Wayne PA Ardmore PA (Philadelphia, York: apartments, crime rate, neighborhood)

[pennquaker09]

My uncle lives in Bala Cynwyd, talk about pretentious. Not him, but some of those people, sheesh!

Of all of the Main Line locales, I prefer Villanova. That's so going to be the place I build my dream home.

I from Alabama and we had our own version of old and new money there.

[mainlinephilly]

Wayne is lovely town with a few beautiful churches. One is St. Katherines a lovely catholic church and school. I have lived in the area my whole life and many people have expressed to me when moving here that it is difficult to get invites even with kids.
One has to join the proper country clubs, Overbrook Golf, Philadelphia Country Club,
Aronamik Golf or Merion Cricket Club. I have found that many families do their socializing with other members. My children attend a private school on the mainline which there are many private schools and we are one of the only ones that do not belong to a club.
SO this area is difficult for relocators if you don't have the money to buy into the establishments. Lots of new money or are "accepted" because of the house, club , and private schools. If you don't have that combo hard area to move to.

[ScoobyDee]

Really quick reply. How pretentious an area is to you depends on where you came from before you moved to the area. I am reading the comments about the Mainline being pretentious, but it didn't seem that way to me when I was there, maybe because I came from areas that were more pretentious. Ardmore, Media, Newtown Square, Paoli, Devon -- they're all nice areas close to places to shop and eat, and they're not so pretentious. Compare them to Newton, MA or any place around NYC (OK maybe not Jersey City, but parts of it), or even places out West, for example, parts of Las Vegas, NV and Scottsdale, AZ, and you'll see just how nice and unpretentious the Main Line is -- which is why I'm considering moving back to the Philly area.

BTW, I spent some time in Wayne, and I didn't think it was pretentious -- just dull. It's mainly suburban without much to do, unless it has changed over the past couple of years.

Areas I love: Lower Merion, Ardmore, Media, Newtown Square, Uwchland township. Areas I want to learn more about: Phoenixville, Collegeville, Royersford, Pottstown, Downingtown/Caln/Coatesville.
Trying to determine which areas are best for a family, and I will go with the advice in this thread.
Best place for a single yuppie: hands-down, the following zips in Center City, in this order: 19106 (Old City & Soc. Hill), 19103 (Rittenhouse and Fitler squares), 19102 (Ave. of the Arts), 19107 (Washington Square, Chinatown, and a section right near Ave. of the Arts), 19147 (Queens Village, Bella Vista), 19146 (Grad. Hospital), parts of 19104 (University City -- not my taste, but a lot of people love it), 19130 (Art Museum).

Except for the rain you all get in Philly, I love Center City. I've seen people help an old lady who tripped on the sidewalk, and it seems like people truly do look out for each other (and not to pick-pocket them, either) there. Having lived in Beantown, I can tell you it isn't the same.

[Kelliott]

I too am looking into moving to one of the Mainline areas. I took a visit to Wayne with some family one day this past December and thought that it was a "cute" town. I was only there for a day though and I wondered whether or not it was a place that would get boring after a while. I mean, how often am I really going to go to all those expensive boutiques? Probably not much if ever.
I am a single mother in her late 20's so I'm looking for something a little more down to earth and with more things around to walk to that I will actually use. Like grocery stores, health food, cafes, restaurants, etc. So, I've been researching Ardmore.

I prefer to stay on the mainline because I have a sister that will be attending Cabrini College in Radnor. I haven't been to Ardmore yet but I've tried looking online to get a feel for what it may be like. It's hard to tell until I actually see it. That's why any advice until then really helps. It seems like Ardmore has some affordable rentals compared to Wayne. I've decided not to buy until I live there for at least a year and see what areas I really like. I've already made the mistake of buying in a place too soon. Not going there again!

BTW, is it best to stay north of RT. 30 in Ardmore? or does it not really matter? On the map it appears that most of the local stores and ammenities are on the north side of the road (correct me if I'm wrong) and I can't tell but it also looks like, at that point, the road looks pretty wide and hard to cross (especially with a toddler in tow).

[newtoPA]

just a quick reply- I have to say I completely disagree with you that how pretentious you find the Mainline depends on where you come from. I was born in Manhattan and raised in an affluent area of Queens- as a matter of fact, Donald Trump's parents still live around the corner from my old house. It was and is still one of the nicest areas in NY. As much money as those people had/have, I never felt or saw that attitude that I see here. I just moved from Wayne because we hated that attitude- we had family visiting, and just driving around or going to the stores, they said to me "who do these people think they are??" pretentious is pretentious- I don't care where you're coming from. People are nice if they want to be- and unwelcoming to newcomers if they choose to be- which the mainline is. Unwelcoming. Sorry if the truth hurts but I hate to see 'new' people being misled- People should be prepared, especially if they plan to buy a home in the area. Just my 2 cents, honest opinion.

