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City Cast Philly

City Cast Philly staff

✏️ Find past crossword puzzles below:

Taras Kim

You can move to Philadelphia successfully if you learn about the city ahead of time, not after the truck is stopped on a narrow one-way street. Philly is crowded, old, and very different from one neighborhood to the next. In some areas you can walk, but in others you need a car. Moving a few blocks can change your rent, your commute, where you can park, the noise level, how easy it is to get to the store, and how hard it is to get your furniture through the front door.

With this guide, you can move to Philadelphia, move from another place to Philadelphia, or just see if living in Philadelphia fits your daily life. You won't be sold a perfect picture of the city. Before you sign a lease, you should be able to see where you will live, if you will bring a car, how you will park, what the move-in rules are, and what you need to do to get ready before the crew comes.

If you want to live in a city with strong neighborhood identities, good restaurants, history, parks, colleges, hospitals, and easy access to the rest of the Northeast, Philadelphia is a good choice. People who work in hospitals, universities, public service, restaurants, Center City, University City, or from home in jobs where the neighborhood is more important than the office address may find this especially useful.

It's not as easy if you need to park on the street every night, want a newer apartment with few maintenance problems, or want the city to feel the same from block to block. There are not just four different listings for a rowhome in South Philadelphia, an apartment near Rittenhouse, a house in West Philadelphia, and a twin in Northeast Philadelphia. They make their own daily schedules.

Ask yourself, "What do I need within 15 minutes of my front door?" before you choose a place. That answer, not just any "best neighborhood" list, should guide your search.

What locals wish newcomers checked earlier

First, you should know that Philadelphia works by neighborhood. People don't just use zip codes to talk about cities. People talk about neighborhoods like Fishtown, Fairmount, Point Breeze, West Philly, Queen Village, Manayunk, University City, and Northeast Philly. The names of these neighborhoods often tell you something about the type of housing, parking, public transportation, cost, and how the block feels.

Housing age is the second thing. Philadelphia has a lot of older rowhomes and buildings that have been turned into homes. That could mean a good spot, character, and more room than a brand-new apartment building. That word can also mean narrow doors, old windows, steep stairs, radiator heat, wet basements, or moving furniture that is hard to do. Before you sign, find out about the heating, cooling, water flow, bugs, laundry, trash storage, and who is in charge of repairs.

The third thing is getting to it. If you forget to do something small, like park the truck close to the door, reserve the elevator, make sure the sofa fits through the stairs, or get the building to sign off on your insurance, it makes moving harder. Not very often, these issues come up. They are normal things that happen on moving day. Checking them before the move day is a good idea.

Best neighborhoods in Philadelphia to rent: choose by lifestyle, not hype

There isn't a single answer that works for all of Philadelphia's areas. Which neighborhood is best for you relies on how much money you have, how far you need to commute, how noisy you can handle, and how much space you need.

 are helpful for learning more about how different parts of the city really feel than just reading about them in real estate listings.

A smart move is to look at your top neighborhood three times before signing. Go during the week, in the evening, and on the weekend. Before you agree, you will see how parking, noise, foot traffic, and public transit really work.

In Philadelphia, you might be able to live without a car if you know where to go and where to live. You don't need one to get around Center City, University City, parts of South Philly, Fishtown, Northern Liberties, and some areas in Northwest Philly. You may depend more on buses, Regional Rail, bikes, carpooling, or your own car for running errands in other places.

A lot of people use SEPTA every day. There are buses, Metro lines, trolleys, and Regional Rail in the system. For Bus and Metro, the pay-per-ride price is $2.90 per trip, but the fare for Regional Rail changes based on the zone. SEPTA also says that people who pay with a contactless card or SEPTA Key card can make up to two free transfers in two hours. Before you move, go to SEPTA's official 

 page to see the most up-to-date prices and rules.

Don't just look at a map to see how far something is. Find out the exact route, how many transfers there are, if there is late-night service, and how often the bus or train goes. A place that is "20 minutes from Center City" by car might not be on the bus or train in 20 minutes.

