Affordable Living
COST OF LIVING COMPARISON:
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| Philadelphia | Manhattan | |
| Movies | $9.40 | $11.60 |
| Beer | $7.19 | $10.29 |
| Bowling | $4.10 | $8.99 |
| Gas | $3.04 | $3.31 |
| Bread | $1.73 | $2.53 |
| Coffee | $4.06 | $4.45 |
| Dry Cleaning | $9.08 | $10.62 |
| Beauty Salon | $52.50 | $60.00 |
| Information provided by www.Bankrate.com "Cost of Living" calculator. |
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With a simple grid layout, the second-largest City on the East Coast is extremely walkable and easy to navigate. Public transportation is easy to use, too, thanks to SEPTA's subways, trolleys, and buses. And if you ever need a car, Philly Car Share has more than 15,000 cars available to borrow on an hourly basis in places all around the city, making it a service that is convenient, affordable, and eco-friendly.
For those who live outside Center City, there are SEPTA regional railroad trains making it easy to get downtown. And drivers need not worry - Philadelphia boasts the lowest annual average for hours stuck in traffic of all major U.S. cities (according to Infoplease.com), and downtown parking is plentiful.
Consuming culture can be done for a bargain, too, with minimal to no entry fee at most museums and historical attractions. Plus, with First Fridays - where art galleries in Old City stay open late each month - you can get your fill of new artists while snacking on free food and drinks. And of course, everyone loves the tax-free shopping on clothes and shoes!
Good eating is easy on the wallet. All year round, our multitude of BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) restaurants allows everyone to indulge in some of Philadelphia's best food while saving money on drinks. And after the plates are cleared, the nightlife is exciting and vibrant, with a plethora of bars and dance clubs in Center City and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Special deals are frequent, too! For dining, there are promotions like Center City Restaurant Week and University City's Dining Days - where selected establishments offer a special menu at a low, fixed price. For drinks, Center City Sips provides cheap happy hour all summer long at restaurants and bars across downtown.
No matter where you go, you are bound to discover new wallet-friendly experiences, unique cultures, and friendly people. With all this and so much more, what more can a young person want coming out of college?
