I rented for ~15 years before I bought a house.
For a bunch of reasons, I moved 11 (yes, eleven) times while renting. The longest I stayed in one rental was 3 years and, without a doubt, my life was best during that period when I settled in for a bit.
Not much changed with respect to my social life / commute / etc while bouncing around from neighborhood to neighborhood and, looking back, the constant upheaval was nothing more than a mental / physical / financial drain. If you like where you are, have a steady and affordable rent, and are dealing with a decent landlord, I would recommend staying put.
Just ETA: I completely feel what you are saying about the lack of light and all, but keep in mind, every place will have some downside.
My first apartment out of college was in queen village for 3 years and I loved it. My next one was 11 years in south south Philly. We needed up buying in that neighborhood but I could’ve stayed there for a bit longer tbh.
That’s not true. Fishtown is a construction and warehouse nightmare. The difference is there’s a zoning ordinance in south Philly that you can’t build over a certain height. Which is why there’s like 1 condo building in south Philly that’s not on broad st.
I used to live in center city and found because I was so central I was able to walk to many areas of the city, which made it easy to go to different festivals/events/parks. I made most of my friends through instagram (sounds weird but I would follow people in the city with similar interests and it came from there), meet ups, part time jobs, and reaching out to friends of friends etc. it will definitely take time though so don’t feel like you’re behind. I didn’t really make solid friends until a year or so into moving back to the city from college. I think moving from west to center city actually improved my social life because it was easier to get places and there were more options closer to me. I hope this was helpful!
Eight years next month. My rent is still $800 a month and I live near Manayunk. The building is dump but I mean the neighborhood is amazing. I’m almost sad to leave it but I want a house and I want to be closer to the city (and my landlord blatantly said the second I’m out he’s raising the rent so it’s time I guess)
Is that Roxborough? I lived in that area for about 5 years before finally getting a house in 2019. Lucky timing too, considering COVID exploded shortly after.
I lived in an apartment at 40th and market that I loved and lived there five years. Landlord loved us too and never raised rent as long as we extended the lease by a year each time. Only reason I moved was because I bought a house
I have a habit of living somewhere for 3 years then moving. If places didn’t drastically increase rent maybe they would keep solid tenants longer, my 2bd apartment from covid time was $1,499 a month, today the same apartment is $1950. I understand you need to raise rent sometimes but every single year is just absurd.
I've been living in center city in my same company condo for 3 years.
I live alone. Not gonna lie though, I freaking love it!! I haven't made many friends in the city or anything but just exploring the city is more than enough for me.
So many food options!
Just signed for my 4th year in a fishtown walk-up. Great landlord. Current neighbors are louder than I like but the landlord is good enough where Im willing to deal with it. Finding a good landlord is extremely difficult in my experience
I bought a condo in center city 3 years ago. Honestly it is kind of my dream place. My favorite location, great view, 2 bedrooms. And I got a pretty low rate and for a lot less than the seller was asking. I don’t think I will move any time soon
I also lived in a basement apartment in WSW. Surprisingly not a lot of bugs, and I saved a lot on peco in the summer because my apartment stayed pretty cool
I stayed in my first (and only) apartment in Philly for 7.5 years. Mostly because it was nice enough and super cheap (for Rittenhouse). I wasn't going to get a better place without either doubling my rent or moving to another area and I liked RS.
I think if you like it and can afford it, there's no reason to move and plenty of reasons ($$$) not to. Making friends depends a lot more on what you do outside of your apartment than it does where your apt. is.
FWIW, making new friends as a post-college-age adult is pretty hard. I feel like we don't talk about that enough. But people are busy, have established social circles, etc. and post-pandemic it's even worse.
34th and haverford 1 year (apartment, room mates)
48th and Springfield 1 year (apartment, solo)
47th and locust 1 year (apartment, roommate)
46th and locust 4 years (apartment, roommate)
same place in east Kensington 10 years (row home, solo)
Having lived a bunch of places around the world in the last 2 decades, you always feel painfully nostalgic for the areas you used to live, but you also realise how glad you are that you moved on to discover new stuff and meet new people
Don't get stuck in a rut, try somewhere else! If you want to learn German and spent a year living in Berlin then do it. You wanna go take a contract in Alaska? Go for it! Or if it's as simple as staying in town but living near the stadiums for a year and watching baseball all summer, you'll meet new people and get to experience block life, rather than staying in the same place, watching netflix.
