Your Guide to Philadelphia

So… you’re moving to Philadelphia.

Congratulations!

Whether you have been accepted as an FAO Schwarz Fellow, or are just choosing to move to Philadelphia to start your career, it is not an easy feat and you should take pride in your accomplishment.

However, it is easy for your excitement to be overshadowed by anxiety about your big move. While it may seem daunting, we promise that making this transition is simpler than it seems. We will walk you through some of the need-to-knows of moving to Philadelphia to help you get started on this exciting chapter of your life!

Many Fellows move to new cities and states for their Fellowships and have questions about life in Boston, New York city and Philadelphia. Fellows created these guides to give you some insight into how to make your move successfully.

The Philadelphia City Guide

Created by FAO Schwarz Fellows

A Philadelphia Story

The history of Philadelphia is often credited to William Penn and the “founding fathers”. It is told through stories of the American Revolution, cited as “the birthplace of the US”. However, for centuries, this land has been home to and cared for by the Lenni-Lenape people of Lenapehoking and the Poutaxat (Delaware Bay). The Lenape are Indigenous to a vast region which includes present-day New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, southeastern New York, and northern Delaware. Before European colonization, communities thrived in this area for thousands of years, cultivating rich cultural, spiritual, and ecological traditions tied to the land and waterways. Thousands of Lenni-Lenape people were violently displaced by European colonizers and the U.S Indian Removal Act of 1860, leading to the erasure of their history that continues to this day. So when we think, talk, and write about Philly, it’s essential to begin with and honor the original caretakers.

Resources:

Housing

When moving to a new city, the most intimidating part of the process for many people is finding a place to live that won’t break the bank. The way that you go about finding housing can differ based on what you are looking for in an apartment, who you want to live with, and what your budget is. Regardless, here are some important things to consider when starting your apartment hunt:

Find a neighborhood (or neighborhoods) that you are interested in living in:

You will want to consider what areas are close to your host non-profit and what forms of transportation are available in that neighborhood. I also recommend that you spend time looking into the history of that neighborhood, preferably before moving there. Remember that regardless of where you move, there are likely thousands of families who have called that area home for generations and thus it is your job to respect and uplift the existing community.

Consider what you want in an apartment:

When I was looking for housing, I had a conversation with my alumni fellow mentor to gain some insight into the process. One thing that really stuck with me was that I needed to consider all the small details, down to what floor I wanted to live on. It is important to contemplate what you need and want in an apartment. Consider things like windows, kitchen size, number of bathrooms, and washing machines/dryers. Some people prefer to be in an apartment on a main road while others prefer to live on side streets. Ask yourself which aspects of your dream apartment you would be willing to compromise on and which you cannot live without. It is also important to pay attention to the cost of monthly rent. If you are unsure what your cap should be, I recommend looking at apartments with rent that is equal to or lower than 30% of your annual salary. So, for example, if I am making $40,000/year, I would not want to pay more than $1,200/month or $12,000/year (30% of $40,000).

Pro-tip: A lot of buildings in Philly, especially those that are older (such as the iconic Philly row homes), only have stairs for people to move between floors. If you have ambulatory related access needs, consider looking for an apartment on a lower level or one that is in a building with an elevator.

Please note: If you are seeking out a stranger, I would, of course, recommend getting to know them a bit before meeting up in person. Remember internet safety and trust your gut! And, regardless of how you find your roommates, make sure you discuss your living styles to make sure you are compatible before signing a lease!

Pro-tip: Moving in with people who already call Philly home means that you will not only have to buy less furniture and necessities, but it also means that you will have people in your life who know their way around the city and can give you advice on what to do and see!

Find roommates and/or an apartment:

It can be difficult to find a studio or one bedroom apartment that is affordable, thus adding another layer of stress for people who are moving to the city by themselves. Although the prospect of living with strangers can be scary, it is much easier to find incredible roommates than you might think.

1. Where to start:
  When trying to find roommates, start by asking people who live in Philly if they know of anyone who has an open room or who is also moving to the city. When starting this process, I received a number of possible leads from my alumni fellow mentor regarding acquaintances of theirs who were looking for someone to split the rent with.
2. Social media:
  If you do not have any leads from people living in Philly, fear not. There are tons (and I seriously mean tons) of Philly housing groups on Facebook in which people post profiles of themselves in search of like-minded people to live with. Your college may also have an alumni housing group for the Philly area. Take initiative and message people first. If you do not end up being roommates, you may find yourself a new friend to explore the city with!
3. Facebook Marketplace:
  Facebook not only has useful housing groups but also Facebook Marketplace, a buying-and-selling feature where many people post listings for open rooms that are available to rent. This route is how I found my apartment and my two wonderful roommates! Usually, these posts are made anywhere from a month to two months before the lease needs to be resigned so keep an eye out for them! (In Philly, many landlords start looking for new tenants around March/April.)

