Nice towns near Bala Cynwyd, PA (Philadelphia, Drexel Hill: apartment complexes, for rent, crime)

[anandks42]

Hi,

I am likely to move to PA shortly. My office would be in Bala Cynwyd, PA. I would like to know which cities are safe near here where I will be able to get a good apartment for rent? I would prefer being in an area where crime is less even if the community is not happening for young people. I am willing to commute around 30-45 minutes at the maximum. I don't need to be close to Philadelphia city.

Thanks for your advice.

Anand

[orrmobl]

Start in Bala Cynwyd and work your way out. Don't know about crime in Bala but it is definitely city living. Further out places like Wynnewood, Narberth, Lower Merion, Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Haverford, Havertown, Drexel Hill, Springfield, Media, Wallingford, Swarthmore.

The last 6 should be less expensive than the others as they are on the Main Line.

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by orrmobl

Start in Bala Cynwyd and work your way out. Don't know about crime in Bala but it is definitely city living. Further out places like Wynnewood, Narberth, Lower Merion, Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Haverford, Havertown, Drexel Hill, Springfield, Media, Wallingford, Swarthmore.

The last 6 should be less expensive than the others as they are on the Main Line.

For the OP, it's true that parts of Bala are literally on the city line (hence the City Line Avenue where you'll probably be working on) but further into the town and onto Lower/Upper Merion you'll be fine.

The first six that orrmobl mentioned would be the most convenient but would indeed take more out of your budget than the last half-dozen.

[ThatGuyOverThere]

I am moving to Bala Cynwyd and it is very safe (check the crime stats on the Lower Merion police site if you want to confirm, but tons of families with small children), with apartment complexes on City Ave, and beautiful old single-family homes starting a block or two up from City Ave. Great schools, 15 minutes to Center City, some nice shopping, a new bike path (soon), and nice homes, though they can be pricey. Otherwise, anywhere in Lower Merion would be easy access, though not cheap.

[IlDestriero]

Bala Cynwyd itself might be a good choice for you. From what I have seen, it seems like a safe area. That being said, I think that the further you get from City Line Ave, the less likely that you are to run into problems. A few blocks in on the other side of city line gets pretty seedy pretty fast. There are a number of apartments, etc a few miles up from City Line in the area of Villanova, Haverford, Bryn Mawr and Harcum Colleges. If you are very concerned about crime, it might be better for you to get an apartment in a converted house or small development as you are probably less likely to have you or your vehicle targeted than if in a larger complex with a larger parking lot.