Bringing a car? Check parking before you sign

If you bring a car, parking should be a factor in where you choose to live. Some blocks let you park with a permit. A few have meters. Some are only good for two hours. Some are simple during the day and tough at night.

The Philadelphia Parking Authority says that residential parking permits help people who live in certain places park closer to their homes, especially on blocks that are close to schools, businesses, or public transportation. In most cases, your car needs Pennsylvania license plates and registration at your home address in the permit district, along with proof that you live there. The PPA says that annual residential permits cost $75 per car, and each household can only have three vehicles. Before you sign a lease or change your registration, check the 

A residential permit doesn't let you break all the rules about parking. PPA says that people with permits still have to follow signs that say "No Parking," "No Stopping," "Loading Zone," and other rules. That's also important on moving day.

Philadelphia moving permit: what to know before move-in day

If you are moving with a truck to Philadelphia, don't think you can just park in front of your building. In a lot of areas, that assumption is what makes things worse.

People who need to move trucks, store containers or pods, temporary dumpsters, or load things use a Temporary No Parking permit, often called a TNP permit, in the city of Philadelphia. You have to apply for the permit at least four business days before you need it, according to the Department of Streets. In Center City or University City, it costs $50 per 40 feet of space per day for a moving truck. In all other places, it costs $25 per 40 feet per day. The city also says that 40 feet is about the same as two parking spots. The official 

It takes more than one step to get a permit. When everything is okay, you print out the permit and bring it to a Philadelphia police district headquarters. The police district gives you temporary signs that say "do not park." You should put them up as soon as you get them or at least 24 hours before you need the space.

In Center City, South Philly, Queen Village, Fairmount, Fishtown, West Philly, and any other block where cars already have to fight for curb room, that detail is important. A legal spot near the entrance can cut down on the time it takes to move, the number of long carries, and the chance of delays.

A do-it-yourself move might work for a small studio. 

 with a lot of experience can help you plan truck access, inventory, timing, and building rules before the crew comes. This is especially helpful if you have a rowhome with narrow stairs, a third-floor walk-up, heavy furniture, or a block with a lot of permits.

What you are responsible for before the movers arrive

The move will still depend on things that only you can confirm, even if you hire movers. It's part of the job for the company to move, protect, carry, load, and transfer things. You still need to check the details that make up the work.

A lot of people wait too long to do this. Before you call movers or confirm a move date, make sure you have your inventory, entry notes, permit plan, and building rules ready. Everyone can see the plan better, and shocks are less likely to happen.

In Philadelphia, moving in is often about the little things. Can the couch fit through the door to the rowhouse? Is it okay for the truck to stop? Does the apartment building limit move-in hours? Does the street only go one way? Are there overhead wires? Is work, school pick-up, eating outside, or trash day going to affect your block?

Ask your landlord or property manager these things before you move in:

When can I move into the building? Do I need to book an elevator? Is there a place to load? Do I need a temporary permit to park here? Does the building need movers to show proof of insurance? What place should the truck go in? Could I get to the back, the stairs, or the small halls? When do the trash and recycling get picked up?

Check the city's rules before you use a storage pod or container. On the city's TNP permit page, storage containers and pods are mentioned as a permit use. A moving container or pod can be used for up to five days.

Everyday life shows the pros and cons of living in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia has real neighborhoods, a strong food culture, historic streets, parks, museums, colleges, hospitals, sports, and it's easy to get to New York, D.C., the Shore, and the Poconos. You can walk to coffee shops, grocery stores, bars, restaurants, parks, and public transportation in many areas. The city has a strong idea of who it is too. It's important to people to know the name of their block, corner shop, park, and neighborhood.

The cons make sense. Parking can be hard work. Streets and trash are not always clean. Some blocks feel very different from blocks that are close by. Public transportation is helpful, but it's not strong everywhere. People who are moving into older homes may need more repairs than they think. There are real safety issues that should be looked into on a block and routine level, not just based on the reputation of the neighborhood.

Being honest about your own habits is the best thing to do. If you don't like driving, pick an area with lots of public transportation. Don't forget to park if you need your car every day. If you work late, test your way home at night. There was a nice apartment above a bar, but if you want peace and quiet, don't rent there.

