Philadelphia residents.

Before my trucking career, I had a regular job in Philadelphia. I had to pay federal tax, state tax, and LOCAL tax. Yes there is a third level of income tax you have to pay if you are in Philadelphia. I can’t think of a worse place to live as a truck driver.

 

Set up a domicile in a state that doesn't have state income taxes, then take your off time in Philly.
Most companies don't care where you take your off time as long as it's in the hiring area/freight lanes.
100's of driver do this.
Keep more of your paycheck by not having some state withhold income taxes.
You can set up a domicile without actually owning or renting property.
Texas, Florida, South Dakota are 3 examples, but there's more.

 

Finding a place to park your rig in ANY city is a hassle. I used to live close to an industrial area in my city, so I was able to curb-park my rig on the weekends just around the corner from my house in my old neighborhood (which was in the process of turning into a slum back then). I thought I was lucky.....until the day some drunk driver slammed into the back of my VERY visible trailer, killing his passenger and ripping my ICC bumper off. After that, my company wouldn't let me park near my house.

 

Pa is a nice state. I would probably pick an hour away from Philly. Rent will be cheaper. The are a lot of hubs near Harrisburg and Allentown. A year from now you could probably get a job in ltl. Personally I think driving a truck in PA is more dangerous than other states, so it wouldn't be my first choice.

 

I have to agree with the "put your stuff in storage and run OTR, and take your hometime at a nice motel."

I've moved around a lot, so I've never felt the crushing mental agony of living in "the same old place with the same old faces".

I just think that you should take some time before fully committing to a particular city.

What if you move to Philly, and it ain't all that?

You say you'd be willing to rent an "800/mo slophouse", but what if you get there and there's more "slop" than you're willing to put up with?

Full disclosure, I grew up in a "lahge nawtheastin city", and I'm DONE with the northeast.

So, anyway, Central Transport will keep you in the area, but with LTL you're basically using your apartment for a needlessly expensive sleeper.

I feel like I'm rambling, so......"you do you", and best of luck with your big adventure!

 

You already have your CDL.

So, "NO".

Keep applying to other companies.

 

I don't see any good reason to agree to a $7,000 debt hanging over your head if you already have your CDL. I've run reefer and I would jump out a window before I did i again. Other people make a career doing it and it works for them. It was too much hassle and dishonesty and waiting for my taste. That's why they make so many flavors of ice cream.

 

I used to live in a "flop house" apartment in Philadelphia.

When you go to the store in that area, there is bulletproof glass between you and and the cashier. They scan the item through the bulletproof glass, and then you slip your cash into the slot under the glass.

 

Some people enjoy that culture. I'm not one of them.
Some claim they're stuck and can't get out. 2.5 million Americans felt the same until the Dust Bowl hit, then 2.5 million Americans migrated to other parts of the USA. Yes, people can leave, unless they're addicted to the culture like a meth addict.