Relocation Guide · Blog
Read before you
pack the boxes
Straight answers to the questions relocating buyers ask most: what the move really costs, whether to choose the city or the suburbs, and what a smart Philly search looks like in practice. Written by the broker behind MoveUpPhilly, with no broker-speak.
By Craig Lerch · Broker at eXp Realty
2026-09-11 · 8 min read
Which School District Is a House In?
Pennsylvania has about 500 school districts, and the address, not the town or ZIP, sets yours. Pin the exact district for any Philadelphia-area home with official data.
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2026-07-30 · 6 min read
The Best Philadelphia Neighborhoods for Remote and Hybrid Workers
Remote workers get a rare deal in Philly: city value with home-office space. Compare Center City, Rittenhouse, Northern Liberties, Fishtown, and University City.
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2026-08-13 · 5 min read
The Relocation Buyer's Checklist for a Philly Search
A practical, step-by-step checklist for out-of-town buyers moving to Philadelphia: commute, pre-approval, block selection, rowhouse realities, and the local team you need.
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2026-08-27 · 7 min read
City or 'Burbs: How to Choose Where to Land in Greater Philadelphia
The biggest fork in any Philly relocation is the city line. Compare walkable neighborhoods, top districts like Lower Merion, commutes, and tax reality before you tour.
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2026-09-08 · 6 min read
What Moving to Philadelphia Really Costs in 2026
Philadelphia's median home price is about 30 to 35 percent below the national figure, and the whole metro is dramatically cheaper than New York or DC. Here is the relocation math in plain numbers.
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2026-09-09 · 7 min read
Can You Live in Philadelphia Without a Car?
SEPTA's base fare is $2.90, regional rail and PATCO extend the reach, anda car-free Philly life hinges on your block. How the transit math works in 2026.
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2026-09-14 · 8 min read
How Old Are Most Homes in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia's median home was built around 1949 and rowhouses dominate. What that means for cooling, basements, parking, and the offer you write.
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2026-09-16 · 7 min read
Do I Pay Philly's City Wage Tax If I Live in the Suburbs?
Live in the Philly suburbs, NJ, or DE and work in the city? You owe the non-resident wage tax: 3.425% in 2026. Here's how withholding and telework days work.
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2026-09-18 · 8 min read
Moving from Boston to Philadelphia: What's Actually Different?
Moving from Boston to Philadelphia: prices drop more than half while closing costs climb. How taxes, transit, and snow genuinely differ.
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2026-09-21 · 9 min read
Are Property Taxes Higher in New Jersey or Pennsylvania?
New Jersey's effective property tax rate is about 1.88 percent, the highest in the US; Pennsylvania's is about 1.26 percent. How to compare fairly.
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2026-09-23 · 9 min read
Is Parking in Philadelphia Really That Bad?
Philadelphia parking runs on rules: a $75 permit reserves nothing, street-cleaning windows cost $31, and Center City is metered. Verified September 2026.
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2026-09-25 · 9 min read
How Long Does It Take to Buy a House in Pennsylvania?
A Pennsylvania purchase runs about 30 to 45 days from signed offer to settlement, 37 on average. Steps, taxes, and buyer help, verified September 2026.
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2026-09-28 · 9 min read
Can You Choose Your School in Philadelphia?
Your address sets the catchment default, but School Selection and charter lotteries open other routes. Key 2027-28 dates, verified September 2026.
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2026-09-30 · 9 min read
Rowhome vs. Single-Family House in Philadelphia
Rowhomes are the Philadelphia norm: fee simple, no HOA, shared party walls. Compare them on price, yard, and parking. Verified September 2026.
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2026-10-02 · 8 min read
Moving from NYC to Philadelphia: What's Actually Different?
NYC to Philly: the price gap runs ~2.3x by median, and the wage tax, 4.578% transfer tax, and NY remote-work rules change the math. Verified Oct 2026.
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2026-10-05 · 8 min read
How Much Does It Cost to Heat a House in Philadelphia?
The typical Philadelphia gas bill averages about $99 a month; winter runs $150 to $220 for row homes. City, suburbs, NJ, DE, verified October 2026.
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2026-10-07 · 8 min read
Moving from Texas to Philadelphia: What's Different?
Texas to Philly: 3.07% state income tax plus the 3.735% wage tax, 1.40% vs 0.83% property rates, no central air in row homes, snow. Verified October 2026.
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2026-10-09 · 8 min read
Which Philadelphia Suburbs Have Trains to Center City?
Which Philly suburbs have train access to Center City: SEPTA rail lines, zone fares, station towns, and how to verify a commute. Verified Oct 2026.
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2026-10-12 · 8 min read
Is SEPTA as Good as the DC Metro?
SEPTA vs the DC Metro: flat fares with free transfers, 13 Regional Rail lines that run weekends, and the budget reality. Verified Oct 2026.
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2026-10-14 · 8 min read
Can I Buy a House in Philadelphia Without Visiting?
Yes, you can close on a Philadelphia home without visiting. Remote notarization, power of attorney, and remote-buyer safeguards. Verified Oct 2026.
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2026-10-16 · 8 min read
Are Philadelphia Schools Really That Bad?
What the "bad schools" talk is built on: PSSA scores, 1-10 rating math, PA's no-letter-grade index, and how to check one building. Verified Oct 2026.
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2026-10-19 · 8 min read
Philadelphia Row Houses vs. Boston Triple-Deckers
Philadelphia's brick row houses versus Boston's wood triple-deckers: sizes, land ownership, party walls, basements, and the price gap. Verified Oct 2026.
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2026-10-21 · 8 min read
How Much Is Car Insurance in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia full-coverage car insurance averages about $3,061 a year, 31% above the state. ZIP territory and the tort choice, verified Oct 2026.
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How Long Is the Commute from Philadelphia to New York City?
Amtrak runs Philadelphia to New York in about 1h 25m, but door-to-door is 2 to 2.5 hours. Real fares, passes, and monthly cost, verified October 2026.
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2026-10-26 · 8 min read
Transferring an IEP to a New Philadelphia School District
Services follow the child: comparable special-ed from day one, a 30-day IEP meeting, and the 10-school-day rule. How IEP transfers work on a Philly move.
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2026-10-26 · 8 min read
Moving from London to Philadelphia: What's Different?
London housing runs about 2.5x Philly's prices, summers run 13°F hotter, and healthcare rides on your employer. What a UK move actually changes.
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2026-10-28 · 8 min read
How School District Transfers Work When You Move to Pennsylvania
Your new address sets your child's district of residence. The Pennsylvania rules: the 5-business-day enrollment clock, records transfer, and documents to pack.
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2026-10-28 · 7 min read
Is It Cheaper to Live in Philadelphia or the Suburbs?
Philadelphia flips the pattern: the city costs less than its suburbs. Median sale prices and property tax rates for all five, plus the wage tax catch.
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