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City Cast Philly

Brittany Valentine

Free movie nights in parks across the city

Free daily recitals on the Wanamaker Organ at Macy’s

 on Thursday, July 6, along the 1200-1400 blocks of Point Breeze Ave

The Barnes Foundation is a must-visit in Logan Square. 

Woodmere Art Museum is also free on Sundays

The Fabric Workshop and Museum is free with a $5 suggested donation

 is happening now until July 4, and includes 35 cultural institutions

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

Siani Colón

This week in history, American author and poet Edgar Allan Poe 

 at the age of 40. Before that untimely death on Oct. 7, 1849, the prolific mystery and macabre writer left behind several iconic works, including “

More importantly, though, Poe lived in Philly.

Poe  hailed from Boston and grew up in Virginia. Unsatisfied with the lack of creative freedom while writing for a magazine in New York, he quit his job and moved to Philadelphia in 1838 with his young (and sick) wife and mother-in-law. He hoped to 

 while in the city, but while that dream never came to be his time in Philadelphia was considered his most productive. 

" (which likely drew inspiration from his home’s cellar), "

," "The Pit and the Pendulum," "Murders in the Rue Morgue" (considered the first modern detective story), and "

." He also wrote several essays, including "

," which describes the natural beauty of Philly’s Wissahickon Valley. He found a 

 and befriended talents such as Charles Dickens.

Living in Philly brought great success for Poe, but it was still a troubling time for him. In 1842, Poe 

, as he owed many debts. (Though that didn’t stop him from 

 his home beyond his means.) The poet was continuously down on his luck as he struggled to support his ill wife.

After living in Philadelphia for six years, Poe and his family returned to New York City, where he would stay until his death in Baltimore.

Poe lived in several homes during his short time here, but only one remains standing today. The 

 at 7th and Spring Garden Streets is a National Historic Site. The interior has limited furnishings but life-size illustrations of what the home may have looked like when he lived there.

Want to connect more with this adopted Philadelphian? Here’s how to engage with Poe’s legacy this month.

. Although the site is currently closed to visitors due on-going utilities improvements, you can view the home from outside. The National Park Service also has an online 

Poe is buried in Baltimore, but many of his friends, colleagues, and enemies are eternally resting inside the hallowed grounds of Laurel Hill Cemetery. On Oct. 31, 

 and learn the stories behind the graves of Poe’s Philadelphia.

The Free Library of Philadelphia’s Rare Book Department is home to an 

. Some documents include autographed manuscripts and letters, and the only surviving copy of “The Raven” in his handwriting. Some 

. The Free Library also has Charles Dickens’ 

, who may have inspired Poe’s iconic poem.

The “The Tell-Tale Heart” author lived in several homes in the city, but only one remains to this day. 

Edgar Allan Poe’s Best Years Were in Philadelphia

What’s Philly’s Connection to Edgar Allan Poe?

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

Philly History

Are you ready for our news quiz? Let’s see if you’re an expert on Philly’s latest news and trivia.

 I Know The Answer!

🌀 Looking for a previous Hey Philly quiz? Find it here:

Sept. 27, 2024: Cheesesteak Trivia Edition

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How well do you know Philly's latest headlines and historical facts? Try your hand at this quiz to find out!

Philadelphia News Quiz & Trivia: October 2, 2026

Prove Your Weekly Philly Knowledge

What Philadelphians have been wondering. We break down why things in Philadelphia are the way they are and how they work.

Philly, Explained

We have no tricks, only treats, to share with you this month. After a rainy September threw a wrench in our plans, Philly’s festival scene is showing no signs of slowing down. Pull out your cardigans and costumes, and venture the city streets to listen to ghostly tales, line up at the theater, or hunt for treasure.

, you can paint pumpkins, compete in a game of Family Feud, and make seasonal crafts on Oct. 10. The Northern Liberties Farmers Market is hosting a 

 on Oct. 24, complete with a costume contest and trick-or-treating. Pick pumpkins along the Delaware River at this 

Face Your Fears at These Halloween Haunts

Eastern State Penitentiary’s Halloween Nights

 are both officially open now through Nov. 7. If you like scary movies, 

 on Oct. 6. The Glen Foerd Mansion is giving a 

 in Chestnut Hill on Oct. 17 (while giving back to the Free Library). Hear 

 from across the globe at Bloomsday on Oct. 27.

Philadelphia Film Society’s largest festival

 returns for its 35th year, screening the best of cinema for 11 days straight. The 

 includes Martin McDonagh’s “Wild Horse Nine” and Ryūsuke Hamaguchi’s “All of a Sudden.” The full lineup drops Oct. 7, and the festival runs Oct. 15 through Oct. 25. Members and guests with festival badges can expect additional perks.

Head down to the home of the Philadelphia Union in neighboring Chester to see the 

. The U.S. Women’s national team will play Spain on Oct. 13. 

. Need to brush up on your soccer knowledge? Head to Chinatown’s Lion Sports Bar the day before for a 

October is Mural Arts Month, so check out Philly’s iconic street art and learn the stories behind them by taking an 

. Or go on a Streets Dept excursion for a 

 on Oct. 24. Are you a runner? Join a run this month with 

Recreate an iconic scene from the “Rocky” movie at the 

. Filbert Street will be shut down with frozen beef hanging for a photo-op. Participate in a look-alike contest and win a $200 giftcard for the market. The event is part of 

, a celebration in honor of the movie’s 50th anniversary.

 returns on Oct. 4, with deals at local restaurants. After that, close out Hispanic Heritage month with 

’s last day of the season is Oct. 31, so head down to FDR Park – the market won’t return until the spring.

