📍 About PHL & Philadelphia
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is a major East Coast hub offering a fast-paced, dynamic ATC environment. Located just minutes from downtown, Philadelphia offers historic charm, modern conveniences, and a wide variety of neighborhoods for every lifestyle.
🏡 Where to Live
Best for Singles & Young Couples
- Center City – Walkable urban core, restaurants, nightlife
- Fishtown – Trendy, artistic, food scene
- University City – Youthful, near Drexel & UPenn
Best for Families
- Havertown – Excellent schools, suburban feel, close commute
- Media – Safe, walkable town square, family friendly
- Swarthmore – College town with great schools and green spaces
- Cherry Hill (NJ) – Larger homes, shopping, top schools (note: NJ state tax)
🚗 Commute Times to PHL
- 5–15 min: South Philly, Southwest, Tinicum Township
- 15–30 min: Havertown, Media, Upper Darby, University City
- 30–45 min: Cherry Hill, Swarthmore, Fishtown, Center City
🎓 Top School Districts
- Haverford Township SD – Highly rated public schools in Havertown
- Radnor Township SD – Consistently top-ranked
- Wallingford-Swarthmore SD – Great academics & community support
- Cherry Hill Public Schools (NJ) – One of NJ’s top suburban districts
🧳 Things to Do – Within 2 Hours, Year-Round
🏙️ City & Culture
- Historical Sites: Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Museum of the American Revolution
- Art & Science: Philadelphia Museum of Art, Franklin Institute, Barnes Foundation
- Sports: Eagles, Phillies, Sixers, Flyers — all within the stadium district
🌿 Outdoors
- Fairmount Park: Trails, picnic spots, Philly Zoo
- Valley Forge Park: History & hiking (30–40 min)
- Jersey Shore: Beaches like Ocean City & Wildwood (1.5–2 hrs)
✈️ Nearby Airports
- PHL: On-site — major hub for American Airlines and international routes
- TTN – Trenton-Mercer: Budget airline options ~1 hr
- ACY – Atlantic City: Spirit Airlines hub ~1.5 hrs
🧭 Helpful Resources for Newcomers
🛡️ Crime & Safety + Town Websites
- Safe Suburbs: Havertown, Media, Swarthmore, Cherry Hill
- Urban Safety: Stick to well-lit, active areas in Center City and Fishtown
🔗 Town Websites
💰 Cost of Living
- Philadelphia: Median rent for 1BR ~$1,700/mo; homes ~$280k–$400k depending on area
- Suburbs: Havertown, Media, Cherry Hill homes range $350k–$550k
- Groceries: Near national average – Aldi, Giant, Trader Joe’s, Acme
- Gas: ~$3.60/gal in PA; ~$3.30/gal in NJ
- Taxes: PA has a flat 3.07% income tax; NJ slightly higher
🌆 Neighborhood Highlights
- Fishtown: Trendy, growing, hip crowd
- Center City: Walkable, exciting, museum district
- Havertown: Quiet, clean, suburban
- Media: “Everybody’s Hometown” – charming, family-friendly
☀️ Seasonal Weather
- Winter: Cold, occasional snow
- Spring: Mild, blooming trees & flowers
- Summer: Hot & humid — highs in the 90s
- Fall: Crisp, colorful foliage
🚇 Public Transportation & Traffic
- SEPTA: Buses, regional rail, subways throughout city and suburbs
- Amtrak: 30th Street Station — Northeast Corridor access
- Driving: I-95, Schuylkill Expressway (expect congestion at rush hour)
🏥 Healthcare & Urgent Care
- Penn Medicine & Jefferson Health: World-class hospitals in Center City
- CHOP: Renowned children’s hospital
- Suburban Options: Main Line Health, Lankenau, Crozer Health
- Urgent Care: Tower Health, CVS MinuteClinic, MedExpress
🫂 Social Life & Community
- Young Adults: Rooftop bars, breweries, concerts, art shows
- Families: Parks, zoo, playgrounds, local rec leagues
- Community: Farmer’s markets, neighborhood block events, library programs
🍽️ Dining & Food Scene
- Signature Eats: Cheesesteaks (Jim’s, Dalessandro’s), roast pork sandwiches
- Dining Districts: Rittenhouse, Fishtown, East Passyunk
- Suburban Gems: Media has a walkable dining scene with cafes and bistros
🛫 ATC-Specific Tips
- PHL is busy — expect heavy traffic, lots of IFR, and delays during peak hours
- Shifts: Rotate with early/swing/mid — rush hour and weather can impact commutes
- Living close helps — many controllers live in Media, Havertown, or South Philly
📦 Moving Tips
- Snow prep: Snow tires or AWD helpful for winter
- Parking: Ask about street permits if living in the city
- Best time to move: Late spring or early fall for apartment availability
❓ FAQs
- Is Philly safe?
Depends on neighborhood — check crime maps, stay central or go suburban - Can I live in NJ and work at PHL?
Yes — many do! But you’ll pay NJ income tax - Is public transit reliable?
SEPTA is decent, but many prefer to drive