Seattle native moving to work in Wilmington – seeking relocation advice (Newark: sales, real estate)

[SeaNative]

Thanks for the reply rainrock. I think we’re leaning toward the Brandywine Valley closer to the border. Once the kids get to school age we can reevaluate a more permanent location. We’re looking forward to exploring the area.
What’s the commute time to Wilmington if you live in a Philly Main Line suburb ?

[doctorjef]

You can probably forget buses in Wilmington. The system is very inadequate. But remember, distances here are very short. Driving modestly within greater Wilmington only could mean 2 weeks between fill-ups.

The Acela Express takes an hour and a half between Wilmington and NYC. The regional trains take probably about 2 1/4 hrs -- they're less expensive, make more stops, are slower, and a lot less nice (IMO, though some people think they're just fine). Wilmington is equidistant between NYC and DC, so figure about the same travel times to DC.

[rainrock]

Originally Posted by SeaNative

Thanks for the reply rainrock. I think we’re leaning toward the Brandywine Valley closer to the border. Once the kids get to school age we can reevaluate a more permanent location. We’re looking forward to exploring the area.
What’s the commute time to Wilmington if you live in a Philly Main Line suburb ?

mapquest
Wayne Pa to Wilmington DE.

Total Estimated Time: 38 minutes
Total Estimated Distance: 30.05 miles

But in rush hour you are probably looking at 1 hr+.

You are definitely better off closer to Wilmington unless a future job oppurtunity for your wife takes her towards Philly. Although most of the new growth happening in the Philly area is in Chester County and Western Delaware County. Between the counties of New Castle(DE),Chester(PA),Delaware(PA),Montgomery(PA) you have a population of close to 2.5 M people so you should'nt have to go too far looking for employment. Philadlephia/Bucks County/South jersey account for another 3.5 M people

Here are the Chester County/Delaware County towns I'd look into if you are considering PA..

Chadds Ford
Concord Township
Bethel Township
Thornbury
Westtown-
Glen Mills
Birmingham Township
West Chester- my personal favorite
West Goshen

Good luck.

[phlydude]

Originally Posted by doctorjef

I get so tired of people on this board recommending a move to Middletown for people who will be working in Wilmington! You can live in the Brandywine Hundred or other Wilmington burbs and have a 10 minute drive to work and be well located to what sophistication northern New Castle County has to offer, as well as being close to Philly and the Philly airport, or you can go down to a development out in the middle of what used to be farmland in south New Castle County, with a small town and a daily commute that is going to cost a LOT in gasoline money, time and aggravation. Unless you love to drive and don't mind paying to do so, don't make such a stupid choice. This is a great time to buy in Wilmington and its burbs. Indeed, you could even find some acceptable properties in the few good neighborhoods within the City of Wilmington itself, if you wanted, including the Highlands and Wawaset Park. However, I think you will probably best be served by something in the Brandywine Hundred.

No offense doc, but not everyone can swing a $500k+ house. The OP asked for options and I gave the options that I know best. I personally live in Glasgow and would never think to live below the canal but that is me and I have a commute to Newtown, PA each day (not township, Newtown by Trenton). So I live or die by the car and I find being closer to I-95/Rt 1 a convenience for me compared to the 202 corridor which could add many minutes in busy rush hour commute.

And before you bash me on the commute, my mileage might be greater but on most days, my commute is about 1hr 10 minutes...not much longer than a Main Line to Wilmington commute.

[phlydude]

Originally Posted by SeaNative

Taking the train will be a new experience. Seattle doesn’t have a major rail system.
Is there a good bus system in and around Wilmington? I’m able to go door to door from home to work and back taking the bus.
How long does it take to go to Manhattan from the Wilmington area riding the train?

The train system a very limited Philadelphia area (SEPTA) train service (from Newark to Philadelphia or Amtrak. If you want to pay the money, Amtrak is the way to go but you could also save a lot of money is load up the car and head to a park and ride just north of Philly. Park there and take the train into Trenton. From there, take a NJ Transit train to New York for $12.50.

Total per person will be less than $50 r/t plus gas costs to the station (about 45 minutes from Wilmington via I-95)

[Joe84323]

35 Round trip from Wilmington to Chinatown Manhattan on Double Happiness bus lines

[SeaNative]

Thanks phlydude and Joe84323 for the cheap Manhattan travel options. My little brother lives in Brooklyn so a $35-$50 round trip ticket plus food makes for a cheap weekend babysitter option.

[Joe84323]

Also, if you drive, drive to Philly, park, and take the Chinatown Bus 20 bucks RT to/from Manhattan

[Kelly S. Miles]

Hello,
I am pleased to say that we have a beautiful home in Glendale Arizona (Historic) area on 3/4 of an acre. Kelly

[doctorjef]

Historic Arizona? Now there's an oxymoron, unless you're talking of Native American history. Thanks for your contribution little KellyTroll (or did you mistake this for the Arizona board?).