Are there nice neighborhoods within walking distance to Media (downtown)? (Philadelphia: middle-class, rentals)

[Cold Up North]

We visited Media. Loved the downtown. Drove around a bit. We mostly saw duplexes right around the downtown and then some "mcmansion" type neighborhoods a few miles out. Is there anything in between? We were going to stop at a realtors but our kids were being awful having been in the car too long. Did we miss some nice middle class neighborhoods within walking distance to the town? We were really hoping Media was going to be the walkable town we were looking for.......

[solibs]

Originally Posted by Cold Up North

We visited Media. Loved the downtown. Did we miss some nice middle class neighborhoods within walking distance to the town?

Sounds to me like you looked right past them -

We mostly saw duplexes right around the downtown .......

and FYI - they're called "twins". A duplex is when you have two units in a single structure. A twin is two single-family homes that share a party wall.

[Cold Up North]

No doubt...we stayed at the quality inn...the first room had dirty sheets on the beds (really dirty, hair, stains yuck) the second room the tv was broken and the shower never drained....the third room had no fan or AC (it was very warm so we hardly slept at all)...needless to say with only a few hours sleep I'm sure we looked past many things!!!
What are some of the streets names that have single family homes that are within walking distance to the downtown? I have a map so I can better prepare for my next trip.....Thanks!!

[ovcatto]

Media has a downtown?

[solibs]

Ouch - yeah, i've seen that place. Can't say i've had the occasion to stay but thanks for the warning.

In any case, my point was that twins are the predominant housing style in Media as they are in many older towns throughout the delaware valley and that all of the middle-class people who live in Media would be quite surprised and insulted to hear that they didn't live in middle-class housing.

I think what you're looking for is a detached house. A twin is two single-family houses that share a party wall. It's an important distinction when you're looking for a house in a part of the country where rows and twins are just as common as singles. There are plenty of twins that are 2000 sq. ft. and up but if you don't want to share a wall with anyone that's understandable.

All that said there are too many streets to name- detached houses are pretty much everywhere just south of downtown - around the three train stations - Media, Moylan/Rose Valley and Wallingford. You'll also find them just north of downtown from about 6th St. and up, especially over towards Providence Rd. and beyond. Also, pretty much everywhere just east of downtown, on either side of Baltimore Ave.

[Cold Up North]

Certainly didn't mean to insult anyone! I am used to seeing "twins" that are usually rentals or townhouses or mainly in lower income areas! Had no idea that it was not the case in the areas we visited. That said, we personally would not want to share a wall with anyone. We are used to detached housing after so many years.... Next visit we will have to contact a realtor to get a better feel for the area. And yes, Media has a downtown! And it was awesome!

[ScottyG]

There is a website where you can find the selling price for "low-income" twins in Media, it is public record. A lot of twins in Media sell for over $500k+, it's not the house that is so expensive, but the land it sits on. Media is built out, there really isn't any place within the borough to build, hence the high prices for twins. The downtown isn't large, but it has a few nice restaurants and shops, and the borough has a ton of events throughout the year. Overall, I think, it is one of the best areas/locations to live within the Philadelphia Metro.