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Philadelphia, known both as the City of Brotherly Love and Birthplace of the Nation, is a city steeped in rich history and filled with modern diversity and opportunity. With a population of 1.5 million residents, Philadelphia is the fifth-largest city in the United States, as well as a leading commercial and cultural center for the nation (not to mention a great place to explore apartments for rent).

Quality of Life
Residents here appreciate the city.s historical sites, cutting-edge shopping, eclectic restaurants, multitude of green parks and fairly moderate climate. Philadelphia has hot, humid summers averaging 77 degrees in July and cold winters averaging 34 degrees in January. Philadelphia tourists and residents alike enjoy visiting the city's numerous historic sites, including Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and Franklin Court (Benjamin Franklin's home and museum).

Philly prides itself on its museums and other cultural points of interest, which include the Museum of American Art, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Rodin Museum, Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia History and the Walnut Street Theater. Other local points of pride are the city.s well-respected universities, including the University of Pennsylvania and Temple Univeristy. The locals turn out every year for popular city traditions including parades, ethnic festivals and other celebrations. Sports fans have plenty of teams to root for, including football team the Philadelphia Eagles, basketball team the Philadelphia 76ers, and hockey team the Philadelphia Flyers, in addition to the local college teams.

Cost of Living & Apartment Prices
All the good living and job opportunities to be found in Philadelphia come at a price, though; the overall cost of living in Philadelphia is 27% above the national average, and apartments for rent are no exception. In fact, Philadelphia has the most expensive apartments in Pennsylvania, with median rents at $650 per month. In "Center City," located in Philadelphia's downtown, one-bedroom apartments go for $650-$850 per month, while two-bedroom apartment rentals go for $1,000 and up. Rents tend to be slightly less expensive for apartments in other, less popular areas of the city.

Neighborhoods to Explore
You'll find a wide range of apartments for rent downtown, especially in Center City, where you can enjoy true urban living with your home, job, entertainment and shopping all in the same neighborhood. If you're looking for apartments with history, take a look at Society Hill, a hip area with beautifully restored buildings. If you don't mind a commute, explore apartment rentals outside the city in Philadelphia's numerous suburbs, including Bryn Mawr, Haverford, Merion, Ardmore, Wayne and Villanova. Keep in mind, though, that just because you're living outside the city, you won't necessarily enjoy lower rents than you would in Philly: Prices for apartments in the affluent Main Line area outside of Philadelphia rival those in parts of the city.