What's a $1350 Apartment like in Center City Philly? Alan's Apartment Tour

Other details:
There's a bike room, mailboxes, two elevators and a front desk that has a person at it between 7am and 4pm. Chinatown is a great neighborhood but the tourists there make it annoying.
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[@alanthefisher]

The NJT Pride Flag was custom made. But I might put them on my store if theres an interest haha

[@railfan2354]

Yes please

[@bukowski9526]

I thought that was the Armenian flag at first

[@grahamturner2640]

Definitely interesting.

[@tb112]

Do it

[@Robloxity_News]

Dew it

[@northofnorth]

i was not aware they made NJ Transit flags and now i absolutely need one immediately

[@alanfisherextras]

Oh this was a custom made one, but maybe I'll make a few more in the future for my store haha

[@cunningham-code]

I second this!

[@TheRuralUrbanist]

Having just moved apartments here in Germany... I think that's a pretty great value per $, I'm paying like 1100€ for a super tiny place outside of the city but close to work... Also, hope the move wasn't too stressful 😅

[@kevley26]

wow is that munich?

[@toniderdon]

You are getting ripped off unless that is Munich and a 3 bedroom apartment/house. For a 1 bedroom apartment in Munich (not outside of the city) you should pay like 800€ MAX.

[@nader50752]

How the hell do you pay that unless you're in central München, Berlin, or Hamburg, lol.

[@toniderdon]

@@nader50752 Berlin isn't even expensive. Frankfurt, Munich and Hamburg are crazy tho

[@nader50752]

@@toniderdon well, I was thinking someone who lives alone outside the Ringbahn, thats a relatively normal price. Inside, alone? For that price, dream on

[@CortezEspartaco2]

I'm looking at moving to South Philly soon and seeing this apartment for so (relatively) cheap affirms it even more. It's such a good value for being decently walkable, having decent transit, and being on the NE corridor. I say decent having lived in Spain before, but by NA standards it's excellent. Checks all the boxes for me AND it's affordable. I'm almost scared to say this stuff out loud lest it be ruined lol.

[@tealmer3528]

south Philly is even cheaper! try to live walking distance to the subway and to a grocery store - those two are super important for living there and living far from either (particularly the subway) becomes a pain quickly. Also check that your unit has the electrical supply for an air conditioner - not all apartments do.

[@CortezEspartaco2]

@@tealmer3528 Thanks for the tips, I didn't know some places lacked AC or even the ability to install AC so I'll keep it in mind. I'm also used to 220v in Spain, running basically any AC unit through a regular outlet. Integrated central AC is much more common in the U.S. though, maybe in part because of this and also just poor insulation necessitating constant AC in the summer.

[@himbourbanist]

Was literally looking at Google Earth yesterday and noticed this building and remarked how cool looking it is. Sweet place and awesome location

[@cm01]

to think less than ten years ago you could get a 6 bedroom house for $1350 a month in most of the country

[@runnerup15]

reading these comments makes me feel like in going insane; 1350/mo is absolutely the normal rate for anywhere on the east coast. Even NH is $1200-1300 for a 1br and 1400-1800 for a 2 br in manchester, nashua, portsmouth, and concord

[@jonahs4819]

It’s absolutely not the norm for a primary city in a major metropolitan area. Manchester NH is basically just an outer-suburb within the Boston metro area and doesn’t have nearly the population or amenities/services of a true major city. That’s like bringing up the rent in Reading, PA in a conversation about Boston lol Also, in Boston (the only valid comparable city in terms of size in New England) the average rent is $3,800 which is well over double the average in Philly While the towns you listed are lovely, you can’t compare small cities or tiny towns to real big cities. Philly is definitely an anomaly on the east coast being the only large core city with low-ish/affordable rent.

[@runnerup15]

@@jonahs4819 oh i think we are in agreement, people in the comments back when i wrote this comment were saying that was too expensive and that no one would pay that much lol

[@jonahs4819]

@@runnerup15 my bad dude lol I guess I misunderstood the context of your comment then

[@IGuessIDoThings]

1:27 when I saw that at first I couldn’t tell what it was because at first I thought it was Armenia or Germany and I just thought the room lighting made it look weird

[@blujitsu2180]

One of my favorite buildings in Chinatown - I love those ladder rungs on the front facade. I’ve always wondered what they would be used for.

