'd recommend living in center city for a year until you get the feel for the place. You can probably get a decent place for $700. The overall market is poor but certain areas are strong as I mentioned. There have been strides to change the business killing tax structure but the moron we call mayor has killed all measures so far. Hopefully after he is gone things will pick up (2007).

[urbanophile]

I was going to suggest that you post on www.phillyblog.com in the Welcome Wagon section but it seems that that's been recommended twice already. In any event, that's by far the best forum for any talk about Philadelphia.

This forum can be helpful as well but it seems that there are only a few Philly posters - probably because Phillyblog is so much larger and most of the people who would have posted here post there instead. I think Phillyblog might be one of the most successful city-oriented forums in the country.

[jarvismj]

Thanks for all the info everyone. It turns out that I'll be in Atlanta for at least the next year, but dammit, I love Philly!!

[PghUSA]

Jarvis,

Sorry to hear of your bout of hotlana

Hope to see you in the Keystone in 2007!

[jarvismj]

Actually, I have a lot of family in the Harrisburg area, up and down US 15, so it won't be long before I move up there.