First-week checklist after moving to Philly

Take care of the basics when you get there before you try to learn everything about the city. You should set up internet, utilities, renters insurance, and mail forwarding. Find out when your trash and recycling day are. Check to see if your block is in an area where residents can get parking permits. Keep track of SEPTA routes you will use, not just the closest stop.

Take a practical walk around your neighborhood, stopping at the grocery store, pharmacy, nearby bus or Metro stop, park, hardware store, laundromat if you need one, and package delivery area. Philly is easy to get around once you know your way around the next few blocks.

Simple things to ask your neighbors. Which corner gets flooded? Where do you usually put packages? It's easier to park on which side of the street? When does the trash get picked up? These things don't show up very often in apartment listings, but they have a big impact on people's lives.

You might want to move to Philadelphia if you want to live on the East Coast in a city with a lot of culture, real neighborhoods, places you can walk to, and space to make your own daily routine. People who like local food, public space, history, and a place that feels lived-in rather than polished will like it here.

If you need to move and need to make sure of things like easy parking, school boundaries, a quiet block, a short commute, or a certain rent range, you should do more study. Specifics like these can quickly change from one area or block to another.

If you want to move to Philadelphia, you should think of it as a local move, not just a city move. Pick an area that is close to where you live. Before you sign, check the parking. Find out how to get a moving permit. You should check the building's inventory, entry, and rules before the move day. After that, it gets easier to control the move, but it's still hard work.

What should I know before moving to Philadelphia?

Before you sign, learn about the area. Philadelphia is different from block to block. Before making a decision, find out about the building's rules, transportation, parking, rent, trash pickup, shopping access, and how to move in.

If you want to reserve curb space for a moving truck, storage pod, or container, you might need a Temporary No Parking permit. The city says you should apply for the permit at least four business days ahead of time.

To be sure, but the renter experience relies on the area, the age of the building, the commute, and the need for parking. There isn't a single best neighborhood in Philadelphia to rent based on lifestyle or price. Instead, each person should use their own criteria.

Can I live in Philadelphia without a car?

To be exact, mostly in Center City, University City, parts of South Philadelphia, Fishtown, Northern Liberties, and a few areas in Northwest Philadelphia. It may still be helpful to have a car if your work, school, or family activities are not close to good transit lines.

What are the biggest downsides of living in Philadelphia?

Some problems that people often have are trouble parking, older homes, uneven transit access, trash on some blocks, complicated local taxes, and differences in safety from one place to the next. Most of these are easier to deal with if you find out about the exact block, route, and parking situation before you move.

Moving to Philadelphia? What to Check Before You Pick a Neighborhood, Book a Truck, and Sign a Lease

Marie Albiges

There’s a few things that you can find at 

that you can’t at the big box hardware stores, starting with Carl.

Carl, the chillest black-and-white shepherd mutt I’ve ever met, greets you at the door with soft, watery eyes and a tail wag that tells you he’s happy you’re here, but he’d appreciate it if you met him on his level of chill.

Carl only has eyes for his owner, Jesse Prager, and upon meeting Prager, I understand where Carl gets his chill.

Prager points out a few more things you can find at Rittenhouse Hardware that you can’t find at the big box stores: knowledgeable, attentive staff that will give you free advice and find what you’re looking for within seconds; parts for older homes that many hardware chains don’t carry; and the convenience of having a hardware store you can walk to.

 Rittenhouse Hardware has received, “This store is stocked as if it was in Diagon Alley; not one inch of the wall/ceiling is wasted.”

If we’re sticking with the Diagon Alley theme, even the most obscure requests at Rittenhouse Hardware are handled with the same individualized care and attention that Ollivander gave Harry in the wand shop. The guys at Rittenhouse can tell you exactly what nut will hold a faucet to a supply line, what masonry drill bit mounts a television onto a brick wall, and they’ll help you find a replacement lightbulb in about 30 seconds (Prager even gave me some advice on how to handle a sticky front door).

Prager said he’s worked hard to train his employees to make even the most unknowledgeable customers feel confident about finding and using the right tool or part without making them feel inferior.

