Psst — I'm new here too!
New to Fishtown? Start here.
A short, honest guide to the businesses and basics worth knowing in your first few months — picked by someone who lives here, not paid placements pretending to be recommendations.
Pick a pin
Start with a category
Every category is part of one guide to Fishtown: what to set up first, who to call, and where to go.
1. The basics — set these up first
Internet & Utilities
How to set up electric, gas, water and internet service after moving to Fishtown, with the utilities you'll need to contact in your first week.
Read →🚗Parking & Transit
Getting a residential parking permit, moving-day no-parking permits, and getting around Fishtown by train, bike, or on foot.
Read →🗑️Trash & Recycling
Find your exact trash and recycling collection day by address, plus the rules for bins, bulk items, and what actually happens if you miss a week.
Read →2. Getting to know the neighborhood
Dog Walkers & Pet Sitters
Dog walkers and pet sitters serving Fishtown — a high-urgency need in one of Philadelphia's most dog-heavy neighborhoods.
Read →📦Movers
Local movers who know Fishtown's rowhomes and narrow streets — the single highest-urgency need when you're actually moving in.
Read →🔧Handyman Services
Reliable handymen for the small, immediate fixes that come up right after moving into a Fishtown rowhome.
Read →🚿Plumbers
Plumbers who know Fishtown's older rowhome plumbing — for the leaks, clogs, and water heater problems that can't wait.
Read →🌡️HVAC
Heating and air conditioning companies who service Fishtown's rowhomes, from window units and mini-splits to older gas furnaces.
Read →🖌️Painters
Interior and exterior house painters for Fishtown rowhomes — what to know about lead paint rules and renter permissions before you hire one.
Read →🛒Groceries
Where to buy groceries in walking distance in Fishtown, from full supermarkets to the corner spots worth knowing for a quick trip.
Read →🏋️Gyms & Fitness
Gyms, studios, and fitness options in Fishtown, from full gyms to boutique classes, picked for newcomers building a routine.
Read →✂️Pet Groomers
Dog and cat groomers in Fishtown worth booking for regular grooming, in a neighborhood with a lot of dogs.
Read →🏠Realtors
Realtors who know Fishtown's market — for buying, selling, or renting in the neighborhood.
Read →🛋️Furniture Stores
Furniture and home-goods stores in Fishtown worth knowing when you're furnishing a new place, from vintage finds to full showrooms.
Read →🎨Art Galleries
Art galleries and studios worth knowing in Fishtown, from fixed gallery spaces to a mobile gallery that comes to you.
Read →📞Who to Call
The real numbers to call in Fishtown for police, city services, and utility emergencies — including why calling your police district won't get an officer sent to you.
Read →🏫Schools
Public schools in and around Fishtown, how your address decides your designated school, and where to look for charter, private and pre-K options.
Read →The Newcomer Guide
If you only read one page on this site, make it the guide — it links to everything else.
How well do you know Fishtown?
Ten questions on the neighborhood the fish built. Climb from Bait to Founding Fish.
Play The Shad RunTakes about 3 minutes.
Snapshots
Around the neighborhood
Photos: placeholder tone blocks — swap in real neighborhood photography.
On his block
Page 2: the backstory
Hi! I'm Jason. I'm new here too.
I moved in right next door in January 2026 and immediately had all the normal questions that come with moving somewhere new:
- Where do I buy groceries?
- Who's a good vet?
- How does parking work?
- Who do I call when something breaks?
The answers were scattered everywhere. So I started building the thing I wanted when I got here. We can figure out the neighborhood together.
— Jason
Read the full story →Free · One page · No spam
Your first 30 days in Fishtown
A one-page list of everything to set up after moving to Fishtown: utilities, parking permit, trash day, and the places worth knowing. Plus a few short emails over your first weeks. No spam, and you can unsubscribe anytime.
- Right away
the checklist PDF and every setup link, all at once. - Day 3
what to find before something breaks — shutoff, breaker panel, detectors. - Day 7
the deadlines that started the day you moved — PennDOT, permits, insurance. - Day 12
the block's rhythm — trash slides, snow routes, recycling rules. - Day 18
how to stop being the new person. - Day 25
making it home — furniture, pet groomers. - Day 32
one month in — what did we miss?
Picks are chosen on merit
Not paid placements pretending to be recommendations.
Paid Partnerships are always labeled
Some businesses sponsor a category to meet new residents. You'll always see it marked.