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City Cast Philly

Marie Albiges

Opened in 2010, Fairmount Bicycles sells new and used bikes and offers tuneups

and repair classes. The shop’s guided rides are super popular, including a three-hour 

 offers handcrafted, sustainable, and functional goods, intentionally partnering with artisans from diverse backgrounds. Inside you’ll find everything from a display of locally made hot sauces to handcrafted pottery, candle holders, and recycled clothing.

Queer Candle Company (various markets and festivals)

While this queer-owned candle company doesn’t have a physical storefront, you can catch it at various farmer’s markets, festivals, and events across town, including this weekend at the 

 (June 28). Nearly a dozen small Philly businesses also carry these candles, including 

South Philly Yarn and Craft (East Passyunk)

If you’re looking to put down your phone and pick up a craft, head to 

in East Passyunk, where you’ll find an eclectic mix of high-quality, sustainable yarn materials and tools. There’s also classes and workshops for learning to knit, crochet, and drop spindle, with various levels for beginners and more advanced crafters.

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

City Cast Philly staff

Philadelphia has one of the hottest food scenes in the country — just ask the Michelin Guide, which 

awarded three Philly restaurants a Michelin star

Since our culinary landscape is constantly growing and changing, we’re here to help you stay on top of it all. Here’s a recap of some of the Philly restaurants, bars, cafés, and other food spots that have recently opened.

Blue Warbler | 8001 Germantown Ave. (Chestnut Hill)

From coffee to cocktails, this restaurant serves diners all day long. The 

brainchild of Chestnut Hill’s Fred Mogul

, the menu combines Mediterranean, Jewish, Persian, Balkan, and American cuisines to create casual yet unexpected combinations of pescatarian, vegan, and vegetarian dishes.

Café Tinto | 143 E Wyoming Ave. (Feltonville)

Do you ever get a midday craving for breakfast? Well 

 serves it through the afternoon. Specializing in Colombian food and coffee, you can order empanadas and guayaba pastries IRL or have them delivered via DoorDash.

Officially open for regular dining with a 

winery downstairs and a restaurant upstairs

, this spot allows diners to pick their preferred vibe. Maybe you're in the mood for a tasting of small-batch wines, or perhaps you prefer to hang out with a signature cocktail and seasonal plate? All are options.

The Garden at City Tavern | 138 S 2nd St. (Old City)

 City Tavern was closed for around six years. Now 

 its yard for outdoor dining, drinks, and colonial history programming.

Winners Ice Cream | 1610 South St. (Graduate Hospital)

Created as a place to celebrate the wins in life, 

takes on South Street with small-batch ice creams in flavors like MVPeanut Butter Crunch and Summer Slam Strawberry. If you swing by, make sure to write your successes on a sticky note and add it to the 

Soufiane at the Morris | 225 S 8th St. (Washington Square West)

Combining a Parisian brasserie with Moroccan influences gets you 

, you can order dishes like escargot and bone marrow.

Philly Surf Club | 699 N. Broad St. (West Poplar)

, Beverage Director Nico Diaz and Culinary Director Natalie Maronski laid down permanent roots with this 

 in the Divine Lorraine building. All drinks are inspired by different beach towns from around the globe. I'll be getting my cocktail with a rubber toy on top when I order 

South Philly Barbacoa at Triple Bottom Brewing | 915 Spring Garden St. (Poplar)

The widely recognized Chef Cristina Martinez is expanding her South Philly Barbacoa concept to 

 on Spring Garden Street. After selling her authentic Mexican lamb tacos and sweet tamales at pop-ups at the brewery (which City Cast Philly 

highlighted for its apprenticeship program)

, the collaboration is becoming official with a 

Mr. Edison | 200 S Broad St. (Rittenhouse Square)

The newest restaurant coming from big-time restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow is the Thomas Edison-inspired supper club, 

 with a Ferris wheel-adorned bar, you can expect extravagant meals with live music.

Love City Brewing & Sophie’s BBQ | 4323 Main St. (Manayunk)

The taproom and BBQ joint have joined forces to be your one-stop shop for beers and brisket inside the former Fat Lady Brewing. 

 offers everything from BBQ sliders to smokehouse nachos. 

 has an extensive drink menu, with plenty of non-alcoholic options as well, and leans on Philly-centric naming. City Cast Philly producer Abby Fritz recommends trying the smoked chicken sandwich.