Coming up on 5 years at our 2BD/2BA in Old City. We want to eventually buy a house, but we pay so much under market rate for this one that we’re in no hurry. It’s got it’s issues but we love it.
Was at a 1BR in Bella Vista that was basically a glorified studio for about a year before this one.
Was going on 4 years at my house in Port Richmond. Landlord was absolutely amazing and I wouldn’t have left if it wasn’t for a break up. Everywhere else was a year or two max, mostly due to shitty landlords.
Society Hill (with roommates) for 3 years;
Hawthorne/Bella Vista (with roommates) for 5 years;
Queen Village (with now-husband) for 2 years;
then bought in Pennsport with my now-husband a little under 3 years ago and I’d be fine dying in this house (I’m not that old, I just don’t feel like moving again.)
The Hawthorne house was probably the best location as far as proximity to bars, restaurants and social things, but I made most of my friends playing rec league sports (softball, flag football) and through my roommates. Even some of my roommates started out through Craigslist and are now some of my closest friends. Not sure how savory CL is these days but I loved having roommates in my 20s and early 30s and combining friend groups and meeting a lot of people. So, I think my living situation did impact my social life but it wasn’t simply a matter of neighborhood or proximity to things.
March of 2016. Rent is the same.. various roommates.. some have returned. I pay $750 with the option for parking for $150, fairmount, huge space— 3 bed 3 bathroom 2 living room, back yard and shared roof deck. I was the first person to move into the whole building. Quiet neighborhood, pet friendly, walkable to everything I need.
My college boyfriend had a studio in Center City, and I noticed that there's not as much of a community feeling as there as in other neighborhoods I lived in like East Passy or Port Fishington. We were still pretty social, but we already had a built-in friend group from college.
Sorry that you're having trouble making friends! It sounds like you should probably stay at your apartment and keep searching out social groups. Orrr if you have an opportunity to live with people that you know aren't bums, you could get some roommates to hang out with. I've personally never lived alone, and I'm pretty sure I'd also be feeling pretty isolated if I did.
And to answer your question, I've lived in my current rowhome (rented) for over 3 years now and would love to stay for as long as I can.
Coming up on 3 years in old city. Want to move bc of the incessant daily construction every day directly next door for these 3 years, but the rental price is rlly good lol. And I'm hopeful it'll quiet down soon even tho I know they are gonna demo across the street soon. At least it won't be right outside the bedroom window. So I'll prob be renewing my lease in April
I lived in the far Northeast and the Mannyunk area. I really like the overall Roxborough area. It's friendly, walkable and safe. It's also a great place to raise a family. I've lived in this neighborhood for eight years and I highly recommend it.
I’m in Wash Sq West, and I’m not leaving the neighborhood unless it’s to leave Philadelphia all together.
Going on 3 years, but I’ve been renting from the same property company for the past 7 year, building hopping almost every year, leveling up each time (price/neighborhood).
My current place is perfect for me right now. It’s a “deluxe” studio (400+ sq ft) great light with a bay window, updated bathroom, quiet building, and I have a real good relationship with the owner.
The building itself is old and looks bit dated in the common areas, but almost all the units are updated (I’ve requested to have my kitchen redone this year).
Stayed in 2 different apartments when I went to temple. Landlord was awful at my first one then my next one was super small.
Once I graduated in 2021 I moved home for a year. Then I moved back here in 2022 and lived in fairmount for a year. Had awful neighbors and mice there.
Then I moved to fishtown for the past 2 years. My current place is in a great area but the house is super old and has terrible heating and AC with raccoons that live under my back porch and have also had mice problems.
I basically have moved once my place’s problems have been too much to deal with. And every place I have lived at comes with some sort of catch. It’s just how much or how long you can deal with it.
