Moving to PA, suggestions for commute to NJ, NYC (Philadelphia: apartments, neighborhoods)

[worthy22]

Found this forum and hoping to get some advice.

I have a daughter who will be working at Burlington in NJ in the near future. She's going to be relocating from Upstate NY (Rochester area) to either PA or NJ. But I think she really is leaning toward PA.

Just looking for some suggestions of places/areas to check out. Basically, I know she's looking for a modern area with lots of things to do within close distance like restaurants, bars, etc. I think she's sort of been looking at Philly area suburbs but not sure if that's ideal or not.

She'll basically be looking for nice apartments to stay in that provides ability to travel to Burlington NJ a couple days a week (probably by car) and NYC a couple days a week (probably by train). I know her preference is to find a safer, gated community but not sure if that will be possible. It's probably key to have some easy train access though.

I know one place high on her list is the Manayuck area as she likes the vibe there. Not sure how practical that is with the commutes she'll have though.

I've also heard somebody mention Ambler as an area to possibly check out but know nothing about that either.

I personally think it would make more sense for her to try and get closer to her NJ/NYC commutes than Manayuck/Ambler. Does she really want to spend a couple hours to/from NYC on a train? And I'm guessing the drive in a car to Burlington NJ will end up being close to an hour each way with traffic. If it were me, I think I'd be looking more toward northern NJ just to make the commutes easier but I'm not familiar with any of the areas at all so really no idea.

Just wondering if anybody had any suggestions of modern/trendy/upscale areas or even neighborhoods to check out in PA for somebody that needs to commute to Burlington NJ & NYC (Penn Station).

[Tweb66]

If she likes Manayunk, have her look into Northern Liberties or Fishtown. Both are pricier but she will like them if she likes Manayank. They are on the other side of town and will be fairly easy commutes to Burlington. Its also a straight shot up 95 to the Trenton NJ Transit station that goes to Penn Station (there might be other NJ Transit options that I am not familiar with. I just use the Trenton station when I go to NYC).



If she wants something more along the lines of Ambler, there other options to the east that will make commuting better such as Doylestown, Newtown and Yardley. Nothing wrong with Manayunk (lived there for 7 years) or Ambler but she can find similar qualities to the east, making her commute easier.

[worthy22]

That's good stuff. Appreciate the reply!

Northern Liberties looks pretty interesting to me. I think she's just after that sort of trendy vibe with some cool hangout spots with restaurants, bars, etc but at the same time won't be too far from Philly, NYC, Burlington & NYC.

THANKS

Originally Posted by Tweb66

If she likes Manayunk, have her look into Northern Liberties or Fishtown. Both are pricier but she will like them if she likes Manayank. They are on the other side of town and will be fairly easy commutes to Burlington. Its also a straight shot up 95 to the Trenton NJ Transit station that goes to Penn Station (there might be other NJ Transit options that I am not familiar with. I just use the Trenton station when I go to NYC).



If she wants something more along the lines of Ambler, there other options to the east that will make commuting better such as Doylestown, Newtown and Yardley. Nothing wrong with Manayunk (lived there for 7 years) or Ambler but she can find similar qualities to the east, making her commute easier.

[BeerGeek40]

Originally Posted by worthy22

Found this forum and hoping to get some advice.

I have a daughter who will be working at Burlington in NJ in the near future. She's going to be relocating from Upstate NY (Rochester area) to either PA or NJ. But I think she really is leaning toward PA.

Just looking for some suggestions of places/areas to check out. Basically, I know she's looking for a modern area with lots of things to do within close distance like restaurants, bars, etc. I think she's sort of been looking at Philly area suburbs but not sure if that's ideal or not.

She'll basically be looking for nice apartments to stay in that provides ability to travel to Burlington NJ a couple days a week (probably by car) and NYC a couple days a week (probably by train). I know her preference is to find a safer, gated community but not sure if that will be possible. It's probably key to have some easy train access though.

I know one place high on her list is the Manayuck area as she likes the vibe there. Not sure how practical that is with the commutes she'll have though.

I've also heard somebody mention Ambler as an area to possibly check out but know nothing about that either.

I personally think it would make more sense for her to try and get closer to her NJ/NYC commutes than Manayuck/Ambler. Does she really want to spend a couple hours to/from NYC on a train? And I'm guessing the drive in a car to Burlington NJ will end up being close to an hour each way with traffic. If it were me, I think I'd be looking more toward northern NJ just to make the commutes easier but I'm not familiar with any of the areas at all so really no idea.

Just wondering if anybody had any suggestions of modern/trendy/upscale areas or even neighborhoods to check out in PA for somebody that needs to commute to Burlington NJ & NYC (Penn Station).

Given what you are saying here I think it makes a lot more sense to live in central NJ, somewhere along the NJ Transit line between Phiadelphia and NYC. Sure NJ is expensive but so is Manayuck. Why would you live in Philadelphia and have to deal with Philly traffic on the Schuylkill Expressway, and also don't forget the tolls crossing back & forth between NJ and PA. I say find a place in central NJ - perhaps New Brunswick area.

[blazerj]

I'd look into the Princeton area. Easy train to NYC, can drive to Burlington and it's a cool college town. Basically, she should live off the NE Corridor train line.

I'd rule out the PA burbs of Philly, but she could live in Center City (although she'd have to pay for monthly parking and Amtrak instead of NJ Transit).