I need to know where to go around Philadelphia.

New York or Philadelphia?: Moving to the US next year and can't decide where to go?

• Hi Guys, I hope you can help me out on this one. My husband and I are moving to the US next year June 2010 from Europe. We are a relatively young couple with no kids. My husband is a computer programmer and I have a Masters in marketing. We are trying to decide where to go. We will have no friends (planning to sublet in the beginning), no car and no US credit history. At the moment we are thinking about somewhere up north, with public transportation with some job opportunities—we’ll take whatever we can get in this recession. My first idea was NY because of the public transportation, but it appears that there are 19 people per job offer and looking at craigslist I don’t see a lot of offers. Then there is the high cost of living, am so afraid to run out of cash before finding a job!!! I did some research and Philadelphia is supposed to have cheaper rents. Does anyone know what it is like living/working there? Do u recommend it more than NY during this recession for our backgrounds? I guess I just need ur on the ground experience—don’t hold back tell it as it is, I would really appreciate ur response. By the way, if u have any questions about Europe happy to be at ur disposal. No worries!

• Answer:

  Right now there aren't a lot of job opportunities anywhere in the US. Your husband might look in the "202 Corridor" area outside of Philadelphia. There are a number of tech companies there and if you lived out that way, it would be less expensive. I am talking about the area around Malvern. The town of West Chester is cute and has young couples. NYC is a very expensive place to live and any place within an hour's commute also is expensive. I'm not so sure that many tech companies are located there since they don't have to be in Manhattan for business reasons. Also consider New Jersey, between Phila and NYC. Philadelphia is fairly safe. Most of the crime happens in neighborhoods where you won't be living anyway. Philadelphia is a nice place for young couples. Lots to do and you will find many other educated people here, as you would in NYC. A lot of people in NYC are in the financial industry. Philadelphians are friendlier than New Yorkers, for sure. Philadelphia has a good public transit system and if you live in center city you can walk most places. It is more liveable than NYC because it is smaller. If you are very very sophisticated and trendy you might prefer NYC, although you probably can't afford it. Also look into the job situation in Washington DC. The government might be hiring. It's a nice city (again, avoid the creepy neighborhoods), and costs less than NYC to live, but a little more than Philadelphia. I think I'd try to find a job wherever you can and then move there. Good luck.