Mod Spuds | 1424 South Street (Graduate Hospital)

 to make its grand return, but in the meantime, Chef Ange Branca is introducing us to her latest concept, 

. Originally a one-month residency at Comfort & Floyd, Branca’s Philly and Malaysian spin on the classic loaded jacket potato took off. The new brick-and-mortar features the Mod Spud (baked beans, chili con carne, scallion), Philly Spud (cheesesteak, pepper relish), and a build-your-own-spud option.

Universal Bread Bakers | 2921 E. Thompson St. (Port Richmond)

Romanian chef Andrian Sulea is your new source for freshly baked bread in the morning. 

 for French baguettes, rye bread, and other baked goods.

 finally has a full food menu. Munch on charcuterie and housemade pastas with seasonal ingredients and wash it all down with a selection from the downstairs winery.

Ciddiany’s Coffee & Bakery | 116 W. Wyoming Ave. (Feltonville)

 has expanded with a larger, sit-down, pretty pink cafe with a full food menu perfect for brunch. Menu items include ceviche, pasta, fresh pastries, and of course tres golpes (“the three hits”) — a classic Dominican breakfast consisting of mashed green plantains accompanied by salami, cheese, and eggs, topped with pickled red onions.

Dawn Cafe | 2237 Grays Ferry Ave. (Graduate Hospital)

Philly’s cafe scene just got bigger. The 

 offers your standard espresso and coffee drinks, as well as sweet and savory pastries and sandwiches.

Bar Ilu | 2118 E. Dauphin St. (East Kensington)

Spanish-inspired corner bar and restaurant

 is serving up croquettes, grilled shrimp, and calamari bocadillos. For drinks you can choose from drinks like “Lifetime Ban,” “Remember the Alimony,” or a zero-proof passionfruit tonic.

Karak Cha House and Kabobeesh | 3748 Lancaster Ave. (University City)

This is your one-stop shop for halal Pakistani food in West Philly. From 

, you can sip on traditional or fruity teas, refreshers, and shakes. Highlights include brown sugar cardamom cha, rooh afza refresher, and a mango shake. If you’re looking to fill your stomach, 

 is serving up kabobs, curries, and sandwich rolls with daily specials including lamb kabobs, fried fish, and tandoori chicken. Both businesses can be found in the same building.

 recently expanded to its second Philly location. Promising a menu that’s both healthy and accessible, The Juice Pod sells cold-pressed juices, superfood smoothies, and açai bowls.

Mr. Fries Man | 2313 Frankford Ave. (Fishtown)

Locally owned and operated by the team behind 

, this L.A. street vendor-turned-chain is hopping coasts with its new location. 

’s menu focuses on loaded fries, including honey garlic with shrimp and bacon cheddar. Coming soon exclusively to the Philly location: cheesesteak fries.

Rougarou Baking | 526 S. 4th St. (Queen Village)

Queen Village’s bakery scene just got bigger. 

’s Jewish and Cajun shop offers delectable sweet and savory pastries from chocolate babka and lemon meringue tart to cardamom buns and jambalaya hand pies.

Iron Hill Brewery | 1150 Market St. (Center City)

 is back on Market East under new ownership. 

 include the chicken pot pie, beer-battered fish and chips, and baby back ribs. Patrons can select from over 20 craft beers to wash down their meal. If you’re just outside of Philly, locations in Huntington Valley and Wilmington are set to reopen soon.

,” thanks to the abundance of gourmet cookie shops in the neighborhood. Blueprint Cookies relaunched earlier this month as Cookie Head, offering four core flavors: chocolate chip, cookies & cream, sugar cookie, and chocolate peanut butter. Each month, the shop rotates a selection of special flavors, such as guava cheesecake. There’s also a selection of vegan and gluten-free treats!

 | 501 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd., Suite 2003 (Northern Liberties)

Enjoy waterfront views at this new tavern located along the Delaware River, the latest venture from the owners behind Libertee Grounds. The bar offers tavern plates including burgers, oysters, steak frites, and oven-roasted wings. If you’re looking to try unique cocktails, go for the caramelized onion martini.

 in the country) has finally arrived! Located inside the former Reef Restaurant & Lounge, the bar has two floors for sapphics to gather. The menu includes hot dogs (real meat and vegan options), grilled cheese, and toasted chickpeas. For drinks, you can grab the “Butch Bait” or “Touch-Me-Not” cocktails, or select a beverage from the mocktail menu.

 | 1099 Germantown Ave. (Northern Liberties)

Michelin-winning chef Laurent Tourondel is bringing wood-fired cooking to Northern Liberties. Guests can expect a flavorful, seasonal menu with dishes such as grilled branzino, prime rib, and orange-spiced duck breast.

