KashMoney941 t1_jb71yee wrote on March 6, 2023 at 10:38 PM

Hey all! Just got a job offer which if accepted would require me to move to Philly eventually (currently in Central NJ, I could commute while I figure the living situation out for a little but I would have to establish city residency soon enough). I'm still waiting to hear back from a few places so I have not accepted just yet. The job is not a great paying one tho (its a temporary position for 1.5ish years, meant to be a springboard into a long-term career) so if I do end up taking it, I am gonna need a budget-friendly spot to live at. Don't mind (and frankly, am probably gonna need) roommates and I dont need anything too fancy but of course I dont want to live in an absolute dump either.

Job is in Center City but obviously given my budget, getting something right there is likely out of the picture, so I dont mind another part of the city as long as its a reasonable commute and I can save a little. The job just requires Philadelphia residence.

So with $1500/month being my budget (and even that is pushing it tbh, that is just the absolute max I realistically think could be worth it for me to take the job at), is it possible for me to find a reasonably inhabitable spot close enough to Center City for me to take the job?

TIA!

money_mase19 t1_jb7ct4l wrote on March 6, 2023 at 11:57 PM

with a roomate for 1500 you can have a sick place in philly

UndercoverPhilly t1_jb7dfjg wrote on March 7, 2023 at 12:01 AM

You could also get a decent studio in CC between $1200-1500. In West or South Philly you probably can find a 2 bedroom for $800-$1000 per person with a roommate, and then save about $400-500 (depending on your utilities.

KashMoney941 t1_jb9xin8 wrote on March 7, 2023 at 3:09 PM

I swear the way some people put it, I would have been lucky to be able to sleep on someone's door step for $1700 lol. Those numbers dont seem terrible at all.

Thanks for the info!

UndercoverPhilly t1_jba24gt wrote on March 7, 2023 at 3:40 PM

Well they ARE terrible for people from Philly. 25% of the people live on under $30,000 a year. Many middle class renters had to move last year because landlords in Center City were raising rents a few hundred dollars and they were being outbidded by people from more expensive cities. This is not a wealthy city, although there are people who can afford $1700 and more, it is HIGH for many people in Philadelphia. The city cannot even fill its jobs because they don't pay enough.