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hamletdenmark t1_j5l6p8z wrote

Hi all! Was sent here from r/samegrassbutgreener

Trying to decide where to live after college. I’m between Philly and NYC. With my masters in education I’d make starting in NYC - 68k and Philly - 51k

I’m just wondering on the Philly salary if I could afford my own, decently modern apartment, in a good neighborhood + a car. (the tiktoks and videos about Kensington worry me. I’m not so worried ab nyc bc I live an hour away and go there a lot even to “worse neighborhoods”). I’ve looked at apartments.com and more but don’t really know anything about the areas..

Would love some advice here! :)

Edit: why am I being downvoted for asking for genuine advice :/

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demography_llama t1_j5muizk wrote

You're being downvoted because bringing up Kensington tiktok videos connotes that you haven't researched the city yet. Kensington is in a small, isolated part of the city, yet is often the social media poster child for Philly.

The typical neighborhoods to consider when starting your search are Rittenhouse, Fairmount, Graduate Hospital, West Philly near UPenn, Washington Square West, Old City, Society Hill, Queen Village, East Passyunk, Fishtown, Northern Liberties, etc. If you need to bring your car prepare for street parking or paying more for an apartment that comes with parking.

As others have noted, 51k will provide a decent standard of living compared to 68k in NYC.

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phlwhyamihere t1_j5m1ye1 wrote

51k will get you farther in Philly than 68k in nyc

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Beer_Summit t1_j5m70hu wrote

^ this.

For instance, to have the same standard of living in Manhattan as you'd have in Philly for $51k, you'd need to earn $117k.

To have the same standard of living in Brooklyn as you'd have in Philly for $51k, you'd need to earn $85k.

If your perception of Philly is shaped by tiktoks and videos of Kensington, then it's time for you to get off of your computer or phone and actually visit Philly for at least a weekend and drive around the city. You'll discover that we have plenty of nice, safe, and affordable neighborhoods.

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DoGreat_DieGood t1_j5lon9c wrote

Kensington is largely isolated and not something you stumble upon, since there's really no reason for you to travel up there on a regular basis lol. Street View is your friend! You can definitely afford a nice apartment in a decent neighborhood on that salary.

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