Move to Philadelphia

New to Philadelphia? You may not know JG Real Estate yet — but local readers do. JG Real Estate was voted Gold Winner for Best Real Estate Company in The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Philly Favorites program chosen by it’s readers. Read the full announcement here.

Thinking About Moving to Philadelphia? Start Here.

More and more people are moving to Philadelphia for it’s walkable neighborhoods, wide range of housing styles, world-class dining, cultural amenities, transit options, and better value than other major East Coast cities like New York and Washington, D.C. I help people relocating to Philadelphia understand the buying process, neighborhood characteristics, neighborhood proximity to Center City, local taxes, school comparisons, and more before they make big decisions.

Cost of Living: Philadelphia Compared to Other Cities

Philadelphia offers significantly lower housing costs than NYC and DC, while still providing world-class dining, amenities and culture.

Choosing the Right Neighborhood

Philadelphia is a city of neighborhoods, each offering a different mix of housing styles, walkability, school boundaries, transit access, and overall environment. Selecting the right neighborhood is one of the most important parts of relocating.

If you’re relocating to Philadelphia, my Philadelphia Neighborhoods Guide is designed to help you get oriented and compare your options. Explore neighborhood guides, see where neighborhoods are located on the interactive map, review school catchment resources, and learn more about housing, transportation, amenities, and everyday life in different parts of Philadelphia.

Not sure which neighborhoods to explore first? Answer a few simple questions in the Find My Philadelphia Neighborhood™ quiz to help narrow the possibilities based on what matters most to you.

What Clients Say About Working With Me

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Dana S 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
First time home buyer and was very pleased working with Jim!  Super knowledgable and connected in the area.  Offered explanations and insights during the process with no judgement or pressure.  Overall a smooth and stress-free process :)
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Scott Fulford 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Not only did Jim help us buy a house, but he also helped us transition from another state to life in Philadelphia. His knowledge of the city and his helpful recommendations on everything from restaurants to contractors to dog walkers continue to make a difference as we settle into our new home.
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Barbara Feuerstein 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Jim is amazing! He went above and beyond our expectations ! Extraordinary agent in every possible way ! Super grateful to Jim for his patience, experience, energy and great personality ! Call Jim today !
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Bruce Coleman 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
We want to highly recommend Jim for your real estate needs in Greater Philadelphia. My wife and I decided about 9 months ago that we wanted to consider a move from the West Coast to Philadelphia and look at buying a home in the city.  We contacted Jim back then and arranged to meet with him during our preliminary visit to Philadelphia.  We then worked with him after that visit and looked at various properties and neighborhoods virtually with him. We were so glad we did this since it helped us get an early foundation on areas of the city which are so different from California and Oregon. When we made the move in October 2024, our first day here started with a meeting and visits to many properties. We found that Jim is very diligent, extremely competent and that he stays very, very focused on providing great client services.  He helped us through the entire process of learning about the market and with every aspect of the real estate transaction. He was also very supportive of the process of moving escrow along in a very timely manner and helped us to meet and even exceed our schedule. Jim went well beyond the call of duty and was always available to us day or night.  We weren't sure when Jim actually slept  :) One example of his exceptional client service was his help with the Philadelphia homestead property tax exemption process.  After we closed escrow and just prior to the application deadline, we realized that we were missing one document. We called Jim while we parked on the street near Center City.  He stopped what he was doing and drove up to our car and hand delivered the missing document we needed.  That allowed us to file on time and get approved! After we closed escrow, Jim continues to reach out to us to see if we need any help or have any questions. Jim is an expert on the Philadelphia market and shows his knowledge and love for this city.  Jim has a great sense of humor which made the buying process even easier. In conclusion, we are very thankful that we found Jim and were able to work with him.
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Talal Akhter 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Jim is an excellent realtor. He helped me sell my condo quickly without me having to travel to Philadelphia to oversee anything. Working with him made the process easy. Would highly recommend Jim
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 joseph adelufosi 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Jim is an amazing, diligent, hard working realtor. He was super helpful throughout the whole process of purchasing a condo in Philadelphia. We communicated for over a year constantly sending places back and forth before landing on a great location in Center City. Also was super helpful in providing me with a lending agent!!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Joseph Beeman 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I sold a house with Jim in the spring of 2024, and I can’t imagine going through this experience with anyone else. Of all the people I had to communicate with during this process, Jim stood out as the most knowledgeable, competent and trustworthy. I would recommend him to anyone without a moment’s hesitation. He’s personable, experienced, very responsive and will have your back from start to finish. As long as I live in the area, Jim will be the only realtor I choose!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Christopher Adkins 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Absolutely fantastic experience with Jim Armstrong in the sale of our longtime rental property in Philadelphia.  We sold it from across the country and Jim handled everything for us.  This was critical to accomplishing pre-sale repairs.  He was the consummate professional; he always had well thought-out solutions when inevitable problems occurred throughout the process.  We really trusted his judgment and expertise.  I would not think twice about using Jim as a realtor again and you should not too!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Ross Berman 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Jim helped my wife and I purchase our first home. As first time buyers, we had a lot of questions and Jim was very patient and explained everything we needed to know. His standout quality is his knowledge of the area, and he helped us find a home in an area we didn’t even know to look. Throughout the whole process he was very actively involved and responsive which made the process so simple for us. Would definitely recommend him to anyone looking to purchase a home in Philadelphia!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Lauren Nalley 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
From the start of the process, Jim was a highly knowledgeable resource for us as first time homebuyers. He is super familiar with Philly neighborhoods and helped us understand the cost and scale of various home repairs. We would recommend him to anyone and continue to work with Jim in the future
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
    