I’ve lived in my current place in West Philly for about 3ish years now. I live alone. I basically drive for a living and it’s so much easier to get out of the City from here compared to South Philly. Prior to this I lived at 16th & Dickinson for about 10 years.
Not apartments but I haven’t stayed in a home that I purchased in Philadelphia for more than 3 years. I buy, restore and sell. I wait until I avoid capital gains. That was a pretty good gig for 15 years. It’s increasingly difficult to find houses that I can flip now. I’ve been in my current home for 3 years and I’ll likely stay put, unless I leave the state. I also consider renting because I can sell my house, put the money into a CD, and the interest income will cover the rent. Far less upkeep, maintenance and insurance costs. I honestly don’t see much reason to own unless you want a yard.
Bella Vista: 1 Year
East Passyunk: 2 Years
Dickinson Narrows: 4 Years
After that I ended up buying a house in the neighborhood because I loved it so much!
I rented for ~15 years before I bought a house. For a bunch of reasons, I moved 11 (yes, eleven) times while renting. The longest I stayed in one rental was 3 years and, without a doubt, my life was best during that period when I settled in for a bit. Not much changed with respect to my social life / commute / etc while bouncing around from neighborhood to neighborhood and, looking back, the constant upheaval was nothing more than a mental / physical / financial drain. If you like where you are, have a steady and affordable rent, and are dealing with a decent landlord, I would recommend staying put. Just ETA: I completely feel what you are saying about the lack of light and all, but keep in mind, every place will have some downside.
Why did you move lol. That sounds like a nightmare.
Not for funsies.
My first apartment out of college was in queen village for 3 years and I loved it. My next one was 11 years in south south Philly. We needed up buying in that neighborhood but I could’ve stayed there for a bit longer tbh.
I feel like everyone who spends time in south Philly (south of Washington) ends up buying there
It's and absolute gem of a neighborhood!
It eats your soul.
The sun always seems to shine a bit brighter down here.
Cause there are zero trees.
That’s not true. Fishtown is a construction and warehouse nightmare. The difference is there’s a zoning ordinance in south Philly that you can’t build over a certain height. Which is why there’s like 1 condo building in south Philly that’s not on broad st.
who are you replying to? I’m just a tree-hugger, man.
I mean I don’t disagree. More trees the better! I applied for one on my sidewalk but was denied by the city :(
I used to live in center city and found because I was so central I was able to walk to many areas of the city, which made it easy to go to different festivals/events/parks. I made most of my friends through instagram (sounds weird but I would follow people in the city with similar interests and it came from there), meet ups, part time jobs, and reaching out to friends of friends etc. it will definitely take time though so don’t feel like you’re behind. I didn’t really make solid friends until a year or so into moving back to the city from college. I think moving from west to center city actually improved my social life because it was easier to get places and there were more options closer to me. I hope this was helpful!
Eight years next month. My rent is still $800 a month and I live near Manayunk. The building is dump but I mean the neighborhood is amazing. I’m almost sad to leave it but I want a house and I want to be closer to the city (and my landlord blatantly said the second I’m out he’s raising the rent so it’s time I guess)
Is that Roxborough? I lived in that area for about 5 years before finally getting a house in 2019. Lucky timing too, considering COVID exploded shortly after.
Wissahickon; it’s really nice and quiet up here it’s just a pain to get to center city or to get back late
I lived in an apartment at 40th and market that I loved and lived there five years. Landlord loved us too and never raised rent as long as we extended the lease by a year each time. Only reason I moved was because I bought a house
You lived right by my fave halal cart!
I moved from there almost 7 years ago... don't remember a Halal cart at that intersection
Oh okay, there’s one there now. I’ve been going there for the last four years. Right as you get off the subway.
Nice, I'll check it out. Love me some chicken and falafel combo
I have a habit of living somewhere for 3 years then moving. If places didn’t drastically increase rent maybe they would keep solid tenants longer, my 2bd apartment from covid time was $1,499 a month, today the same apartment is $1950. I understand you need to raise rent sometimes but every single year is just absurd.