[@wceyuki]

this is a very interesting video to me as i know i'll probably never be able to afford an apartment that expensive ever

[@alanfisherextras]

You can easily find 1 bedroom apartments in Philly for $700, but you have to go further away from center city. Also obviously if you get a roommate or two you can easily bring down the cost to $400-500 a person.

[@cameron_o]

You can find apartments in west philly for less than a 1000 if you go for a studio or share with two or three people

[@renaes2807]

It's interesting to see how this is considered cheap/expensive based on a viewer's location. I'm in the LA area and would have been an absolute steal.

[@compdude100]

@@alanfisherextras Holy crap, that's crazy how cheap apartments are in Philadelphia. I'm paying around $1500 for my apartment in the suburbs north of Seattle.

[@nonewherelistens1906]

@@compdude100 Philadelphia may be the most affordable east coast city. And it has a lot to offer.

[@TheRandCrews]

Not gonna lie really looks cozy

[@comrade1158]

Man really wants Philly’s rents to skyrocket

[@alanfisherextras]

Thankfully all of the conservatives that keep yelling about how dangerous the city is keep rent low 🤙🤙 Also Philly is building a fuckton of housing, but thats a topic for a different video...

[@woorugger88]

​@@alanfisherextras how is a place that requires 50k+ income affordable? Especially considering the average income of Philadelphia? I've looked at moving there from Columbus at the suggestion of friends and all I see is places where I'd be living in some $50 a month illegal apartment.

[@alanthefisher]

@@woorugger88 there are plenty of places in philly where you can find a studio for $600-700ish, but if you find a roommate(s) you can easily get rent down to $400-500ish a person. Its just I chose a place in center city where I don't need a car so it was slightly more.

[@woorugger88]

@@alanthefisher *edited for brevity* 600-700 going to 1350 isn't slightly more. it's substantially more so maybe I am missing something there. I've seen those studios in philly and that means giving up all side hustles and hobbies I have, unless I want the space then it would mean giving up my car (not something i am opposed to mind you) plus still needing to make 20-30% more than I do now. I fail to see how this is possible for a single income person, at my current rate, I can only afford living in dog water nicetown-tioga and that would still require me having a car. Phily isn't affordable for the normal working class, single people and I wish those of you with rose tinted glasses would quit painting it as such as I keep trying to see how it is tenable and it *just isn't* and is frustrating. I'm at a point in life that a roommate is not really possible or appealing. I've spent the last couple of years looking at philly because some good friends are convinced I would love it, but the more I look, the less I see why. I would want to be there for certain things. and while I might want to be there for some things, it's clear the areas you highlight, don't want me and any place that would have me, i don't get the appealing benefits. I do like your content so I don't want to come across as ungrateful, but it feels like you are a bit detached when it comes to what is "reasonable". I don't see how someone in my situation would ever afford living in that city. and my situation isn't uncommon.

[@RyanKungdaanswer]

Hi there where in chinatown is this. How many sq ft?

[@PhilipSalen]

Beautiful apartment, I hope that the next one is even nicer. However, tell us what us transit nerds want to know. Where do you park your fleet of bicycles for your transit around center city in your apartment? Where is the nearest mass transit stop to your apartment? Or if there are multiple transit options , which is the favorite near your apartment?

[@alanthefisher]

There's a bike and package room that's locked with a key fob off of the lobby on the first floor. And the closest transit station is the Regional Rail Jefferson station, otherwise 11th street is the closest subway stop. I use(d) Jefferson alot to go visit friends in the burbs or to go to the model railroad club haha

[@baronjutter]

Such incredibly tall ceiling! Love it.

[@cameron_o]

MTV welcome to my crib vibes, love this

[@dswp7155]

Love your videos!

[@nickjackson2701]

Wow this is crazy, I walk by there every day! I’ve always liked the statues in front and the bakery next door. Great apartment!

[@Yataka]

5:40 carpet can help a hell lot with the echo, lower gain but closer the mic too can help.