“We want everyone to feel comfortable coming in no matter where you came from,” he said. “That’s consciously brought up here.”

Like Prager, original owner Ken Kemp started working at a hardware store in college, fell in love with the business, and turned what was then a small market into Rittenhouse Hardware in 1994. Prager began working there in 2001 and bought the store from Kemp in 2021.

“This is one of the most fun jobs I’ve ever had,” Prager said. “We have fun here. We’re always joking around, picking music, hanging out, it’s a fun environment.”

At Rittenhouse Hardware you can find knowledgeable, attentive staff; parts for older homes that many hardware chains don’t carry; and the convenience of having a hardware store you can walk to.

What Rittenhouse Hardware Does Better Than the Big Box Stores 

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Siani Colón

Rooftop bars are a great way to watch those 

 and get a bird’s-eye view of the city. See the beauty of Philly’s skyline at these local bars, and stick around for their special programming that keeps the party going through the evening.

 is your source for rooftop tacos and cocktails. For 

 tomorrow, enjoy tequila tastings and a special cocktail menu. Throughout the season, El Techo hosts its “Summer Sessions” series with monthly music programming. Upcoming dates are 

, Aug. 16, and Sept. 27. General admission tickets are $25, with light bites available for pre-purchase. The fun doesn’t end after the summer. El Techo has a retractable roof, keeping it open year-round.

The top level of this former South Philly high school has become a summer staple with 

, rooftop fitness, and sunset drag. If you’re hungry, Bok Bar rotates its menu each month. For July, Gabriella’s Vietnam is serving dishes such as crispy catfish and fries, meat skewers with bao buns, and Vietnamese banana ice cream. For drinks, sip on “Tami-Miami,” “Time After Thyme,” or “Bird’s Eye View” — appropriate for the venue.

You may be thinking “that’s not a bar, that’s a theater.” While you’re not necessarily wrong, that means you’re missing out on one of this venue’s unique features. The 

 is a summer-only pop-up at the Kimmel Center. Admission is free with food and drinks between $6 and $9. Guests also have a chance to win tickets for performances through Ensemble Arts. The pop-up runs through Aug. 26.

For an upscale experience, head to The Logan. On the hotel’s ninth floor, 

 provides guests with views of Logan Square and Philly’s great cultural institutions. The bar has a happy hour special Sunday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., with deals on a rose gold margarita, frosé, and select dishes.

If you’re looking for waterfront views, you can find it on all three levels of 

. Forget the flight to Hawaii; this summer you can visit Liberty Point’s pop-up bar, 

. The restaurant and bar regularly hosts live music and community events. On Aug. 1, the venue is hosting its third annual 

, celebrating Puerto Rican culture with salsa lessons, cultural performances, and food.

Want more opportunities to drink outside? Check out our 

Take advantage of the late-evening sun this summer and party on these Philly rooftop bars.

Best Rooftop Bars in Philadelphia

Catch the Best Views in Philly at These Rooftop Bars

The latest on the best and newest restaurants and bars in Philadelphia. We'll help you find where to eat, drink, and socialize.

Philly Food & Drink

Food & Drink

Philadelphians are a resourceful bunch! So it’s no surprise we’ve got an abundance of local hardware stores to rely on for everything from potting soil to shelving hacks.

This North Philly nonprofit shop and creative reuse center is a treasure trove of donated reusable materials such as art supplies, building materials, lumber, textiles, and furniture. The Resource Exchange also features a 

 whose artwork features a sustainability component, and offers monthly workshops and creative events.

This Germantown Avenue corner hardware store has been a staple in the Chestnut Hill community since 1913. Specializing in functional and decorative hardware for wood doors and windows, the store has a variety of housewares, garden supplies, and paint. Kilian’s also offers 

 for items like vacuums, windows, screens, and lamps.

Many folks still refer to Henry’s by its old name, 1540 Hardware (its black-and-white sign still hangs over the façade). Your typical small neighborhood hardware store, Henry’s offers a decent selection of tools, lightbulbs, gardening supplies, and repair items you might need in a pinch.

The family-owned South Street shop has been owned by three generations of Cohens. In addition to your typical hardware inventory, Cohen & Co. has one of the largest 

 in the South Street area for all your framing, window, and mirror needs.