If you are a coin collector, like scavenger hunts, or just want to win a grand prize, this one’s for you. Stack’s Bowers, a rare coin dealer, is hosting a 

 that arrives in Philly Oct. 13 through Oct. 17. Follow the clues to find hidden certificates for rare coins to add to your collection or sell them back for cash.

 karaoke party, and performances of “Rocky Horror Picture Show” on Oct. 3. Then, 

 on Oct. 11 for a festival with live poetry, dance parties, and a food truck market.

The Please Touch Museum turns 50! The interactive museum is 

 on Oct. 3 and Oct. 4 with free admission, free cupcakes, a collaborative birthday card, and live performances. This event kicks off a year of celebratory programming for the kids.

Mark your calendars with these frights and delights. This month, visit Philly’s pumpkin patches and haunted houses, or explore the city on a mural tour or scavenger hunt. 

Your Guide to Philadelphia in October 2026

How to Spend October 2026 in Philly

Find the best of everything that Philadelphia has to offer.

Philly’s Best

Philly's Best

Marie Albiges

October officially means cozy season in Philadelphia, and there are plenty of places around the city that capture that fall feeling. Here are four spots worth venturing out for that will give you maximum coziness.

In my opinion, few cafes are cozier to find yourself in than at 

 on Ridge Avenue. With its squishy mismatched armchairs, autumnal-colored walls, and stained-glass art, it’s the perfect place to get some work done with a latte, or meet friends for a cup of tea and a board game. Eremita’s 

 sound delicious: lattes in the form of maple pistachio, orange cardamom, and pumpkin cinnamon.

What could be cozier than making candles and drinking wine? This 

 lets you wander around its “Scent Cellar” with glass in hand to sniff more than 60 fragrances and blend scents into two custom 8-ounce candles. 

 for the candle-obsessed person in your life.

Give me a rainy day and hours to kill in a bookstore anytime. It’s easy to lose track of time at 

, the Queen Village staple that boasts a quarter acre of used books across several rooms and multiple floors, often stacked halfway to the ceiling. With its wooden floors, exposed brick walls, and hand-written signs, the shop is full of little nooks and crannies and furnished with mismatched, well-worn chairs where you can settle in with a book and get lost in everything from historical fiction to self-help.

The Random Tea Room and Curiosity Shop (Northern Liberties)

While studying abroad in England more than a decade ago, I developed a daily tea ritual. 

 understands the importance of that ritual, and they’ve created a cozy space where you can slow down and enjoy an international selection of teas and herbal blends. They occasionally host events, like 

gong-fu cha, or Chinese teatime, on Oct. 18.

Looking for a warm, cozy place to enjoy an autumn afternoon? Here are four spots in Philly sure to give you maximum coziness.

Where to Spend a Cozy Fall Afternoon in Philadelphia

Where to Spend a Cozy Fall Afternoon in Philly

Sign up for Keep It Local from City Cast Philly

Keep It Local

Stacy Morris often finds herself in unexpected places searching for treasures to stock her 

Sometimes she’s digging through cars. Other times it's flea markets. On a recent weekend, she was three floors into a four-story home in the Lehigh Valley during an estate sale when she followed her instinct to check the basement.

She found exactly what she was looking for: a collection of old wooden 

 — the wooden, often hand-painted cabinets that 19th-century Americans used for storing jams, pickles, and other food for the winter.

Morris collects these herself — she has three at home — and couldn’t wait to put this discovery in the Meadowsweet General Store. The shop is built around Morris’ vision of an early American general store, stocked with vintage workwear, flannels, and denim alongside quilts, baskets, folk art, furniture, rare books, and candles. Its setting — a 

 with indoor cobblestones, exposed brick, old fixtures, and wooden beams — only adds to the feeling that you’ve wandered into some well-curated version of the past.

Morris has been hunting down vintage since opening her first shop (in what is now the 

 kitchen) in Manayunk in 2011. She spends weekends traveling to markets and working with a network of longtime sources to fill her current Norris Square shop. She said she has developed something of a “spidey sense” for the objects she's after.

She'll sometimes spend six months to a year assembling vintage collections. Lately, her obsession has been miniature handmade log cabins.

“I stumble upon something that I'm looking for and it's almost like the universe is gifting me these things,” she said.

Stacy Morris’ three Meadowsweet picks for a cozier home:

: The mixed media and tattoo artist out of Reading will be displaying a collection of his work — repurposed found objects from the 1890s through the 1930s inspired by the aesthetics of tramp art, hobo jungles, and railroad monikers — at Meadowsweet during the month of November.

Stacy Morris stocks her store with treasures found in unexpected places. Here are the three items she thinks you need for a cozy fall season.

Philadelphia's Meadowsweet General Store is a Vintage Dream

A Philly Vintage Shop for Your ‘Little House on the Prairie’ Dreams 

From outdoor movie screenings to various events, there are plenty of free options to celebrate Philadelphia summer.

Summer Guide

Free Things To Do In Philly Summer 2023

Brittany Valentine

Movies:

Music:

Date Night Spots:

Groups:

Museums:

Parks and Trails:

Roller Skating Groups:

Wellness Events:

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