Do you prefer Wallingford/Media/Swarthmore or the main line? (Springfield: houses, neighborhoods)

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by cpomp

I think having the Tyler Aboretum and Ridley Creek State Park and Linvilla Orchards is where I am coming from. It just provides a more low key countryside feel, not every piece of land is developed like in lower merion, there seems to be much more open space in parts of the Media area. And between Media, Swarthmore, Aston, Middletown and surrounding there are so many little festivals and community gatherings and activities for kids and families, it makes for a real nice community atmosphere. Its obviously present in lower merion, just not on the same level. I feel that in much of lower merion many people just happen to live near eachother, whereas much of media/swarthmore people are more than just neighbors.

Well, Lower Merion is fairly spread out in Penn Valley, Gladwyne, Villanova, and Rosemont, though you are right that the Main Line has more higher-density areas. But it does seem rather counter-intuitive that the Main Line is less inter-connected by virtue of its density. There's no shortage of festive or community gatherings either, especially in Narberth, Ardmore, or Bryn Mawr. Perhaps you prefer the sorts of activities and festivals a greater amount of open space can provide?

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by HeavenWood

Well, Lower Merion is fairly spread out in Penn Valley, Gladwyne, Villanova, and Rosemont, though you are right that the Main Line has more higher-density areas. But it does seem rather counter-intuitive that the Main Line is less inter-connected by virtue of its density. There's no shortage of festive or community gatherings either, especially in Narberth, Ardmore, or Bryn Mawr. Perhaps you prefer the sorts of activities and festivals a greater amount of open space can provide?

I guess. Probably my home town favoritism. But yes, I enjoy more of that small town, open space feel that there seems to be more of in Media and surrounding.

[rdflk]

All of the Main Line would be fine with me. I'd pick any of those places based on shopping or convenience or proximity to work. Close in I'd go with Bala/Wynwood/Narbeth. For shopping I might pick others. If I worked in MontCo I'd pick still others.

I always marvel at how super expensive people think the Main Line is. IF you look -- and of course, depending on what and where you buy -- you'd be surprised how 'affordable' the Main Line could be.

But if I lived there I'd keep perpetuating comments how 'uber exclusive' is is, too. Granted you're not going to get into certain areas for under a certain price point. But it's not like EVERY house EVERYwhere is a half-million dollars.

[LHM]

Originally Posted by rdflk

I always marvel at how super expensive people think the Main Line is. IF you look -- and of course, depending on what and where you buy -- you'd be surprised how 'affordable' the Main Line could be.

Yep. This is one of the many misconceptions about the Main Line.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by LHM

Yep. This is one of the many misconceptions about the Main Line.

There are certainly some less expensive (>$500,000) homes, but the Main Line cost premium still applies to them all the same.

[LHM]

Originally Posted by HeavenWood

There are certainly some less expensive (>$500,000) homes, but the Main Line cost premium still applies to them all the same.

more like >$300,000

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by LHM

more like >$300,000

Sub-$300k single family homes that aren't falling apart? Not entirely non-existent, but still fairly rare. Even so, what turns up is comparatively over-priced. That's not a knock on the Main Line. In many (though certainly not all) ways, the cost premium is justified. It's just the way things are.

[LHM]

Originally Posted by HeavenWood

Sub-$300k single family homes that aren't falling apart?

Correct.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by LHM

Correct.

Originally Posted by HeavenWood

Not entirely non-existent, but still fairly rare. Even so, what turns up is comparatively over-priced.

10chars

[s1oozne]

Just Media really. I could never live on the Main Line, though it is beautiful and impressive.