Here's a list of independent hardware stores where you’ll find what you need, support a small business, and probably leave with some free advice.


Local Hardware Stores For Your Summer Projects 

Inside a bustling Center City corridor on Ludlow Street, there’s a place where immigrant entrepreneurs are thriving and cultures are coming together. You might have seen

 popping up at Reading Terminal Market, the Christmas Village, or Triple Bottom Brewing. Now the multicultural marketplace and nonprofit has its own pop-up storefront on Ludlow Street.

, a Philadelphia nonprofit that promotes inclusive economic growth, Immigrant Marché’s Ludlow Street storefront is open through the end of July. Layla El Tannir, director of entrepreneurship at The Welcoming Center, said she hopes to extend the pop-up through the end of the summer, and has plans to open another location soon.

The shop features products from immigrants representing Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba, and Nicaragua. Products sold include vegan nail polish, embroidered pillows, jewelry, art prints, coffee beans, and jam — all made by immigrants who now call Philadelphia home. Entrepreneurs must be residents of Philadelphia and have a business registered here, and must have previously participated in an Immigrant Marché pop-up.

The storefront — offered to The Welcoming Center rent-free — is part of 

 that is activating vacant storefronts along one of Philadelphia’s most significant urban corridors in partnership with the City of Philadelphia, Center City District, and local property owners.

“These businesses alone would have never been able to have the same entry point,” El Tannir said. “This whole project is giving them the opportunity to do that.”

She said the idea of the storefront is to help entrepreneurs scale their businesses and learn how to operate storefronts. The entrepreneurs each take shifts working inside the store, which is open Wednesday to Saturday from noon to 7 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

El Tannir said she’s regularly asked how Philadelphians can support immigrants. Her answer: Shop at immigrant-owned businesses.

“Maybe we don’t feel it as much directly in Center City Philadelphia, but there’s a rhetoric that has been built against immigrants,” El Tannir said. “Sometimes that overshadows the great value that immigrants bring to our community.”

The shop features products from immigrants representing Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba, and Nicaragua.

Immigrant Marché Opens Pop-Up Storefront in Center City 

With high temperatures becoming the norm this summer, we’re looking to stay cool. So what better way to beat the heat than with a scoop of chilly, delicious ice cream? National Ice Cream Day is on July 19, and several local ice cream shops have sweet treats (and even sweeter deals) to celebrate.

 is a family-owned business located inside the Reading Terminal Market. Originally opened in 1861, it’s the oldest operating ice cream company in the United States. Pick from over 30 ice cream flavors including coffee & cookies, Irish potato, and Moose Tracks. Vegan ice cream is available in cookies & cream, strawberry, and vanilla.

Weckerly’s uses a traditional French-style custard base for its ice cream and makes everything in-house, from its sauces to cones, at its production shop in Frankford. At its ice cream shops in either 

, select flavors such as Italian Summer (which includes lemon olive oil cake pieces), blackberry cheesecake, and banana bread. Several scoops, pops, and sandwiches are also vegan-friendly, using a coconut cream and cocoa butter base.

 first opened in Northern Liberties in 1889 and continues to make sweets at its current location in Chestnut Hill. Its 

 is open daily, treating patrons to ice cream, sundaes, ice cream cakes, and water ice. On July 19, Bredenbeck’s is running a 

. Winners just arrived in Graduate Hospital, and is leaning into its positive theme with flavors like victory vanilla, sweet success s’mores, and cheer up churro. Come for the treat of champions and leave with a pep in your step.

If you’re having an ice cream emergency and have no time to walk in, not to worry. 

Pick from over 20 hard ice cream flavors. Its soft-serve has a few dairy-free options, including pineapple Dole Whip and mango Dole Whip.

 is celebrating its first anniversary on July 18, just in time for National Ice Cream Day. The first 50 customers who stop by will receive a free single scoop or cone. The 

 include ube brownie, green tea matcha, and vegan Vietnamese coffee. The toppings feel endless, with choices like Pocky, boba, and mochi.