[@NicholasRizzio]

Hey Alan! I was on your stream the other day that was looking at Philly and Pittsburgh on Zillow. It would be cool if you made a video about how housing policies should be reformed hand-in-hand with transit in mind. You mentioned earlier wanting to make a video about the Philly housing boom and I think that would be a great topic. Keep up the great vids!

[@thefareplayer2254]

1:57 Nonagon Infinity!!! Spectacular taste, sir!

[@alexyukon0823]

Paying the same in Long Beach, CA and fuck do I wish I had some of the amenities and space you had

[@snaffu1]

Genuinely a cozy apartment despite the quirks you pointed out. Thanks for the tour!

[@Sebman1113]

Much can be done with pasta, great meal variety, never hurts to have a salad on the side. Great for a meal.

[@lozoft9]

I wonder why most apts in Philly have in unit laundry. Even in my 3rd floor walk up built over 100 years ago in Brewerytown has it, but even nice apts in NYC don’t.

[@stevengonzalez7373]

Thanks a lot for this video. I'm moving to Philly soon and deciding whether to keep my car and move a bit far from Center City (will be working there) or to sell my car and move a few blocks from work

[@yvonneplant9434]

I lived just north of Center City in Spring Garden. I ended up ditching my car. It basically stayed in a garage most of the time.

[@AutismTakesOn]

How do you plan to move to New York? I agree with your content, but, like ya said, US transit is... Not good, so I imagine you need a car, reluctantly, as I don't think trains will be frequent enough, unfortunately. (I just got my driver's license, and I KINDA like driving, but, it's not my favorite thing. I'd much prefer public transit, honestly)

[@alanfisherextras]

I don't have a car in the city, I completely rely on biking, walking and riding transit. And even if septa gets alot of shit (and rightfully so) its still very good (by US standards).

[@AutismTakesOn]

​@@alanfisherextras I see. Also, why do you say electrics have twice as much tractive effort as diesels, when that's not the case? While I DO agree, 100%, that US railroads should electrify, the statement that electrics have over double the tractive effort of diesels is false, although they DO have slightly more tractive effort than diesels do. Electrics DO have twice the HORSEPOWER of diesels, though. (And more tractive effort, too. Just not TWICE the tractive effort) The electrics you claimed to have more tractive effort than diesels were multi-section locomotives. The GM6C and SD40-2 comparison is a good basis for the argument, as both are built on the same frame. The SD40-2 has 115,000 lbf starting tractive effort and 3,000 horsepower, weighing 368,00 pounds, with the GM6C having 126,000 pounds of tractive effort, twice as much horsepower than its diesel basis at 6,000, and weighing slightly less at 365,000 pounds. Though the horsepower advantage COULD be even greater, as the GM10B had 10,000 horsepower, based on an SD45 frame, the diesel basis only being able to muster 3,600 horsepower, with the GM10B having 114,000 lbf starting tractive effort, with 99,000 lbf continuous at 10 mph and 82,000 lbf at 37 mph, the SD45 having 92,000 lbf starting tractive effort (7,000 lbf less than the GM10B's 10 mph continuous lbf at 10 mph) and 82,100 lbf at 11 mph (only 100 lbf more than the GM10B's tractive effort... at 37 mph...) Data from Wikipedia

[@BrennanZeigler]

I love your King Gizzard record!!!

[@piemadd]

I noticed what appears to be a TV antenna, do you have a setup to record programming or is it more of a "yeah lemme turn on the local news for some ambiance" kinda deal?

[@kitchin2]

Channels tripled with digital 20 years ago, but it does not perform as well at a long distance. No static, just a blue screen. People started buying roof antennas, which you can put in the attic or your room if the roof is not available. More people could know and cut cable, which got much more expensive from them to now. But also many people have a combined cable/internet package deal.

[@thermodynamical5635]

hi Alan hope the new apartment is pretty sweet

[@Marconius6]

As someone living in a $1350 apartment in Tokyo, I am extremely jealous. Wait, did you say relatively LOW rent?!

