Moving to Philly, commuting to South Jersey

[sjimsorry]

Thanks to all for the advice so far. I'm going to drive up to Collingswood today and check it out, then take PATCO into Philly and see how it goes. Honestly, at first glance a Collingswood commute doesn't look much better to me than the Philly commute does. I'd be looking at a 41 mile commute vs. a 45 mile commute in Philadelphia, and most of those miles would be on 676 going into NJ. I still need to try driving from Philly to work just to see how the commute really is.

Are there affordable renting options in Collingswood or Westmont? (Affordable to me means $750/month, tops)

At this point, I think my first priority is to try to find a job in Philadelphia or as close as possible, and if the time comes to move and I haven't found a Philly job yet, I will only do the commute for as long as it takes to find a closer job. Thanks again to all,

[Boompa]

Been there done that. I lived in Drexel Hill annd my job was transfered to Bridgeton. I commuted for several months but finally I gave up and got an Apartment there and rented my home to a relative.
If you don't already have a place in Philly don't put yourself through this. Find a place near the Commodore Barry that you can go either way without hitting city traffic

[DailyJournalist]

Originally Posted by sjimsorry

Honestly, at first glance a Collingswood commute doesn't look much better to me than the Philly commute does. I'd be looking at a 41 mile commute vs. a 45 mile commute in Philadelphia, and most of those miles would be on 676 going into NJ. I still need to try driving from Philly to work just to see how the commute really is.

The good thing about living in NJ and working in NJ is that you will not have to pay the Philadelphia wage tax. So that may be something you may also want to consider.

[Boompa]

Originally Posted by DailyJournalist

The good thing about living in NJ and working in NJ is that you will not have to pay the Philadelphia wage tax. So that may be something you may also want to consider.

Good point, that's a big chunk of change to be voluntarily giving away.
Where in Cumberland County. Vineland and Millville are both along 55 and comparitively easy compared to Bridgeton or Elmer which are easier from Delaware than Philly

[chessimprov]

Live in NJ or somewhere outside of downtown Philly. The extra expense in Philly is not worth it unless you have the time and money to enjoy the amenities. South Philly maybe, but downtown and NL, it's hard to find anything your price range, espec. without a roommate if you're renting. Philadelphia has given me trouble with taxes for several years for things that I ended up not having to pay for at all, but I had to fight for my money back. I don't think it's worth the potential hassle in your case.

[sjimsorry]

Collingswood is sounding like a really good option. I think that area is where I will end up (still have a few more months yet). After city wage tax, bridge tolls, and extra gas, I would be paying close to $300 just for the privilege of living in Philly. OUCH! Nevermind.

I've walked around Collingswood and the surrounding areas, taken PATCO into Philly, and I agree that this is my best bet. This gives me everything I'm looking for, but for substantially less. I'm not crazy about Collingswood being a dry town, but I would manage. I can find other ways to spend $300 a month. And, if I ever do take a job in the city, I will be at a much better location for commuting than where I am presently.

Thanks to everyone, to MR and others who originally suggested Collingswood. You were right.

[solibs]

Originally Posted by sjimsorry

I'm not crazy about Collingswood being a dry town, but I would manage.

I lived in Collingswood. It was only occasionally annoying that the town was dry. I lived right on Haddon Ave. and was used to getting just about everything within a few blocks of my house so it was annoying, when I didn't plan ahead, to have to go to Westmont to get beer. If I was going out drinking then it usually involved taking the train into the city.

I think apartments might be easier to come by in Collingswood but you might want to consider just moving to Westmont if you can find a place near the PATCO station there. There are a couple of bars on Haddon Ave. that are decent for a weeknight, watching the game type of place. I'm thinking PJs, Brewers and the relatively new Pour House.

I went to PJs and Brewers every once in a while (Brewers used to be called something else and the name escapes me right now) but I was always more city oriented. When I did go to those places I'd either walk (about 15 minutes from my place) or take the train depending on the weather and I'd walk, take a cab or the train to get home. It just depended on who I was with, how late it was and what the weather was like. When it's 1am sometimes it's easier to suck it up and walk 15 minutes in the cold than it is to wait 20 minutes for a train.