Beyond the Cheesesteak: The Ultimate Philadelphia Transplant Guide

Welcome to Philadelphia! It’s the city of brotherly love, cheesesteaks, Ben Franklin and Rocky Balboa. And I don’t think you need me to tell you, it’s also a lot more than that.

Philly is a big city. It’s diverse. It’s a city that often changes drastically from neighborhood to neighborhood, and as clichéd as it might sound, there’s something here for everyone.

The sixth-largest city in the United States by population, Philadelphia is a dynamic, modern city that also offers no shortage of historic charm. Many of its oldest neighborhoods were laid out in the 1600s, and modern developments are often a stone’s throw from blocks of homes that date to the 19th century or before.

I’m Richard, and I’m excited to be your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a closer look at what life in Philly is really like, from the food scene and nightlife to public transportation and real estate.

Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in Philadelphia

Current Pricing for Philadelphia Rental Homes

The Lay of the Land: Getting Around in Philly

One of the first and most important things to understand about Philadelphia is that it’s a city of neighborhoods. They’re all interconnected, but each is distinct. Many Philly neighborhoods feel like their own little worlds—small towns within the greater city.

Old City has its historic charm and cobblestone streets. Northern Liberties has its eclectic bohemian vibe. Spruce Hill and Cedar Park have their collegiate atmosphere and stately Victorian homes. Trendy and up-and-coming neighborhoods, like Fishtown, Point Breeze, East Falls and Brewerytown are populated by newcomers and transplants as well as families who have been rooted on the same streets for generations.

Many neighborhoods are walkable and bike friendly, with their own little main streets and abundant shopping and dining options that are easy to get to. That being said, Philadelphia as a whole is a big city. A car is nice to have, but it’s not essential. Cabs and Ubers are everywhere, and Philly’s public transportation is top notch.

Many locals take the train to and from work, and SEPTA (the South Eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) maintains an interconnected network of subway, elevated and trolley lines that tie the city together. The north-to-south Broad Street Line and the east-to-west Market-Frankford line are the go-tos for many commuters.

Places to Go, Things to See: Exploring Philly’s Attractions

It takes a lifetime—maybe longer—to really see everything Philadelphia has to offer. The city has more than its fair share of famous attractions, and when one is visiting for a few days, it’s well worth taking the time to play the hits. You certainly won’t regret seeing the Liberty Bell, touring Independence Hall, or running up the “Rocky” steps to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

But for folks who are thinking about living here, I recommend digging a little deeper and uncovering some of the unique, local favorites that don’t necessarily appear in the tourist guidebooks. These, in no particular order, are just a few of my favorite ways to see Philly like a local.

The Philadelphia Food Scene

I don’t even know where to begin with Philadelphia’s food scene. It’s exciting, eclectic and endlessly unique. From diners that have been open for 80-plus years to cutting-edge fine dining establishments, this city has everything. And as of 2025, Philadelphia is finally getting its own Michelin Guide. Long overdue, if you ask me.

If there’s one place to start exploring Philadelphia’s food scene, it’s Reading Terminal Market, a bustling indoor market in Center City with a dizzying array of vendors. Yes, it’s a bit of a tourist destination, but it’s equally beloved by locals who dine and buy groceries here.

Next, head just a couple of blocks northeast, and you’ll find yourself in Chinatown, where venerable establishments like Nan Zhou and Spice C serve hand-drawn noodles alongside establishments that specialize in Japanese, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Thai and Indian cuisine, among others.

I would argue that no neighborhood is more closely associated with food than Bella Vista, a historically Italian section of South Philly that is home to the open-air 9th Street Italian Market. Here you’ll find Ralph's Italian Restaurant, which has been open since 1900, making it the oldest Italian restaurant in America. Bella Vista’s food scene has also diversified in the 21st century. Try the tacos at South Philly Barbacoa and the Cambodian noodles at Mawn; both are James Beard Award-winners.

I feel like I must, at least briefly, acknowledge cheesesteaks. Everybody wants to know where to get the best one, and the answers vary widely. Pat’s and Geno’s, two rival stalwart sandwich shops in East Passyunk Crossing, are commonly cited among the best. I must also tip my hat to John’s Roast Pork in South Philly, and to Dalessandro's Steaks up in Roxborough.

Live Music and Nightlife

If there’s one thing Philadelphia does better than almost any other city, it’s upholding the esteemed tradition of the neighborhood bar. All across the city, beloved local watering holes where regulars and newcomers alike can belly up to the bar, order a Citywide, and shoot the breeze with friends old and new.

Excellent bars in Philly are too numerous to list, but I especially want to shout out a few greats. Check out McMenamins Tavern in Germantown for the laid-back vibe and ridiculously good pub food. Visit A.Bar in Rittenhouse Square for meticulously crafted cocktails in a sleek, modern space. Hit up American Sardine Bar in Point Breeze for the great patio, rotating craft beer taps and tinned-fish-centric charcuterie boards. And don’t miss Tattooed Mom, with its grungy hipster ambiance and vegan menu, in Queen Village.