[@drchickensalad]

This would be a good deal at 2500 in prime NYC

[@Furstcreation]

"Center City Phillydelphia"

[@orionreynolds6648]

Wait this price is amazing. In Downtown Seattle the median rent is over $2400 @.@

[@Droxal]

Philly actually has rental prices that make sense. Seattle on the other hand ...

[@rugbybeef]

Blame RealPage for Seattle rents... For some reason RealPage hates Philly and hasn't done the same collusion to oblivion thing on our rent

[@Stjaernljus]

nice workbench

[@ryanevans2655]

Dang, Philly is undervalued. My pre-2020 1 bedroom apartment on the very edge of Dtown Fort Worth, TX, was that same price AND too far from the center of downtown to walk to anything actually cool in under ~25 minutes. Same apartment is surely quite a bit more in 2023

[@kevinw4267]

Are you running for septa board next time? And when?

[@dimitrilensflareabrams2893]

Hiya Alan. I was curious as to what you do for a living. I'm interested in moving into a city like Philly (or hell even Philly) at some point. Engineering specifically would be my focus.

[@history_leisure]

Excluding the kitchen, its fine. Maybe have to put the microwave in your bedroom dorm-life style and maybe a few other QOL things in the bathroom IDK

[@metrocityrr]

Oh lord not conrail 🤣🤣🤣

[@boston_and_maine]

what ever he dumps, turns into gold 🥇🥇🥇

[@JeffersonLeeEng]

1:55 Nonagon Infinity opens the door.

[@Droxal]

I thought he was short until he mentioned the tall ceilings lol

[@Token_Nerd]

Is that an R6 with a 50 1.2 I see? Taste man.

[@RSTBKT]

I like the slight nod to Architectural Digest lmao

[@Stargate2077]

3:33 Anyone else confused as to how the dishwasher can fit under that two tub sink?

[@rugbybeef]

If I may ask how long ago is your rent from? I live "not far" (within 5 blocks) and am paying $900 with parking and a small roof deck for a one bedroom with kitchenette, caveat being my rent rate was established in 2011.

[@alanthefisher]

this was 2022 to 2023

[@rugbybeef]

@@alanthefisher Wow, that's a steal these days

[@LoopysLeftovers]

Is the utilities and appliances included with the rent?

[@alanfisherextras]

Water and water heating were the only included utilities

[@marrcl7986]

Still shots of each room go a long way when showing spaces off

[@sebastianjoseph2828]

You get extra points for the TF2 poster.

[@GeorgeMerl]

That's like still more than 60% of my monthly income and I make significantly more than minimum wage 😫

[@dootyminnozezelochi2257]

Haha anyone who looks at condo listings in center city will already know the address because for some reason this building always has at least one suspiciously cheap apartment for sale.

[@aihsonavais769]

My god it’s so cheap

[@Jacksparrow4986]

Said no german ever.

[@aihsonavais769]

@@Jacksparrow4986 uhhh ok?

[@Jacksparrow4986]

@Aihson Avais Only the most expensive (top 5 or so) cities in germany have apartments that are as expensive. Half the cost would be about the nationwide average.

[@aihsonavais769]

@@Jacksparrow4986 this is America 😐 not German Berlin has 3.5 million people NYC has 3 times that Philly only has 1 million people less then Berlin its a completely different thing

[@Jacksparrow4986]

@Aihson Avais Wider berlin is 4.7 million. Size doesn't matter that much. Stupid US policies drive up prices way more than necessary. Wien has probably the smartest policies that keep the prices down while being a city that provides about the best quality of life globally.

[@daveharrison84]

Philly needs to attract people who can't afford New York, Boston, DC.

[@JustJanitor]

I'm impressed for that price.

[@Anthony-zc7df]

Love the soldier tf2 poster

[@potatohead5910]

phily defphia

[@potatohead5910]

also neat bi pride!!!

[@potatohead5910]

oh i didnt watch it far enough. nice njt pride!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@clamdong1974]

nonagon infinity opens the door

[@Mattia_98]

Jesus Christ that's an expensive apartment!

[@lousassle9387]

How am I not surprised you listen to King Gizzard.

[@jacobkatzboyd1646]

Philly is dope.