Here are some tips from other fellows who have made the move to a new city from out of state:

From Jacob Jeong (Reading Partners fellow 2024-2026): Jacob, originally from Los Angeles, California, urges people to keep a close eye on apartment hunting apps like StreetEasy and Facebook housing groups. He says, “Especially in the summer, listings will come and go in as little as a day. It is important to keep an eye on available units.”

From Shraddha Patel (Reading Partners fellow 2024-2026): Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, Shraddha recommends “staying in an Airbnb monthly rental if you need some time to figure out housing.” Not only does this give you more time to find housing, but it also allows you to become familiar with different neighborhoods in the city before you commit to an apartment!

Pro-tip: If you live far away from Philly but have found a future roommate who lives close to or in the city, have them tour apartments and facetime you so that you can get a sense for what the apartment looks like without physically being there. You can, and should, have your potential roommates facetime you for a virtual tour even if they already live there.

Apply for housing:

Once you have found a place that you want to live, you will need to apply for the apartment. This is a process in which you submit several documents to the landlord or building management company to prove that you will be able to pay the rent. Here is a list of some of the documents you may be asked to provide:

1. Rental application: You will receive an application from the landlord or management company that you will need to fill out. This will likely ask for some of your personal information as well as your rental history. If this is your first time renting, do not worry! Most landlords are understanding of this and will still accept your application if you have a proof of income.
2. Proof of ID: They will likely ask for either your driver’s license or passport to confirm your identity.
3. Bank statements: A bank statement from the past two or three months is generally required so that the reviewer can see your financial history.
4. Proof of income: Make sure you can provide proof of income from past jobs as you will likely not have started your role at your host organization yet. It may be beneficial to submit a statement from your organization’s HR department that details what salary you will be making upon starting the fellowship.
5. Guarantor: A guarantor is someone in your life, usually a relative, who is willing to back you financially in the case that you are unable to pay your rent. For first time renters, guarantors are an important part of an application as they serve as extra assurance to the landlord that rent will be paid every month. Guarantors do not have to pay anything unless you fall behind on rent payments. In the application process, you may be asked if you have a guarantor. If you do, they will be asked to provide their bank statements and proof of income. If you do not have one, do not worry, it is still possible to be approved for an apartment.

Please note: After you have been accepted for an apartment, you will be expected to pay both the first month’s rent AND your security deposit! If you can, save up before applying for housing!

Neighborhoods

Learn more about the history of West Philly’s Black Bottom and its displacement under the guise of “urban renewal” here and here.

“We were like a big family, close together like our houses until the bull dozers of urban renewal came around and tore down our neighborhood–but not our spirits! The Black Bottom still is home in our hearts.”

Cedar Park and Spruce Hill

What makes this neighborhood unique?

Artsy and Bohemian
Residential, family-friendly
Historical architecture
Greenery

Food

Baltimore Avenue – culinary hub
- Baltimore Ave Dollar Stroll
Honeysuckle Provisions
Mood Cafe
Alif Brew

Entertainment

Porch Fest
Painted Bride Art Center

Parks

Clark Park
- Farmer’s market
Malcolm X Park

University City

What makes this neighborhood unique?

Home to Penn and Drexel
Diverse and high-energy

Food

Irie Entree
Terakawa Ramen
Manakeesh Cafe

Entertainment

The Rotunda
Institute of Contemporary Art

Parks

The Woodlands Cemetery
Drexel Park

Graduate Hospital

What makes this neighborhood unique?

Mix of downtown and residential
Artsy
Rapidly growing

Food

South Street West – restaurants and shops
Cafe Ynez
Porco’s Porchetteria
Bistro Southeast

Entertainment

Odunde Festival
Bloktober Fest

Parks

Chew Park
Wharton Square Park
Julian Abele Park

Bella Vista

What makes this neighborhood unique?

Historical Italian-American neighborhood, as well as large Vietnamese-American and Mexican-American communities

Food

9th Street Italian Market
South Philly Barbacoa
Pho 75

Entertainment

Fleisher Art Memorial

Parks

Bardascino Park
Capitolo Playground
Palumbo Park
Cianfrani Park

Convention Center District and Chinatown

What makes this neighborhood unique?

