Living in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Pros and Cons
West Philadelphia is home to some of the most notable neighborhoods in Philadelphia. Its neighborhoods, like Nicetown-Tioga and Logan Square, have a reputation for being vibrant and beautiful. But that’s not the only thing that makes this area so special. There are also a lot of pros and cons to living in West Philly.
Pros
1. The food.
There are lots of great places to eat in West Philadelphia, including a variety of Asian, Middle Eastern, Mexican, Italian, and Greek restaurants. Some of the most popular restaurants include Sushi Nami, Chino Latino, and Thai Garden.
2. The nightlife.
The entertainment district of Center City is a short walk from West Philly, so you can easily get to concerts, clubs, and bars in the city center. You can also head to the suburbs, where you’ll find the best bars, nightclubs, and lounges in the Delaware Valley.
3. The real estate.
The homes in West Philadelphia tend to be more affordable than the homes in the rest of the city, which means you won’t have to spend much on housing if you decide to move to West Philly.
4. The transportation.
You can easily get around West Philly by taking public transportation, like the Market-Frankford Line or SEPTA Regional Rail.
5. Affordable housing:
Rent is much cheaper in West Philadelphia than it is in other parts of the city. You can get a one-bedroom apartment in the neighborhood for under $1,000 a month.
6. A vibrant and culturally diverse community:
West Philadelphia has a large and vibrant African American population, as well as a growing number of Hispanic and Asian residents. There are also a number of art galleries and museums.
7. Easy access to the rest of the city:
West Philadelphia is relatively close to Center City Philadelphia, making it easy to get to work and other major attractions.
8. Good schools:
Public schools in West Philadelphia are ranked among the best in the state.
Cons
1. The traffic.
It’s not unusual to encounter long commutes if you live in West Philly. This is because the neighborhood has one of the highest levels of automobile traffic in the entire city.
2. The crime.
Crime in the West Philadelphia has been on the rise over the past few years. However, there are still fewer crimes in this area than there are in many of the surrounding neighborhoods, like Frankford and North Philadelphia.
3. The education.
There are some great schools in West Philadelphia, but there are also a number of schools in the area that are subpar. If you plan to raise a family, you might want to think about sending your children to school in the suburbs, like Radnor Township, instead.
4. The weather.
In the summer, it’s extremely hot in West Philly. However, you will probably enjoy the mild winters in the area.
5. The cost of living.
In West Philadelphia, you can expect to pay a lot more for groceries, utilities, and rent than you would in other parts of the city.
6. The culture.
You won’t find a lot of hipster culture in West Philadelphia. Instead, the area is mostly home to families who live in the area.
7. The schools.
West Philly is one of the most diverse areas in the country. That means that the public schools in the area tend to have a lot of ethnic diversity.
8. The safety.
The neighborhoods in West Philadelphia are pretty safe, but they are still dangerous compared to other parts of the city.
9. The noise.
It’s not uncommon to hear lots of loud noises in the area, like construction, trucks, and cars.
10. The pollution.
The air quality in West Philadelphia tends to be bad.