Commuting to University City from Ambler vs. Drexel Hill (Lansdale: rentals, to live)

[Miks121]

We're moving to Philly in July and are currently looking for rentals. We are considering a place in Ambler or one in Drexel Hill. Which option would provide a shorter commute? I've heard traveling East-West is easier during rush hour than traveling North-South. Any truth to this? Will most likely be using public transportation due to limited parking in University City.

[SEPTA_Social_Media]

Hi Miks121,

Let me start by stating that Drexel Hill is closer to University City than Ambler. Ambler is about 20 miles away, whereas Drexel Hill is about 6 miles away.

As far as public transportation, there is a Regional Rail (SEPTA's commuter train lines) station in Ambler (Ambler Station on the Lansdale/Doylestown Line). The Regional Rail can take you to 30th St Station which is on the edge of University City. From there you could take a short ride on a bus, trolley or train your final destination depending where it is. I would say traveling from Ambler to University City would take 50 min to an hour.

In Drexel Hill, there is no Regional Rail option. (NOTE: You could drive about 10 min to the Gladstone Regional Rail Station on the Media/Elwyn Line). You can take the train from Gladstone to University City Train Station - it's about a 15 min ride.) As far as public transportation from Drexel Hill, there are other modes you can take. You could take the trolley (Route 101 or Route 102) ten minutes to 69th St Transportion Center; then take the subway/elevated train east to 30th St (13 min ride). I would say traveling from Drexel Hill to University City would take about 45 min.

SEPTA | Clickable Regional Rail & Rail Transit Map
http://www.septa.org/schedules/rail/pdf/doy.pdf
http://www.septa.org/schedules/rail/pdf/elw.pdf

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at 215-580-7800, or online at www.septa.org and use the online form or chat feature (http://www.septa.org/cs/chat/).

[bryson662001]

If you are driving from Ambler you take RT 309, an antiquated, over burdened freeway to Cheltenham and then travel is on Rt 611 Broad St to Rt 1 south to I-76 east. This is a Hellish trip and it gets old after a few days.

[refried sushi]

Originally Posted by Miks121

We are considering a place in Ambler or one in Drexel Hill.

I used to commute to Center City from Drexel Hill on the El, via 69th street station. Two thoughts about Drexel Hill:

1. Depending on where in U.C. you will be working the El may be a better commute than the regional line in that it stops at 40th, 34th, and 30th streets, whereas the regional will get you to 30th street station only. Its a fairly quick trip into the city from 69th street, but getting to 69th street is the key. If you live near the 101/102 trolley line you have great access into 69th street, otherwise this is less of a terrific option. Consider how easy it would be for you to get to El from your potential home. Septa's 45 minute estimate is high IMO.

2. I found D.H. to be a very livable, working class, cheap, and down-to-earth community. I live on the mainline now and miss those aspects.

Good Luck!

[qjbusmaster]

Originally Posted by bryson662001

If you are driving from Ambler you take RT 309, an antiquated, over burdened freeway to Cheltenham and then travel is on Rt 611 Broad St to Rt 1 south to I-76 east. This is a Hellish trip and it gets old after a few days.

basically your better off using SEPTA pretty much even with delays it's still faster than driving

[qjbusmaster]

Originally Posted by refried sushi

I used to commute to Center City from Drexel Hill on the El, via 69th street station. Two thoughts about Drexel Hill:

1. Depending on where in U.C. you will be working the El may be a better commute than the regional line in that it stops at 40th, 34th, and 30th streets, whereas the regional will get you to 30th street station only. Its a fairly quick trip into the city from 69th street, but getting to 69th street is the key. If you live near the 101/102 trolley line you have great access into 69th street, otherwise this is less of a terrific option. Consider how easy it would be for you to get to El from your potential home. Septa's 45 minute estimate is high IMO.

2. I found D.H. to be a very livable, working class, cheap, and down-to-earth community. I live on the mainline now and miss those aspects.

Good Luck!

inaccurate SEPTA regional rail has a station DIRECTLY at U.C depending on the line as many throughroute through 30th street.

[bryson662001]

Originally Posted by qjbusmaster

basically your better off using SEPTA pretty much even with delays it's still faster than driving

For this particular trip you may be right.... depending on how convenient station parking is and where it is and where the op has to go in the city. It's a shame that 309 was never hooked up to 95 and the Bettsy Ross bridge because of nimby pressure.

[Miks121]

Thank you all for the replies. I truly appreciate the advice. I'm still trying to figure out SEPTA's website. The challenge is that I'm not yet familiar with all the Philly suburbs and where they are in relation to UC. Just to be more specific, my husband will be traveling to the Philly VA in UC, 3800 Woodlawn Ave. I'm familiar with the regional rail stop at University City but not sure if this is the closest stop to the VA. I think I waw a trolley line just across from the VA and wondering if this would be a better option coming from Drexel.

[bryson662001]

Originally Posted by Miks121

Thank you all for the replies. I truly appreciate the advice. I'm still trying to figure out SEPTA's website. The challenge is that I'm not yet familiar with all the Philly suburbs and where they are in relation to UC. Just to be more specific, my husband will be traveling to the Philly VA in UC, 3800 Woodlawn Ave. I'm familiar with the regional rail stop at University City but not sure if this is the closest stop to the VA. I think I waw a trolley line just across from the VA and wondering if this would be a better option coming from Drexel.

Well there you go. The VA hospital is a very long walk from 30th St station. The UC stop (the only other UC stop) isn't too much closer and it involves changing trains to the airport line which means more delay. The trollys you see on Woodland Av I don't believe go where you want to live. He will probably choose to drive but still Drexal Hill is a heck of a lot closer then Ambler.

[maf763]

Nonsense. The UC stop is about a 5-8 minute walk from the VA hospital and a number of different lines stop there. The other option is to change at 30th Street to one of a number of trolleys that stop at 37th and Spruce. They run frequently and it is just a couple of minutes to the stop from 30th St.