Central location
Busy and high energy
One of the largest Chinatowns in the US, home to many Asian American communities

Food

Sang Kee Peking Duck
Ray’s Cafe and Tea House
Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodles

Entertainment/Attractions

Masonic Temple of Philadelphia
Fabric Workshop and Museum
Lunar New Year celebration
Asian Arts Initiative

Parks

LOVE Park
Franklin Square

Old City

What makes this neighborhood unique?

Revolutionary War history, historical architecture
Museums and galleries
Tourist friendly
Vibrant nightlife

Food

BlackHen
Home Cuban Cafe
Sonny’s Famous Steaks

Entertainment/Attractions

Liberty Bell
African American Museum
First Fridays of the month

Parks

Independence National Historical Park

Penn’s Landing

Washington Square West

What makes this neighborhood unique?

Combination of three neighborhoods: Washington Square, Midtown Village, and Gayborhood
Large LGBTQ presence
Small businesses
SEPTA hub
Many theaters and live performance venues

Food

Mawn
Charlie Was A Sinner
Green Eggs Cafe

Entertainment

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
Walnut Street Theatre
Tabu

Parks

Washington Square
Seger Park

Rittenhouse

What makes this neighborhood unique?

Busy and high-energy
Tourist friendly
High-end/luxury
Green spaces

Food

Monster Vegan
Bolo
Melograno

Entertainment

Rittenhouse Row (shopping district)
- Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival
Mütter Museum

Parks

Rittenhouse Square
Fitler Square
Schuylkill River Park

Northern Liberties and Fishtown

What makes this neighborhood unique?

Innovative and artistic
Unique performance scene
Culinary scene
Rapidly growing

Food

Saffron Indian Kitchen
Jenni’s
Middlechild Clubhouse

Entertainment/Attractions

The Clay Studio 🙂
Harriett’s Bookshop
The Resource Exchange

Parks

Penn Treaty Park
Liberty Lands
Konrad Square

Transportation

Public transit

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) operates an extensive public transit system, including buses, trolleys, subways, and regional rail lines. The Market-Frankford Line (MFL) and the Broad Street Line (BSL) are the two main subway lines, connecting key neighborhoods and attractions. Buses and trolleys fill in the gaps, making it accessible to get anywhere in the city! Also, because of Amtrak and other transit services, you can get to New York comfortably in under two hours, and to New Jersey just across the river!

Biking

In addition to a vast network of public transit, Philadelphia has a big bike culture, which continues to grow with more bike lanes and a bike-sharing program called Indego. Renting a bike is an excellent way to explore the city at your own pace, especially along scenic routes like the Schuylkill River Trail, which offers stunning views of the skyline with many green spaces to sit and enjoy. Not only is it the most cost efficient way to get around, but it’s often the quickest!

Walking

For folks who enjoy walking around a city, Philadelphia is the place for you. Voted as the most walkable city in the US, the compact layout of Philadelphia’s neighborhoods makes it a walker’s paradise. Neighborhoods, parks, eateries, entertainment, and historic sites are often just a short stroll apart, allowing folks to experience many different elements of Philly. The pedestrian-friendly streets in areas like Old City and Society Hill invite leisurely exploration. If you’re willing to spend the day walking, you can see any part of the city!

Fun things to do

Gardens

Philly also has an extensive network of community gardens and green spaces. Getting in contact with one near you is a great way to build a relationship with the neighborhood and those around you. And of course, it’s a great way to grow your own produce! Here is a page that maps out community gardens in Philly. While this is a good resource, the best way to explore your neighborhood is to get out and walk!

City of Murals

Philly is renowned for its vibrant public art scene, voted best city for street art. At the heart of this artistic movement is the Philadelphia Mural Arts program, a groundbreaking initiative that has transformed the city’s walls into canvases for expression, storytelling, and community engagement. Today, the city boasts over 4,000 murals, making it the largest outdoor art gallery in the country.

One of the program’s most inspiring aspects is its commitment to community involvement. Many murals are the result of collaborative projects that engage local residents, allowing them to express their narratives and contribute to the artistic landscape of their neighborhoods. This focus on inclusivity and empowerment makes each mural a reflection of the city’s spirit.

Final Thoughts

Moving to a new city is certainly a bit scary, but it is also very exciting! You will grow so much as you explore, build new relationships, and find new hobbies. Philly is a wonderful place to do so, and hopefully this guide helps with that process!