Where I choose to stay

I relocated to Philadelphia from the Midwest. I relied on fellow corps members who were moving into the city from the suburbs to find a place for us to live. I had no idea which neighborhoods were which, or what was a reasonable rent. I wound up staying in University City down at 46th and Chester. It was a great location, but my rent was way, way higher than it should have been for the quality of the building and the responsiveness/helpfulness of the landlord.
This year I moved further north and west, at roughly 50th and Spruce. I dig my neighborhood, but will likely move further south again if I stay in Philadelphia.

To compare the two areas:
• They both have parks. Clark Park is more hopping than Barkan Park, though. Point: University City
• Grocery: There are Fresh Grocers at 56th and Spruce, 54th and Chester, and 40th and Walnut. There’s a Shop’N’Bag at 43rd and Walnut. My recommendation is the Shop’N’Bag or the 40th and Walnut Fresh Grocer. The selection at 40th and Walnut is better than at 54th and Chester, and I’ve had trouble with expired food at the 54th and Chester Fresh Grocer. This location is also between my service site and my home, so it's easy to stop by on my way home. The Shop’N’Bag has pretty good produce. All are easily accessible via public transportation or walking from where I stayed last year as well as this year. My preferred store is easier to get to this year, though, so Point: West Philadelphia
• Laundry: The place I stayed last year had laundry machines in the basement, but sometimes it was faster or I wanted to be in an air conditioned place and went to the Ultra Clean Laundromat at 47th and Baltimore. Now I go to the Laundromat at 49th and Spruce. The one I go to now offers one more minute per quarter for dryer time, so Point: West Philadelphia.
• Public Transportation: Last year, I could take any one of 4 trolleys to get home. If I didn’t catch the 13, which rolls right down Chester, I could take the 34 and walk two blocks south from Baltimore. Or I could take the 11 or the 36 and walk two blocks north from Woodland. I got spoiled on it, because I could be to the office in 30 minutes. This year, I have the 42 or the 21 bus. If I take the 21, I just have to walk a block to catch it or to get home from it. The bus is much slower than the trolleys, and I miss having so many options to get to and from work and play. Point: University City
• Night life: I usually wind up going to Center City or South Street to hang out in the evening, getting food or drink. Yet there are a number of pretty good spots along Baltimore Avenue. Dahlak (www.dahlakrestaurant.com) is an Eritrean bar and restaurant at 47th and Baltimore that made me like beets. I hated beets, or so I thought, until I tried Dahlak. That’s how good this place is. At 50th and Baltimore, there’s a brewery/pizza place called Dock Street (www.dockstreetbeer.com), which is delicious, but the service is terrible. Whether it’s crowded or busy, it’s always slow. Point: Toss Up.

Megan, 24, recruitment senior corps member