Commuting to Bryn Mawr--where to live? (Lancaster: wage, living in, price)

[newmarlig]

You could easily drive from Ardmore to Bryn Mawr. You'd be going away from the city, so traffic probably would not be too bad.

[orrmobl]

I would not recommend Overbrook...my college prof got mugged there walking in the early evening from the R5 to St. Joe's...and St. Joe's students are no strangers to crime either...

[FuzzyDunlop]

Hi All,

Thanks for the feedback.

Here's a related question. RR, subway, and other public transport fares seem pretty high in Philly as compared with other places. Is this really the case?

What would a monthly total look like for taking the R5 from Market-East or Suburban Station to Bryn Mawr, M-F?

There seem to be lots of different options, zone-based fares, etc. Is there something like a monthly pass that you can buy that works on everything, in case I would need to take subway, trolley, bus, etc.? Any links would be appreciated.

Still haven't decided on Main Line or the city yet...

Thanks!

[leighland]

The monthly SEPTA pass from CC to Bryn Mawr is 142.50, unlimited rides for the month. I've heard its good for buses too but I've never tried it.

[FuzzyDunlop]

Thanks for the info!

[Tone509]

Trailpasses are good for travel on any SEPTA transportation up to the zone that you purchased (i.e. Zones 2-6). Transpasses are good for any Zone 1 transportation in the city limits including off-peak Regional Rail trains, save those Jersey-bound routes on the R3 and R7.

[regcrusher]

Center City is your only option to get to Bryn Mawr in 30 minutes. If you're willing to spend up to 45 minutes each way, you might want to try living in Fairmount. I live there and commute to Ardmore daily for work. Normally, I drive in, which is about 20 minutes. Sometimes, in cases of snow, car trouble, etc., I take the 48 bus to Suburban Station (10-15 minutes depending on traffic), and catch the R5 to Ardmore from there (about a 22-25 minute ride). I'm pretty sure Bryn Mawr's the next stop after Ardmore, and they're only a mile or two apart, which puts it closer to a 30 minute ride from Suburban Station.

[FuzzyDunlop]

Tone 509--thanks for that.

Regcrusher--that might be a workable idea. I take it your drive in is a "reverse" commute, so that you're not fighting too much traffic? Is that also the case when you drive back to the city in the evening? How's parking in Fairmount?

[regcrusher]

That's correct, it is a reverse commute, and I rarely encounter any traffic during both the morning and evening rush.

Parking in Fairmount is not too bad if you work a normal day shift. There are lots of car commuters in the neighborhood, and the streets get pretty full after 7 or 8 PM but if you're getting home before then, it shouldn't be a problem. I normally get home around 5:30, and almost always park within a block of my apartment.

[FuzzyDunlop]

Thanks Regcrusher, that's definitely an option I'm going to consider.