7 Reasons to Move to Philadelphia in 2025

Philadelphia was recently named the sixth largest city in the US, coming in just behind a rapidly growing Phoenix. It’s a top-tier U.S. city known for its range of cultural, historical and recreational attractions - especially among East coast cities. 

Living in Philadelphia means having access to all the conveniences of a metropolitan city including public transportation, and all the charm of a small town.

Below are seven reasons why you should consider a move to Philadelphia:

Arts, Music, Culture

Philadelphia’s museums and cultural institutions are among the world’s finest. The Barnes Foundation is home to an impressive collection of impressionist, post-impressionist, and early modernist paintings. The Philadelphia Orchestra remains one of the premiere orchestras on the planet. The Philadelphia Museum of Art is itself a spectacular architectural work of art that houses an incredible collection of antiquities and pieces from all over the globe. 

That’s just the tip of the iceberg — the list goes on. Live music, theater, art, Jay-Z’s Made in America music festival, The Academy of Natural Sciences, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Sixth Sense, etc. — Philly has it all!

So, if you want to be close to must-visit cultural attractions, consider moving to Philly.

Dining and Drinks

The City of Brotherly Love boasts delectable culinary delights at all price points. Every city in America has a copycat take on Philly’s world-famous cheesesteaks, but come to John’s Roast Pork in South Philly or Dalessandro’s in Roxborough for the real deal! 

Not in the mood for a cheesesteak? Philadelphians love soft pretzels, too, and will often eat these tasty carb-bombs for breakfast. Think nothing will ever replace your morning bagel? Think again.

When it comes to international fare, the diversity of Philadelphia’s dinner options mirrors that of its denizens. Philly has a number of restaurants specializing in Vietnamese, Ethiopian, Indian, Indonesian, Mexican, Peruvian, Chinese, Japanese, Brazilian and countless other cuisines. There’s a wide range available for all tastes.

And finally, if you’re looking for a fine dining experience in Philadelphia, you won’t be disappointed with some of Philly's word class options. Time Magazine ranked Beddia Pizzeria one of the best places in the country, and Bon Appetit has heaped recent accolades on a few local restaurants as well, notably Suraya, Cadence and Wm. Mulherin’s Sons. 

Also, no mention of Philly’s food and drink scene is complete without a shout-out to Wawa and La Colombe!

Not only is the food scene top tier, but Philly is also home to countless breweries and distilleries offering liquid joy to quench your thirst. 

Dinner and a drink, anyone?

Housing — It’s Always More Affordable in Philadelphia

While housing prices have appreciated over the past 10 years, Philadelphia remains an attractive value proposition for homebuyers and renters focused on cost of living, particularly compared to neighbors to the south and north (DC and NYC, we’re looking at you). 

It’s no secret that your dollar goes further in Philadelphia than many other major cities on the East Coast.

Philadelphia is a large metropolitan area that far exceeds the more densely-populated urban core most often referred to as Center City. As a result, you’ll find a diverse range of housing styles available. 

From 50th floor luxury condos with spectacular views of the city’s skyline to single family stone mansions in Chestnut Hill or Overbrook, Philadelphia offers something for every preference. 

Best of all, almost any budget can be accommodated as the median sales price citywide is $250,000. Better move fast, though, as that’s a 9% jump over last year’s median price. The secret is out — Philly is gaining residents.

Parks, Mountains and Beaches

The Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s website sums it up best by saying that the city’s "large, diverse parks and recreation system provides something for everyone." There are over 300 neighborhood parks, 166 miles of trails, 40 historic sites, 60 community gardens, farms and orchards, courts and playgrounds... the list goes on and on. 

If you are itching to get out of the city, there is a diversity of topographies within a two or three hour radius of Philadelphia — from the gorgeous Pocono Mountains, to the beaches of neighboring New Jersey, and sprawling farmlands in Lancaster County to the west, moving to Philly will allow you to immerse yourself in nature.

Unparalleled US Historical Significance

Philly’s historical sites are legendary! In 2015, Philadelphia was named the nation’s first world heritage site! 

So many notable events happened here in Philadelphia: George Washington crossing the Delaware River, Ben Franklin’s kite experiment, Betsy Ross’s famous flag making, John Coltrane’s ascension to the pantheon of jazz... And, fictional or not, Rocky’s connection to the Museum of Art steps continues to inspire those seeking self-improvement and self-actualization in life!

As far as historical sites to visit, there are many to check off your list. Independence Hall (location of the signing of the Declaration of Independence), the Liberty Bell, and the Museum of the American Revolution are a few to check out. 

There’s also Elfreth’s Alley, which is America’s oldest residential street and full of Georgian and Federal-style charm. It could be fun for an afternoon visit to see how early Americans lived.

Higher Education in Philly

The greater Philadelphia area is home to dozens of institutions of higher learning. Some of the best and brightest minds in the world choose to continue their education in Philadelphia. 

With so many schools nearby, it’s likely that you or someone you know will end up in Southeastern Pennsylvania to study. These fine institutions include the likes of University of Pennsylvania (with its prestigious Wharton School of Business), Drexel University, Temple University, and nearby Villanova University.

Be warned, once you make the move to Philadelphia for higher education, you’ll probably end up falling in love with the location and staying after graduation.

Location, Location, Location

Philadelphia’s situation along the 95 Corridor in the Northeast of the United States is top tier!

Ninety-five miles to the north you’ll find New York City. To the south, 138 miles away is Washington D.C.. Baltimore is even closer, and Boston and Richmond are also within one day’s reach, especially if you take advantage of Amtrak’s high speed trains. And Pittsburgh is a short flight away or five-hour drive. 

If you’re looking to go farther afield for pleasure or work, flying into and out of the Philadelphia Airport is convenient. Not only is it close to Center City and easily accessible by Uber or train, but there are plenty of flight options available to take you almost anywhere you’ll need to go.

Making the Move to Philly

We’ve shared a number of benefits of living in the greater Philadelphia region, but ultimately, we know there are many factors that impact where a person will move. 

If you’re still in the consideration stage, definitely plan to visit the city and surrounding areas to get a sense for what you like and what you don’t. Browse local job boards to see how the market is in your industry and job function, and submit some applications if you’re serious about making the move. 

Once you secure a job, it might make sense for you to rent for a little while, especially if you’ll be applying for a mortgage, which will factor in your work history and length of employment. During this time, you can look at local real estate listings and figure out what type of neighborhood and home you’ll be searching for when you’re ready to buy.

Do you want to live in Philly?