Firts of all thank you for all the replies. I really appreciate the feedbacks and they sure are helpful.

I'm starting to have an idea of the places. Let's see, all the Center City are aso is good, Art Museum good...how about Fairmount? It's pretty close to Art Museum. At first I saw a couple of apartments at good prices in Camden, the unfortunately I read about all the crime etc and avoided. I'll look to Manayunk, I heard good things about it also before writing here. From what I aslo understand I probably should avoid west Philly.

As far as the price goes it's not the biggest problem. I'm planning to spend somewhere around 1500 per month on the rent only, and possibly I'd like to find something with a parking. I saw some ads and you can find some good things for that price. Mostly I want it with parking because what I'm going to spend on that I'm going to save it on car insurance.

Now I'm probably never going to use the public transportation if I'm coming/going back to work, is there employee parking at the airport? And also, after reading G2TT's comment this is the question...let's say again I come back at 11 pm or so and I'm going back home nice and happy in my car...before getting home I stop at a store to buy a couple of things...is it like somebody is going to assault me because I have the uniform still on? Obviously it depends on the area, so let's take in consideration the areas we mentioned before as safe.

As far as eating goes, Zero1Niner, I am Italian. So I'll sure try out the restaurant you pointed out. This is also one of the reasons I'm looking to go living in Philly, lots of flights to Europe compared to the other bases. That sure helps if I have to go visit family and friends.

Any other suggestions?

EDIT: forgot to ask...how about nightlife? good places around the area to have some fun without getting killed when you get out? Aviatiormar you seem like the expert about this subject