Chinatown’s latest addition is right next to its iconic Friendship Gate. The Japanese chain with a cult-like following is bringing its 

. Choose from flavors like matcha, Oreo, chocolate, or the original with a vanilla bean custard filling.

If you were sad to see Mac Mart’s brick-and-mortar store close its doors, fear not. Your mac-and-cheese needs can still be met at its new kiosk right outside the Comcast Center. You can also grab hoagies, cupcakes, and other treats from local eateries.

Pick up a bottle or attend a tasting at Lovat Square, where wine connoisseurs and casual drinkers can browse a selection of 400 wines. The new addition to Chestnut Hill is opening in phases, with outdoor dining in the garden in the spring and a full-service restaurant and bar in the fall.

After making hoagies for over a century, Ricci’s is showing no sign of slowing down. The hoagie shop has expanded to Fishtown, where you can grab a chicken salad hoagie, black pepper turkey hoagie, or the corned beef special.

Philly loves its cheesesteaks and hoagies, but pretzels are another staple in this city. Go beyond the typical salted pretzel at Pretzel Day Pretzels, where you can order flavors like cinnamon sugar, longhots provolone, or s’mores.

Philly’s local culinary scene is constantly growing and changing. Here’s a recap of some of the restaurants, bars, cafés, and other delicious spots that have opened since 2024. Check them out! 

New Philadelphia Restaurant Openings, June 2026

Your Guide to New Restaurants, Bars & Cafés in Philly

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

Abby Fritz

Philadelphians are lucky to be surrounded by 

 whether they’re right in the city at Wissahickon Valley Park and Pennypack Park, or in the surrounding counties. With 

, you can cover new ground by finding people to share these adventures with.

The robust local trail system has fostered a community of hiking groups that bring together enthusiasts and newbies alike. Joining a trail club can introduce you to new hikes, help you feel safer on trails, and get you outside.

“BATONA” is an acronym for the phrase "back to nature," and 

 gave its moniker to a 53-mile trail in South Jersey back in 1961. This club goes back all the way to the 1920s and organizes meetups every weekend for both long and short hikes in and around Philly.

Body Liberation Hiking Club: Greater Philly Area

 gathers on the trails to celebrate the outdoors and all body types by making space for folks with marginalized bodies. 

 does more than just hike meetups; the group also organizes regional hikes paired with camping and swimming, and other day trips such as tubing and festival hangouts.

Focusing on wellness by prioritizing hiking and mental health, 

 is for Black women who want to share outdoor adventures. For over three years the group has organized hikes, trail runs, and meetups, sometimes partnering with other local organizations such as 

 centering health offers hikes, fitness challenges, social activities, travel experiences, and philanthropic opportunities. In the summer, the organization focuses on its 

 designed with the Upper Darby Township Recreation Department to introduce girls ages five to 12 to the outdoors.

, the nonprofit has been around since 1931. For $10 a year, you can become a member and join in on hikes most Saturdays and Sundays and bigger excursions like a yearly outing which has taken participants to Croatia, Italy, and the Czech Republic. The group also offers 

. Every event listing specifies the distance, location, time, and difficulty.

. While the focus is on the free seasonal hikes, you can also rock climb and bird watch with the group.

 has a membership-based program that aims to connect people through the outdoors. For $350 annually, you can participate in hiking, walking, classes, a book club, and other activities. With partners like REI, Free People Movement, and HOKA, this club has expanded significantly since its inception. It does host some free community hikes and other ticketed offerings if membership isn't your jam.

Hike with friends, or make new ones, by joining these Philly-area clubs.

Hiking in Philly and Beyond With These Groups

Philly’s Hiking Clubs

Find the best of everything that Philadelphia has to offer.

Philly’s Best

Philly's Best

A queer-owned small business, Trunc offers handcrafted, sustainable, and functional goods, intentionally partnering with artisans from diverse backgrounds.

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Fairmount Bicycles (Fairmount)

Trunc (Northern Liberties)

Queer Candle Company (various markets and festivals)

South Philly Yarn and Craft (East Passyunk)

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