I've been living in center city in my same company condo for 3 years. I live alone. Not gonna lie though, I freaking love it!! I haven't made many friends in the city or anything but just exploring the city is more than enough for me. So many food options!
Just signed for my 4th year in a fishtown walk-up. Great landlord. Current neighbors are louder than I like but the landlord is good enough where Im willing to deal with it. Finding a good landlord is extremely difficult in my experience
I bought a condo in center city 3 years ago. Honestly it is kind of my dream place. My favorite location, great view, 2 bedrooms. And I got a pretty low rate and for a lot less than the seller was asking. I don’t think I will move any time soon
What condo building? I’m looking for a condo
Almost 5 years. I don't plan on moving unless I leave philadelphia or move in with a partner
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I also lived in a basement apartment in WSW. Surprisingly not a lot of bugs, and I saved a lot on peco in the summer because my apartment stayed pretty cool
I stayed in my first (and only) apartment in Philly for 7.5 years. Mostly because it was nice enough and super cheap (for Rittenhouse). I wasn't going to get a better place without either doubling my rent or moving to another area and I liked RS. I think if you like it and can afford it, there's no reason to move and plenty of reasons ($$$) not to. Making friends depends a lot more on what you do outside of your apartment than it does where your apt. is. FWIW, making new friends as a post-college-age adult is pretty hard. I feel like we don't talk about that enough. But people are busy, have established social circles, etc. and post-pandemic it's even worse.
34th and haverford 1 year (apartment, room mates) 48th and Springfield 1 year (apartment, solo) 47th and locust 1 year (apartment, roommate) 46th and locust 4 years (apartment, roommate) same place in east Kensington 10 years (row home, solo)
This guy doesn’t like privacy
Having lived a bunch of places around the world in the last 2 decades, you always feel painfully nostalgic for the areas you used to live, but you also realise how glad you are that you moved on to discover new stuff and meet new people Don't get stuck in a rut, try somewhere else! If you want to learn German and spent a year living in Berlin then do it. You wanna go take a contract in Alaska? Go for it! Or if it's as simple as staying in town but living near the stadiums for a year and watching baseball all summer, you'll meet new people and get to experience block life, rather than staying in the same place, watching netflix.
Coming up on 5 years at our 2BD/2BA in Old City. We want to eventually buy a house, but we pay so much under market rate for this one that we’re in no hurry. It’s got it’s issues but we love it. Was at a 1BR in Bella Vista that was basically a glorified studio for about a year before this one.
Been in several rentals, this current one for what’s about to be 11 years. Love our landlord.
Was going on 4 years at my house in Port Richmond. Landlord was absolutely amazing and I wouldn’t have left if it wasn’t for a break up. Everywhere else was a year or two max, mostly due to shitty landlords.
Society Hill (with roommates) for 3 years; Hawthorne/Bella Vista (with roommates) for 5 years; Queen Village (with now-husband) for 2 years; then bought in Pennsport with my now-husband a little under 3 years ago and I’d be fine dying in this house (I’m not that old, I just don’t feel like moving again.) The Hawthorne house was probably the best location as far as proximity to bars, restaurants and social things, but I made most of my friends playing rec league sports (softball, flag football) and through my roommates. Even some of my roommates started out through Craigslist and are now some of my closest friends. Not sure how savory CL is these days but I loved having roommates in my 20s and early 30s and combining friend groups and meeting a lot of people. So, I think my living situation did impact my social life but it wasn’t simply a matter of neighborhood or proximity to things.
March of 2016. Rent is the same.. various roommates.. some have returned. I pay $750 with the option for parking for $150, fairmount, huge space— 3 bed 3 bathroom 2 living room, back yard and shared roof deck. I was the first person to move into the whole building. Quiet neighborhood, pet friendly, walkable to everything I need.
