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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

Cheesesteaks may be the first food that comes to mind when you think of Philly, but another sandwich deserves the spotlight just as much. Hoagies are a part of the city’s identity, so much so that they were once declared 

.” While there’s disagreement on how the name exactly came to be, two things are certain: Philly loves eating hoagies and 

. For National Eat a Hoagie Day, here are our recs for where to grab this classic sandwich.

Aside from “The Italian,” you can chow down on 

 — stuffed with fresh mozzarella, parma prosciutto, arugula, tomato, and lemon spritz — or “The Bucci,” served with Italian tuna, long hots, and sharp provolone. Keep an eye out for its weekly special.

Vegans can enjoy an animal product-free version of the sandwich at 

. “The Phoagie” includes eggplant, avocado, onions, cilantro, and pho sauce on a seeded roll.

Chef Anthony Bourdain featured this restaurant and its owner 

, saying: “Yeah, OK, he isn’t Italian, but he serves a mean sandwich here, most of them as batsh** crazy as he is.” This sandwich shop takes pride in its 

, including the “Daddy Wad” loaded with classic Italian meats. If you’re feeling adventurous, order the “Bolognese,” a lasagna-stuffed sandwich served on a hoagie roll.

Despite nearly 90 years in business, the grocery store L. Manusco and Son only started serving 

. Don’t let that deter you from trying this South Philly staple’s hoagies, which range from the “Old Italian Speciality Hoagie” to the “Dry Cured Capicola Hoagie” to the “Mixed Cheese Hoagie.”

This place went viral for its chicken cutlet sandwich, but there are plenty of other 

. You can order the “Vegan Jawn” (two versions), the “Jerk Chicken Salad Hoagie,” or the “Italian Salumeria.”

For those living northwest of the city, you don’t have to travel to the opposite side of Philly for a sandwich. Along with its regular menu, 

 including the “Ragin’ Cajun” with buffalo chicken and Cajun mayo, “Sweet Summer” with honey maple turkey, and the “Tony” with meatballs.

Whether you’re craving a classic Italian hoagie or a bold spin on the sandwich, these Philly restaurants have you covered.

Where To Eat the Best Hoagies in Philadelphia

Where To Grab a Hoagie 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

City Cast Philly staff

✏️ Find past crossword puzzles below:

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

Can You Solve This Philly-Themed Crossword?

Play Our Philly Crossword Puzzle

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

Philly, Explained

Marie Albiges

Philly takes its Eagles fandom seriously, and thankfully, you don’t have to settle for the same jersey or sweatshirt everyone else is wearing. The city is full of small businesses selling Eagles gear with a little more personality, from vintage jerseys and starter jackets to polka-dotted Kelly green sweatshirts and Philly-made accessories. Here are a few of our favorites.

There’s an entire room in this thrift shop dedicated to vintage Philly sports merchandise, and it’s stocked and ready for the season. Owner Kelli Piell 

, including starter jackets, jerseys, hats, and paraphernalia.

MBTN — “Made by Taylor Nicole” — is a small-batch lifestyle brand founded by Temple University alum (

!) Taylor Zubkousky. I absolutely love her 

this vintage kelly green mockneck with polka dots

This Philly-themed boutique is for the girlies. Find Eagles 

 sourced from local Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York artists.

, make the trip to West Chester’s Jawn Supply for vintage Eagles merch. The store is 

 and releasing a limited-edition merch collab.

Where to Shop for Eagles Gear in Philadelphia

Where to Shop for Eagles Gear Locally 

Sign up for Keep It Local from City Cast Philly

Keep It Local

The list of current and former Philadelphia pro sports players, staff, and celebrities who have worn Jay Pross’ designs is long and includes names like Eagles players Cooper DeJean and Eric Allen, 

“When he first became our coach, I sent him a handwritten letter with a bunch of shirts just saying, ‘Welcome to Philly, we got your back if you need anything,’” Pross, owner and creative director behind Art History 101, said. The two now exchange Christmas cards.

easily enough around Philly. They’re usually bold, illustrative and retro-looking; the message is often tongue-in-cheek (like this 

 of offensive lineman Landon Dickerson who, after signing an $84 million contract extension, 

“My roots in Philly just run so deep and I think people can see the authenticity,” Pross said. “The designs we put out, they are so relatable to people that love Philadelphia.”

 and invites them to the store in North Philadelphia’s Mayfair neighborhood for a meet-and-greet, like he did earlier this summer with Australian-born Eagles left tackle Jordan Mailata, whose “

Pross loves to capture significant cultural events on T-shirts too: The moment Saquon Barkley pulled the insane move of a 

reverse hurdle over a Jacksonville Jaguars defender

 in a November 2024 game, Pross knew he had to 

 features Eagles legend and chief security officer Domenico “Big Dom” DiSandro, reimagined as your favorite senior class president.

For the upcoming season, Pross teased two new releases — a biker-themed Eagles design, and a 

design featuring the Frankford Yellow Jackets

If you’re looking to stand out this season and own a piece of the cultural Zeitgeist, Art History 101 is the place to go.