[@williamerazo3921]

Looking at the apartment 😳 it’s too small 🤨

[@Post_Leako]

there's no such thing as too much pasta

[@jus3278]

Actually pretty good for that price

[@PacificDev1995]

1:30 It's the NJ-Transexual flag

[@_SP64_]

Bi-Flag* it is very colorful

[@polecat3]

TF2 poster!

[@conquistadorito]

This video is just a way for you to mention that you’re 6’4

[@alexinness]

What are you paying for parking?

[@drewcipher896]

I thought the colors were different cause the lighting, I was like "Ah, Alan the bi king". lol They're just trains-sexual.

[@blackman7437]

You complain about the kitchen, but I once toured a $1500 apartment in Bed Stuy where you had to share a kitchen with your neighbor.

[@brunhildevalkyrie]

I didn’t know alan was bi that’s awesome

[@Unknown_Ooh]

Alternate title: How to dox yourself 101

[@NeonNion]

1350$ for that, yikes.

[@officialgreendalehumanbeing]

if you think thats bad, NYC and SF is soooo much worse lol

[@NeonNion]

@@officialgreendalehumanbeing Well, good that I don't have to worry about that as I live in Finland. However, I must admit that prices are quite high here too. Not as quite high though.

[@officialgreendalehumanbeing]

@@NeonNion I admire the way that your country has tackled the homelessness compared to the U.S.

[@NeonNion]

@@officialgreendalehumanbeing Thanks, it's called: "just give homeless people homes". And I completely agree, other countries should do the same, it's simply the morally correct thing to do and cheaper too...

[@bankeygeagoo8661]

how many square feet

[@alanfisherextras]

About 800-ish sqft

[@NeonNion]

@@alanfisherextras Are you sure? 800 square feet equals to 74 square meters. For example, our 2 story 4 bedroom house is 91 square meters.

[@NeonNion]

Just wow, the number Alan provided is most likely wrong and no one other than me has noticed that. My estimate is 50m2 at max.

[@AKSBSU]

@@alanfisherextras I'm in the Midwest and accustomed to a lot more room than that. It's usually 1200 to 1400 sq ft for that price range depending on where you are here. I typically rent a 2 or 3 bedroom place for just myself. It's interesting to see the comments vary for the apartment in your video to being a steal or overpriced depending on the norm of where they live.

[@peabody1976]

NJ Transit flag? So, alternative Armenian flag!

[@runnerrs2]

You pay 1300 for that?

[@justcommenting4981]

In unit washer-dryer? You live like a sultan yet claim patreon?!

[@busandrail]

where on earth can i get the njt pride flag

[@Jacksparrow4986]

I pay slightly less for buying a space that's about 64% larger and including heating/electricity for 4 ppl and 1-2 homeoffices. Tram line in walking diatance, main train station 2km away and very seldomly I have to move more than 3km away from our place. Oh and train station has fast trains going on.

[@KoleWilliams]

USA has a chronic housing shortage nationwide unfortunately, which is driving up prices

[@Jacksparrow4986]

@Kole Williams Jup. There's nothing like r1 to ruin your day.

[@dootyminnozezelochi2257]

​@@KoleWilliams Not compared to most European countries though. When you adjust for local wages/salaries (much lower in most of Europe than the US) housing is quite cheap here in comparison, with the exception of NYC, LA, Miami, etc.

[@dootyminnozezelochi2257]

Yes but what is the median household income in your city? In the Philadelphia metropolitan area it's $74k (€69k). For the average European and average American 1350 a month is in effect a very different sum.

[@Jacksparrow4986]

@Dootyminno Zezelochi Very good point. Looking for rentals I find 66m2 for 420€ so I guess the affordability is better here. Average income might be just 40k€.

[@evandewey6539]

bizarre to me that you'd choose to live in the middle of chinatown and complain about tourists

[@alanfisherextras]

Its a fantastic location, especially if you don't have a car, the tourist complaint is minor compared to what you get in return.

[@evandewey6539]

@@alanfisherextras agreed. philly is way better than dc and new york and probably boston from a tourist perspective

[@leonhardherrmann6958]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWOtn5qhgchsqKs explain the german flag there 😂

[@tobstatv4778]

tf2

[@alexandergreene3234]

💃 promo sm