Looking at Media, and Abington areas, moving to Philly this summer:

[JBot]

Thanks, yeah, we are set to move August 1st. We do have to sublet our current apartment, which kinda sucks, but I think we'll be able to find someone to take over within the next couple months. But yeah, I'm really looking forward to moving out there. The 2nd bedroom of the apartment we're moving into is roughly 13 x 9.5 ft. (the Master is a little bit larger) Way better than the current room, which is roughly 8.5 x 9.5 ft. I'm really looking forward to turning it into a decent usable home music studio. It only has one bathroom, which is a little inconvenient, but we'll make it work. Also, it's a 2nd floor end unit, which is great. Overall, it seemed to be a nice quiet area too.

It's a nice tree-lined area, and the buildings are a little older (built 1948) but they look pretty good, and seem to be well maintained. The rent is a tad pricey, but given the area it's in, and the proximity to the train and shopping, I think it is a pretty good deal, and we liked it better than some of the more expensive high and mid rises we looked at.

I've attached a couple images from my imgur account. Hopefully they're not too huge in the message.

[2e1m5a]

My brother and his family are in Wynnewood-very beautiful area and you can't beat that train line into the city.

[Pocopsonite]

What a really pretty street and lot! Hope you both have wonderful, fulfilling careers ahead of you in this area!

[UL885]

I've been following this fun adventure and enjoying the updates and information shared. Best wishes to the OP!
We will also be moving to the area from Long Island, as recent retirees, and what I've learned here has been extremely helpful. I am hoping the conversation continues, as our circumstances are somewhat similar, with a few minor differences. If I may, here goes:
Will rent for 6 months to a year, then (hopefully) buy.
Looking for a 1 or preferably 2 br apt, also prefer no upstairs neighbors. Rent no more than $1200 if possible.
Would really like to be able to walk to a good downtown (like Media)
Also like proximity to transportation line to Philadelphia Center City (not more than 45 min commute by rail or bus)
Would also consider nice parts of the city, but parking seems to be an issue (we really like S. Philly around Passyunk, as it reminds me of my youth in Brooklyn - not today's Brooklyn)
If we do find a great place closer to or in CC we might give up the car after trying out the transit options for a while - opinions welcome, please!
Within a year We'd like to buy a townhouse or condo and our max budget would be around $240,000

We hope the OP continues to keep us updated as well!
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[JBot]

I agree, Wynnewood is a great area, though like other places on the main line, rent is a little pricey.

UL885, from my readings and research, I think Media would be worth looking at as well as possibly Roxborough/Manayunk. We were looking at some condos at Green Tree Run and Greentree Summit up on Shawmont Ave in Roxborough. They were $1200-ish for a 2-Bed when we were looking, but that may have changed by now. Also, those Condos aren't that close to the train.

I think Media Station down in Media run about $1200/month for the large 2Bd with Den, give or take, and it's next to the Media train station, which is about a 35min train ride into center city. (if Septa/Google are any indication) Though, being further out, it is SEPTA Zone 3, which is a little more pricey if you need a monthly pass. I don't know what the car ride into CC would be like.

As for us now, yeah, we're in the process of pre-packing and tying up loose ends here in Iowa. Movers are coming near the end of July to pack and load, then we have to have the carpets cleaned professionally as per the lease. Unfortunately, since we renewed our lease back in December, and didn't know we were moving for sure until March, we have to find someone to sublease/take over our lease here in Iowa, which is a mild pain. So, I'm advertising the sublet via craigslist, and getting maintenance to fix a couple non-crucial things. (the bathroom sink fixture is corroded on the inside, and probably needs replacing, but that's the only thing left) I think we'll manage to get someone in here before we move out at the end of July.

We'll probably hit the road end of July, since my wife has to get fingerprinted for the new job no later than August 1st since the job starts September 1st. (as mentioned, she'll be working in a lab in the CHOP, so the background checks are pretty damned thorough) Hah, I'm just waiting for an admin to say "Um, where's the rest of your residential info? We don't have everything back to 1975." And, my wife would be like, "I wasn't even born yet in 1975!"