[leighland]

Originally Posted by Kelliott

BTW, is it best to stay north of RT. 30 in Ardmore? or does it not really matter? On the map it appears that most of the local stores and ammenities are on the north side of the road (correct me if I'm wrong) and I can't tell but it also looks like, at that point, the road looks pretty wide and hard to cross (especially with a toddler in tow).

The retail is actually bisected by the Ardmore stop on Septa's R5 line. Smaller mom-n-pops on Lancaster (aka Rt 30) itself; more upscale Suburban Square (Trader Joes/Banana Republic), a very small outdoor mall on Anderson and Montgomery Ave. Both Montgomery and Rt 30/Lancaster are traffic yuchy. Good toddler Parks and more family friendly south of Rt30/Lancaster towards Haverford Ave (follow along Ardmore Ave on Google Maps). Big, expensive homes and more quiet North of Montgomery Ave towards Rt 23/Conshy State Rd. New redevelopment plan to start around '09 for the Ardmore Ave business district to join Sub. Square and Rt. 30.

[Kelliott]

I just found a rather disturbing link to some data on crime rates in Philadelphia.
Moderator cut: linking to competitors sites is not allowed


Is the mainline an exception to all of this. I know it isn't right "in" Philly but it's pretty close. Am I even going to want to go into the city if it's so unsafe?
I'm not from the area so I'm just going by what I've seen by internet research. Can anyone tell me what it's like to live in a Philly suburb (something as close as Ardmore for example) as far as safety concerns? Do you ever go into the city alone at night? Or is it just certain parts of Philly that are just so bad for crime that they make the whole city look bad?

[leighland]

Originally Posted by Kelliott

Do you ever go into the city alone at night?

There are certain neighborhoods that you don't want to get near at all. Granted thats where the concentration of crime is. But, I lived in Ritt Square in Center City during the summer and I did not feel safe strolling at night, nor getting into my car at night. I think Urban types feel fine hopping a taxi to and from restaurants... There were 392 murders in Philly last year, thats more than 1 a day and it indicates the amount of petty crime (someone ripping off your necklace while walking at nite for example). I stay in the burbs.

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by Kelliott

I just found a rather disturbing link to some data on crime rates in Philadelphia.

Moderator cut: linking to competitors sites is not allowed


Is the mainline an exception to all of this. I know it isn't right "in" Philly but it's pretty close. Am I even going to want to go into the city if it's so unsafe?
I'm not from the area so I'm just going by what I've seen by internet research. Can anyone tell me what it's like to live in a Philly suburb (something as close as Ardmore for example) as far as safety concerns? Do you ever go into the city alone at night? Or is it just certain parts of Philly that are just so bad for crime that they make the whole city look bad?

I don't recall where you're from but if you're familiar with urban locales such as New York and Chicago then you'll be fine walking many of the streets in Philadelphia. Downtown (aka Center City to locals) is an extremely popular nighttime destination. Old City, Northern Liberties, South Street, Rittenhouse Square and the Art Museum Area are all buzzing at night. Outside the downtown core, University City, Manayunk and Chestnut Hill are among other places that are active at night.

It is true unfortunately that much of North Philly, West Philly and upper South Philly are facing challenges with crime. But much of the city is fine. The Northwest, the far Northeast, lower South Philly, and, of course, Center City are safer neighborhoods. I say "safer" because the urban reality is that "stuff happens". If one possesses street wisdom and common sense, you'll avoid 99.9% of the potential bad situations out there. Of course, that could apply to any city.

If you're concerned with crime spillover from the city, I'd advise against living in any Delaware County town that borders West Philly (e.g. Upper Darby, Darby, Yeadon, etc.) Not that these areas are crime havens but many of West Philly/University City's residents who are priced out of rising rents and/or looking for an affordable change of scenery end up there.

As far as the Main Line goes, I imagine things can get interesting on occasion along City Line Avenue where the town of Bala Cynwyd meets the Overbrook section of the city. But I certainly wouldn't worry about being accosted along the (mostly) old money Main Line.

[leighland]

Originally Posted by Tone509

It is true unfortunately that much of North Philly, West Philly and upper South Philly are facing challenges with crime.

So that leaves what? A pocket downtown and "East Philly", where ever that is? Chicago and NYC are much safer than Philly.