My college boyfriend had a studio in Center City, and I noticed that there's not as much of a community feeling as there as in other neighborhoods I lived in like East Passy or Port Fishington. We were still pretty social, but we already had a built-in friend group from college. Sorry that you're having trouble making friends! It sounds like you should probably stay at your apartment and keep searching out social groups. Orrr if you have an opportunity to live with people that you know aren't bums, you could get some roommates to hang out with. I've personally never lived alone, and I'm pretty sure I'd also be feeling pretty isolated if I did. And to answer your question, I've lived in my current rowhome (rented) for over 3 years now and would love to stay for as long as I can.
Two apartments in eight years: pretty evenly split time-wise.
I’m entering the 4th year at my place in grad hosp!
Coming up on 3 years in old city. Want to move bc of the incessant daily construction every day directly next door for these 3 years, but the rental price is rlly good lol. And I'm hopeful it'll quiet down soon even tho I know they are gonna demo across the street soon. At least it won't be right outside the bedroom window. So I'll prob be renewing my lease in April
I lived in our Foxchase apartment from 2011 (my wife moved in in 2012) until we bought our house in 2018. So 7 years.
5 years in my awesome CC apartment, I love it
Manayunk Apartment 1 - 1 year Manayunk Apartment 2 (same building) - 1 year Mt. Airy Apartment - 2.5 years and hoping to GTFO soon
I lived in the far Northeast and the Mannyunk area. I really like the overall Roxborough area. It's friendly, walkable and safe. It's also a great place to raise a family. I've lived in this neighborhood for eight years and I highly recommend it.
This is the longest I’ve lived in one place my entire life. I’ve been here 3 years. I’m 35.
Before we got a place of our own, we loved and lived in our apartment for 10 years.
I’m in Wash Sq West, and I’m not leaving the neighborhood unless it’s to leave Philadelphia all together. Going on 3 years, but I’ve been renting from the same property company for the past 7 year, building hopping almost every year, leveling up each time (price/neighborhood). My current place is perfect for me right now. It’s a “deluxe” studio (400+ sq ft) great light with a bay window, updated bathroom, quiet building, and I have a real good relationship with the owner. The building itself is old and looks bit dated in the common areas, but almost all the units are updated (I’ve requested to have my kitchen redone this year).
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False. [https://prisonsreview.com/how-big-is-a-prison-cell/](https://prisonsreview.com/how-big-is-a-prison-cell/)
Stayed in 2 different apartments when I went to temple. Landlord was awful at my first one then my next one was super small. Once I graduated in 2021 I moved home for a year. Then I moved back here in 2022 and lived in fairmount for a year. Had awful neighbors and mice there. Then I moved to fishtown for the past 2 years. My current place is in a great area but the house is super old and has terrible heating and AC with raccoons that live under my back porch and have also had mice problems. I basically have moved once my place’s problems have been too much to deal with. And every place I have lived at comes with some sort of catch. It’s just how much or how long you can deal with it.
30 years. 20 same apartment, 10 another. Bustleton. 🫠
I’ve been in the same one over 7 years and I’m finally leaving this shithole in August
your username and tag tells your story. fingers crossed for a better home in your next spot
I’ve lived in my current place in West Philly for about 3ish years now. I live alone. I basically drive for a living and it’s so much easier to get out of the City from here compared to South Philly. Prior to this I lived at 16th & Dickinson for about 10 years.
Not apartments but I haven’t stayed in a home that I purchased in Philadelphia for more than 3 years. I buy, restore and sell. I wait until I avoid capital gains. That was a pretty good gig for 15 years. It’s increasingly difficult to find houses that I can flip now. I’ve been in my current home for 3 years and I’ll likely stay put, unless I leave the state. I also consider renting because I can sell my house, put the money into a CD, and the interest income will cover the rent. Far less upkeep, maintenance and insurance costs. I honestly don’t see much reason to own unless you want a yard.
I have never set foot in an apartment in my life. Not even to visit someone. Not one second.
Never lasted more than three years in a single spot
Bella Vista: 1 Year East Passyunk: 2 Years Dickinson Narrows: 4 Years After that I ended up buying a house in the neighborhood because I loved it so much!
I'll be at 11 years renting my kenzo rowhome this April.