The list of current and former Philadelphia pro sports players, staff, and celebrities who have worn Jay Pross’ designs is long and includes names like Eagles players Cooper Dejean and Eric Allen, actor Bradley Cooper, and Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni. Pross frequently collaborates with players on designs and invites them to his Art History 101 store in North Philadelphia’s Mayfair neighborhood.

Art History 101 is the Philly Streetwear Brand That Gets Eagles Culture

The Philly Streetwear Brand That Gets Eagles Culture 

Fall is the time to turn your attention to Philly sports. Football season returns Sunday with our two-time Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, facing off against the team from Washington (whatever their name is these days) Meanwhile the Phillies are chasing another Red October while the Philadelphia Union is heating up as we head into the back end of the soccer season. And training camps for the new Sixers and Flyers seasons are just around the corner. If you can’t score tickets to games for all of those teams this season, munch on some wings and throw back some drinks at these local bars and restaurants.

 offers a chill, neighborhood vibe right on South Street. 

 runs Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. If you’re feeling hungry, you can grab more than just fries. Its 

 includes good eats from crispy calamari to cheesesteak spring rolls to short rib tacos.

This Manayunk bar is your source for craft beer and community. At 

, you have 18 different screens to turn your attention to (sound 

of course). This spot also serves brunch on the weekends, so if there’s an early game scheduled, you can always dine in first and then gravitate towards the bar afterwards.

Before you shake your head at this one, hear me out. 

 is almost synonymous with Philly sports, as you can’t go to any stadium in the city without grabbing a bucket of crab fries. If you go to any of its restaurants on a Friday, take advantage of 

. While Chickie’s & Pete’s is in multiple locations, stay close to the explosive energy at the Linc by visiting its huge Packer Avenue location.

If you want to stick to South Philly but not hang right by the stadiums, check out 

. The menu also includes several vegan and gluten-free options (including a gluten-free roll for cheesesteaks).

 also wants to be your destination to hang out throughout the Eagles season. Every Sunday it’ll host an 

 complete with a live DJ, food and drink specials, and sound on. Reservations are recommended for tables, but the bar accepts walk-ins.

 promises family-friendly fun on game day. Located conveniently in Center City, the restaurant and bar plays games on 20 high-definition TVs. If you want to secure your spot, you can already place reservations for the entire Eagles season.

What’s your go-to spot to watch a game in the city? Let us know!

Fave Philly Sports Bars

Favorite Philly Sports Bars

Make one of these bars or restaurants your prime destination to root for Philly’s teams this season.

Your Guide to Philly Sports Bars

Watch Your Favorite Philly Sports at These Bars This Fall

Lizzie Goldsmith

Today is International Literacy Day! First, the good news: Philadelphia ranks 

 across the country in average learning rates, beating all 24 other big-city school systems it was evaluated against. However, just 33% of students in the city's school district are at or above grade level in reading, and over half of Philly adults under the age of 64 read at a fifth-grade level or below. While 3,000 people benefited from the city's adult education programs last year, 

. Here are some of the local organizations and programs working to promote literacy among children and adults.

State Sen. Vincent Hughes started Read to Succeed in 2012 as a resource for low-income families. R2S's focus was originally on children’s summer programming, but has since expanded to include additional offerings throughout the year, including a 

 (now enrolling for this school year), and parenting workshops.

In 2021, two long-time literacy programs merged to create Beyond Literacy, which serves 

 each year. BeLit offers hybrid and in-person classes, as well as a mobile learning lab, and 

 to step in as tutors, class aides, and more.

The Free Library's Culinary Literacy Center is taking English language instruction out of the classroom and into the kitchen! Designed for nonnative English speakers, Edible Alphabet gives adult students the opportunity to practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English while cooking a new recipe each week. You can sign up for an upcoming program 

To disrupt Philly’s low-literacy cycle, Achieve Now works with schoolchildren to provide high-quality tutoring and a research-based curriculum. And it’s working: Students experience a 70% average gain in foundational reading skills. In addition to its 

The foundational goal of Read by 4th is to ensure that every child in Philly can read at grade level by the time they enter fourth grade. This citywide coalition of family, community, and system leaders leads multiple initiatives, including 

. You can sign up for their monthly newsletter 

This nonprofit focuses on empowering teachers by providing instructional materials, professional coaching, advocacy, and other resources to help them help children achieve reading proficiency at or above grade level. Children’s Literacy Initiative started in Philly in 1988, and now partners with 250 schools in six states.

This AmeriCorps program employs full-time tutors for kindergarten through third-grade students. Using a research-based, teacher-endorsed curriculum, each tutor works with the same 20 students at the same school for the full academic year. Close to 1,000 children are supported by this program each year.

More than 95% of Philadelphia public schools lack a functioning library. The West Philadelphia Alliance for Children is changing that, however, by reopening and operating public school libraries and providing thousands of books. In addition to 

Learn more about the organizations in Philly that work to improve literacy among children and adults, and how you can get involved.

Literacy Organizations in Philly That You Should Know About

How To Help Promote Literacy in Philly

Are you ready for this week's news quiz? Test yourself on how well you've been paying attention to the news — and the newsletter — this week!

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

Sept. 27, 2024: Cheesesteak Trivia Edition

If you like what you see, subscribe to the 

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Philadelphia News Quiz & Trivia: September 04, 2026

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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

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