family moving to philadelphia from new york (Norristown, King of Prussia: rent, townhouses)

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by ha215

Noted! Thank you for your insight. But I am so confused. When I mapped Plymouth meeting to arch street (several different times including early mornings), it said it would take about 25 minutes to drive and about an hour on the train. That's why we wanted to invest in a parking garage, for what seemed to be the easier commute option.

What about Ardmore? Bryn Mawr? I believe those are pricer but maybe not as safe since they're closer to the city? Genuinely asking!

Depending on what map site you're using, it may not be accounting for rush hour traffic...or in these COVID times, commuting estimates are deceptively fast.

Ardmore and Bryn Mawr are part of the upscale Main Line that include Narberth. Those are great towns although your rental budget will almost definitely need to rise for a quality place and taking the train would be highly recommended to avoid trafficky Lancaster Avenue/Route 30, the main route from there into the city.

[Mayvenne]

You got me curious--- so I just put in Plymouth Meeting to Arch St Philadelphia ( I didn't put in any number address just ws looking generally and I got 37 to 40 minutes ).

Ardmore and Bryn Mawr are both very safe -- but probably too pricey.

[Penna76]

I would highly recommend East Falls in the city itself (great area, you will get more for your money here and it has a suburban/urban feel). You have solid transit access, decent parking, and you are only 25 minutes from Center City.

You have beautiful Fairmount park at your disposal for recreation, Manyunk which is a vibrant neighborhood evoking a smaller town feel is only 5 minutes away, and you have shopping areas like Target and Acme a short drive up City Ave.

Your child is young enough you do not need to worry about schools until you get a feel for the area. It is a family friendly area, and you should be able to find a 2 bedroom in your budget.

[ilovephilly79]

Originally Posted by ha215

Noted! Thank you for your insight. But I am so confused. When I mapped Plymouth meeting to arch street (several different times including early mornings), it said it would take about 25 minutes to drive and about an hour on the train. That's why we wanted to invest in a parking garage, for what seemed to be the easier commute option.

What about Ardmore? Bryn Mawr? I believe those are pricer but maybe not as safe since they're closer to the city? Genuinely asking!

As others have said, each map site might be different. During covid-19 commute times by car have become a lot lower. For instance, if it says it takes 30 minutes right now, which is during covid-19 and a federal holiday, you can add 15 to 45 minutes on top of that once things go back to normal on a non-holiday. and it really depends on whether there is an accident that day.

[ha215]

Originally Posted by Wells5

I might suggest taking a 2nd look at New Jersey communities along the "PATCO High Speed Line." This is a very fast subway surface rail line into central Philly. You can't find a more inviting town than Haddonfield Borough originally settled by the Quakers. Haddon Township has single family homes for rent within your price range. See what your commute would be like eastbound out of Philly.





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Xz2KenLg9M

NJ is out of the question for now but thank you!

[ha215]

noted, thanks! I will re-calculate our budget if needed.

[ha215]

also noted, thank you. But they are def closer so worth looking into I guess

[ha215]

we hadn't looked into the city neighborhoods because we felt they might not be as family friendly/safe as the suburbs. Also apartments might be smaller/more congested. But I will do more research!

[lpranger467]

Delaware county has some beautiful towns with established downtowns like Media & Swarthmore (Media real estate is very hot). The areas of Delaware County that normally give the county a bad rap are more of the industrial cities along I-95.

We have some beautiful parks like Ridley Creek and (again) direct transit into center city via rail line. I would look at the cities I mentioned. Springfield/Havertown/Broomall are also very nice but dont have established downtown areas

Originally Posted by ha215

We were told to stay away from Delaware county and to focus on the other two but I am open to hearing your insight about it!

[ha215]

Nice! I will add these to our list. Swarthmore was one of our initial options.