More Ice Cream, Gelato, & Water Ice Recs

 Ice cream is the perfect summertime treat. Cool down with classic flavors to innovative twists at these parlors.

Best Ice Cream Shops in Philadelphia

Where To Celebrate National Ice Cream Day in Philly

 combines the cultural tastes of Bishara Kuttab, who is Palestinian, and his wife Zohra Saibi, who is Algerian. Opened in 2022, the shop sells imported organic products from the Middle East and North Africa, including desserts, roasted nuts, spices, and soaps.

Julia De Burgos Bookstore (West Kensington)

, operated by the community-based cultural organization Taller Puertorriqueño, is the only bilingual bookstore in Philadelphia that specializes in Puerto Rican and Latin American cultures. It also sells locally made merchandise including stickers, jewelry, candles, and tote bags.

The Czerw brothers operate the legendary neighborhood spot on Tilton Street that has served kielbasa, pierogies, and other Polish fare since it was founded by Jan Czerw in 1938 (the shop has made such an impression in the neighborhood that Tilton Street was renamed Czerw Way last year). Catch me in line at 

International Foods & Spices (University City)

A family-owned Indian and South Asian grocery in University City, 

has been a cornerstone in the neighborhood since 1987. Best-known for its handmade samosas, the shop also sells a variety of spices, injera, bread, sauces, frozen meals, ice cream, and a selection of halal meats.

Chocolate Arts & Crafts (Passyunk Square)

Despite its name, you’ll find mostly handcrafted Mexican goods like pottery, masks, art, apparel, and gifts at Chocolate Arts & Crafts, which goes by 

. The colorful boutique boasts everything from wrestling masks to Día de Los Muertos decor.

After spending weeks hosting fans from every corner of the globe, it feels like the perfect time to explore the international markets, import shops, and specialty stores that make Philly one of the country's most diverse shopping destinations. 


Shop the World Without Leaving Philly 

Abby Fritz

MLB has taken over Philly with events and celebrations leading up to the 2026 All-Star Game tomorrow at Citizens Bank Park. Six Phillies will represent our city at the game, which hasn't been held here since 1996.

While the July 14 game headlines the week of events, tonight you can see (arguably) the most exciting All-Star week happening: the Home Run Derby, which will feature Phillies Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. Considering our stadium is among the most 

, it's sure to be an out-of-the-park night. So in advance of the derby at 8 p.m., here's how the Phillies have done in the years since the annual competition started in 1985.

. Ryan Howard, who spent his entire career with the Phillies as a first baseman, made three appearances.

Two Phillies have won the competition. The first was in 2005; Bobby Abreu hit 41 home runs, setting a record at the time. One homer went 517 feet, which remains one of

 the longest home runs in the derby's history

. The next year, Ryan Howard hit 23 homers at Pittsburgh's PNC Park to take home the title.

This will be the second time Philly has hosted the derby; the last was in 1996. No Phillies participated in the competition at Veterans Stadium that ended with Barry Bonds of the Giants beating the Athletics' Mark McGwire. 

The stands were not full, and the event wasn’t even held in prime time.

. He was on the Nationals when he won in 2018, beating out Kyle Schwarber, who was then on the Cubs. Now teammates, Harper and Schwarber will face off against each other in the eight-player competition this year. Harper announced last week he'd be joining the lineup with a social media post captioned:

, but Schwarber has hit more dingers than Harper has so far this season.

A few changes are coming to this year's derby, which will be live-streamed on Netflix. Instead of timed rounds, the competitors will have a limited number of swings. There will be 20 in the first round and 15 in the second and final rounds. But if a player hits a homer on the last swing, they can keep swinging until they don't hit another. The top four players advance to the second round, and the final round will be a head-to-head battle. Ties in the first round will be determined by distance. If a tie occurs in the second or final round, a three-swing swing-off will break it.

Philly brings the heat to the annual MLB power-hitter competition.

The Phillies' History of Hit It Out of the Park at the Home Run Derby

Phillies' Home Run Derby History

People, places, and scenes from Philadelphia's past.

Philly History

This mini-crossword is filled with clues on Philly history and headlines. 

Can You Solve This Philly-Themed Crossword?