 
 

Additional Questions about Moving to Philadelphia

Is Philadelphia a good city to move to?

Philadelphia can be a good fit for people looking for walkable neighborhoods, varied housing options, extensive public transportation, and convenient access to other major East Coast cities. The city offers everything from dense Center City neighborhoods to quieter residential areas, with housing options at a range of price points. The right fit depends on your budget, commute, housing needs, and the type of neighborhood experience you’re looking for.

What are the best neighborhoods for people relocating to Philly?

The best Philadelphia neighborhood for you depends on your budget, housing preferences, commute, transportation needs, and the amenities you want nearby. Philadelphia’s neighborhoods vary considerably in housing types, walkability, transit access, restaurants, shopping, green space, and overall setting. My Philadelphia Neighborhoods Guide lets you compare areas, explore individual neighborhood guides, use the interactive neighborhood map, and access additional resources to help narrow your search.

How do I choose the right Philadelphia neighborhood?

Start with the factors that will have the greatest impact on your everyday life, including housing budget, commute, walkability, public transportation, parking, housing style, and access to restaurants, shopping, and green space. Once you’ve identified your priorities, comparing a smaller group of neighborhoods becomes much easier. If you’re not sure where to begin, Find My Philadelphia Neighborhood™ can help narrow the possibilities based on what matters most to you.

Can I buy a home in Philadelphia without being there in person?

Yes. It is possible to buy a home in Philadelphia while relocating from another city or state, and much of the process can be handled remotely. Virtual showings can provide a closer look at properties, while inspections, document signing, and many other parts of the transaction can also be coordinated from a distance. I help relocating buyers understand both the properties they’re considering and their Philadelphia location so they can make informed decisions even when they can’t be here for every step.

What should I know before moving to Philadelphia?

Before moving to Philadelphia, it helps to understand how neighborhood location, transportation, parking, housing type, property taxes, and commute times can affect both your home search and everyday life. Philadelphia can change significantly from one neighborhood to another, so getting familiar with the city before focusing on individual properties can make the search much more efficient. For buyers relocating from outside the area, I recommend narrowing down neighborhoods first and then beginning the home search.

How far in advance should I start planning a move to Philadelphia?

If you’re planning to buy, beginning your Philadelphia relocation research a few months before you expect to move gives you time to understand neighborhoods, establish a budget, arrange financing, and learn what is available in your target areas. You don’t necessarily need to be ready to purchase when you start the process. Early planning is especially useful when you’re relocating from another city and aren’t yet familiar with Philadelphia’s neighborhoods or housing market.

Planning a Move to Philadelphia?

Whether you’re just starting to explore Philadelphia or already preparing for a move, I can help you understand the neighborhoods, housing market, and home-buying process before you make any decisions.

If you’re relocating from outside the area, we can talk through what you’re looking for, narrow down the parts of Philadelphia worth exploring, and create a plan for your home search — even if your move is still months away.