What Are the Benefits of Living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?

Living in the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is a good decision for an individual or family to make because of the genuine modern benefits that are available. These are many, but they range form economic to social to educational, among others. A decision to live in the Historic City of Philadelphia will be one free of any serious mistake or disappointments.

Philadelphia is a diverse city in racial, economic and educational terms, with more than 5 million people. Some estimate the racially diverse population to be about 53% white, 40% black and the balance Asian and other. Some consider the real strength of the City of Philadelphia to be the diversity that exist. Over the last 18 years, the economic landscape of the City has been improving. There has been in excess of $8.6 billion dollars invested in Main Street districts. There have been 48,800 building renovations, 43,800 net new businesses and 161, 600 net new jobs. For every $1 used to operate a local Main Street program, it is estimated that $35 has been invested. See Preservation Alliance: The Economic Benefits of Preserving Philadelphia's Past at www.preservationalliance.com.

At the heart of Philadelphia is Center City. This is the commercial, cultural, and political core of the entire Philadelphia region. Center City provides about a third of the City's property tax revenues, 40% of the jobs, 72% of all the commercial office space and is the destination of 80% of Philadelphia visitors. Center City therefore defines the character and quality of Philadelphia to residents, visitors and the world at large. With this economic growth and consistent expansion, jobs are frequently available in Philadelphia.

Among the major United States (U.S.) metro markets, Greater Philadelphia offers companies the lowest rents with a reported median (or average) Class A rent of approximately $26 per square foot. The experts have stated that this makes Philadelphia a strong option for companies looking to expand or relocate in a major U.S. market. For assistance in business investment and development, Select Greater Philadelphia is a non-profit organization that specializes in streamlining corporate expansions and relocations. By maintaining relationships with economic developers, site selectors, governmental officials and local business leaders, Select Greater Philadelphia is uniquely positioned to assist with individuals and groups business relocation and expansion requirements. See Greater Philadelphia Offers the Lowest Office Space Rental Rates of U.S. Metro Markets at www.selectgreaterphiladelphia.com.

Philadelphia has a wide variety of restaurants, social clubs, historic buildings, parks, museums and other places for entertainment and family life. The parks are among the very best America, and the customer service extended to residents and visitors alike is unique and exceptional. See Greater Philadelphia at http://philadelphia.about.com. The ownership of homes and the renting of property for living are readily available. Depending on where someone decides to live, the cost of rent and home ownership will vary. But of interest is the friendly atmosphere that exist which makes negotiations very possible so someone or a family can achieve the desired place to live.

Transportation in Philadelphia is also of the highest quality. The waterways have always been important to Pennsylvania and Philadelphia. The Port of Philadelphia complex, encompassing Philadelphia proper and four other cities along the Delaware River, is reported to be the largest freshwater port in the world, and has the second largest volume of international tonnage in the United States. The constant expansion of passenger service has been the story of aviation in Pennsylvania from as far back as the 1940s. Today there are about sixteen major airports in Pennsylvania, five of which have been granted international status.

The Philadelphia International Airport is among the country's top twenty major aviation terminals, and compete favorably with others in total numbers of scheduled flights - www.legis.state.pa.us.
With the available rail transport from the South Eastern Pennsylvania Transport Authority (SEPTA) Philadelphia has an efficient rail transport system serving the Counties of Philadelphia, Delaware, Bucks, Montgomery and Chester in Pennsylvania. SEPTA constant service improvements have resulted in new lines and the elimination of obsolete and unnecessary lines. Faster travel is possible in Philadelphia. For those who prefer the taxi or bus transport, Septa also has a reliable bus system across the counties mentioned above. Taxi from the rail stations and the airport, for examples, are readily available in large numbers. On a whole, the services from taxi operators have received good reviews from residents and visitors alike.

In Philadelphia, there is a wide dimension of religious faith. Those who are like-mined are being informed that, Pennsylvania and Philadelphia in particular, has about a 64% population number who adheres to some recognized religious faith. The Roman Catholic Church is the largest. Lutherans and United Methodists are the two largest recognized Protestant denominations. Other denominations include the United Church of Christ, the Episcopal Church, American Baptists, Christian Scientists, Mormons, Seventh-Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Assembly of God, Nazarene Church, Evangelical Congregational, Church of God, and others. Freedom of religion, therefore, is abundant in Philadelphia. It is unlikely that other peaceful religions, not necessarily stated here, will be denied the right to practice their faith - Pennsylvania History at www.legis.state.pa.us.

The Philadelphia School District overseas the public school system. There are elementary, junior and high schools in Philadelphia. Recently, Philadelphia has been implemented the "Future High School" system in western Philadelphia. This is a unique school project and the first of its kind in the City, the students attend a newly constructed high tech facility. Classes are taught and conducted via lap-tops only and not the traditional teacher board. Each student receives a personal portable lab-top computer to carry-out daily assignments, and are even allowed to take these home, with the responsibility assigned to them to take care of the equipment. This high school project is being done in collaboration with the Gates Foundation officials who have supplied the knowledge, physical building and computer equipment for student and teachers or learners as they care called.

There are many international quality and recognized Universities in Philadelphia. The University of Pennsylvania in south-western Philadelphia is among the U.S. Ivy League Colleges. There are other college like Drexel, La Salle, Temple, among others. Tuitions are considered to be reasonable, and scholarships are available in sports, the arts and academic sphere. Healthcare provisions from the Universities and other providers are widely recognized by the U.S. and international medical experts to be of excellent quality. Pennsylvania Hospital, Jefferson and Temple have often received recognized wards for their excellence in the medical profession - See http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/about_uphs/commit.html and www.philadelphiamedicine.com.

Like any modern and developed city, crime exist in Philadelphia. But with a modern police and other law enforcement agencies, this problem has not stopped investors and new residents alike from migrating to Philadelphia for a better business and living environment. Crime is not being ignored in the City, but is considered a challenge and is being vigorously attended to in an effort to mitigate the impact on the City.

Therefore, there are real economic, social, educational and other benefits from living in Philadelphia. The economic developments and expansions in the City have continued to create jobs. Transportation is very good. The Cultural and Social benefits are historically good to both visitors and residents. And the educational and medical advantages are of the best qualities in America. The benefits of living in Philadelphia are greater than any minor disadvantage anyone may discover, and so makes the City an excellent place to live and do business.
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