Another thing I love about Philadelphia is its Music Scene. You’ll find the best local bands and touring indie acts at beloved establishments like Johnny Brenda’s in Fishtown and Milkboy at Center City. More established artists often grace the stages of Franklin Music Hall and The Fillmore, while truly massive venues like the Wells Fargo Center have hosted the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam.

Art and Culture

Philadelphia is an endlessly enjoyable place to live if you love the arts. First and foremost, while it isn’t a ‘hidden gem’ by any stretch of the imagination, the Philadelphia Art Museum is an absolute must-visit. It literally takes days to see the whole thing, but admission is free on Wednesdays from 5 to 8:45 pm—so that’s a good time to start!

You’ll also discover a wide range of lesser-known museums in Philadelphia, like the Museum for Art in Wood, the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum and the Wagner Free Institute of Science. That last one has been open since the Civil War, and it has one of the coolest collections of fossils and specimens I’ve ever seen.

First Friday art events provide splendid opportunities to gallery-hop in areas like Old City, Fishtown, Kensington and Cherry Street Pier. Philly also has over 4,000 murals, making it one of the best cities in America for public art. Don’t skip a trip to Magic Gardens, an immersive public art project that spans three city lots on South Street.

Shopping in Philly

Shoppers can rest assured that Philadelphia has plenty of opportunities for retail therapy. Most of the major department stores have outposts here, and malls like the Shops at Liberty Place and King of Prussia sell everything under the sun. But I would argue that Philadelphia’s local, boutique shopping is a lot more compelling.

Rittenhouse Square is famous for its upscale shopping, Antiques Row in Washington Square West for its vintage finds, and Center City for its Fashion District. There are also pockets of walkable retail greatness in neighborhoods all over the city, from the 52nd Street and Baltimore Avenue corridors in West Philly to Second Street in Northern Liberties and Girard Avenue in Fishtown.

Parks and Recreation

Philadelphia is perfect for folks who want to live in a major city with major city amenities, but still have access to plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation. One of my favorite things about Philadelphia is that there are endless places to hike, run, ride a bike, even fish and kayak.

Let’s start with Fairmount Park, which is basically the crown jewel of the city’s park system. The park encompasses both banks of the Schuylkill River between Center City and West Philadelphia, spanning 9,200 acres. That’s a little over 10 times the size of New York’s Central Park. There’s so much to explore here—woodlands, hiking and horseback riding trails, the Philadelphia Zoo and the Shofuso Japanese House and Garden to name a few.

A bit less well-known than Fairmount Park is Wissahickon Valley Park, a truly wild and beautiful 2,000-acre urban oasis in Northwest Philadelphia. This is probably my favorite place to hike and escape into nature in Philadelphia. Check out the Wissahickon Gorge North Loop Trail, which forms a spectacular 5.2-mile loop through rugged gorges and includes views of multiple waterfalls.

For some aquatic adventure, visit Darby Creek in South Philly’s 1,200-acre John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum. Visitors can launch a canoe or kayak near the Visitor Center to explore miles of tidal creeks and marshes. Anglers will also find lots to love in the Philadelphia area, including excellent bass and catfish fishing in both the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers.

Best Philadelphia Neighborhoods to Move To

Each of Philadelphia’s neighborhoods offers something different, and there are a lot of great options, depending on what you’re looking for. These are some of the best Philly neighborhoods that offer what I consider to be a great balance of convenience, amenities and livability.

Chestnut Hill

This Northwest Philadelphia neighborhood has a low crime rate and leafy streets lined with gorgeous historic homes. It definitely has a small-town feel, and easy access to Wissahickon Valley Park is a major plus.

East Falls

Home to Thomas Jefferson University and the Drexel University College of Medicine, this cozy neighborhood is conveniently located on the east side of the Schuylkill River. It’s a short commute to Center City, and the neighborhood has some great local shops, cafes and restaurants.

Fishtown

Some would call Fishtown vibrant and artsy, others might less charitably call it noisy and gentrified. Say what you will, it’s become one of Philadelphia’s trendiest neighborhoods in the 21st century, as new generations of young residents “discover” it. You simply can’t beat the bar scene, artistic vibe and eclectic shops.

Society Hill

An historic neighborhood in Center City, Society Hill offers high-end bars and restaurants as well as the city’s oldest farmers’ market. The cost of living is higher here than some parts of the city, but you can’t beat the location. Homes range from 19th century brick row houses to modern condominiums.

Queen Village

“Charming” is the word I most often hear to describe Queen Village. Located just south of Society Hill, it has innovative restaurants and a buzzing nightlife scene, as well as tree-lined streets with beautiful old Colonial houses.

Manayunk

Hugging the Schuylkill River banks in Northwest Philly, this increasingly trendy little neighborhood is known for its hilly topography and small-town vibe, including a lively Main Street and residential areas made up of rowhouses, lofts and Victorian homes.

Cedar Park

Mostly residential with a deeply-rooted community, Cedar Park is a friendly (and dog-friendly) neighborhood in West Philadelphia. It’s known for its Queen Anne homes and Bohemian spirit, and it’s just a 10-minute walk from University City.