Moving to Villanova without car, Need help. (Philadelphia, Lancaster: apartment, rent)

[VillU2011]

Hi,

I am moving to Villanova to pursue graduate school. I will not be taking my car (expenses/insurance). I have searched through these forums but have not found a location where a graduate student can live without a car. I would prefer to live near campus. Furthermore, the main things I am looking for are to be near the R (train) so that I can ride to school or be within walking distance. Also, equally important is safety and convenience to grocery stores. Final criteria would be somewhat affordable: 750ish for studio/1broom Do any locals know where to search or what places I should be living at. I appreciate all your help.

Thank You.

[solibs]

I don't spend a lot of time reading posts from other cities on here but is "safety" a universal, primary concern? Or is it unique to people posting on the Philadelphia page?

The Main Line (where Villanova is) is a collection of some of the wealthiest suburbs in the country and certainly in Pennsylvania. Safety is not an issue.

The train is the R5. The Route 100 is a light rail line that runs past the campus. It connects with the subway in Philly on one end and with the R6 train up in Norristown. There's also a bus on Lancaster Ave. that runs fairly frequently (and right through Villanova).

I would check out downtown Ardmore and Bryn Mawr. You won't need a car in either place and when you get bored with the local offerings it's a 20 minute train ride to Center City. Narberth is also worth checking out.

Really, anywhere along the R5 or Route 100 will be suitable but, obviously, if you're in one of the downtowns you can walk to the grocery store and the other shops, restaurants, bars, etc and it will make life a lot easier.

[bryson662001]

Most familys in Villinova have extra cars for the use of the help. Maybe you can borrow one.

[toobusytoday]

Did you look here? http://www.villanova.edu/studentlife/reslife/offcampus/ (broken link)

[FindingZen]

People have summed it up pretty well. Safety won't be an issue at all. Your rent maximum might be slightly low. Lancaster Ave (aka Rt. 30) is the main drag through all the neighboring Main Line towns and you should be able to get all of your necessities via the #105 bus that travels that street, essentially mimicing the R5 train. Ideally you'll also make friends that you can on grocery runs with.

[VillU2011]

How much does Ardmore and Bryn Mawr run?

[bryson662001]

www.4wallsinphilly.com
www.apartmentguide.com
www.realtor.com using the "rent" option
www.rent.com
Use 19010 as a base to start from.
Also Craigs List will have less expensive listings but they make it so hard to use because they aren't segregated geographicly.

[dimarc48]

Originally Posted by VillU2011

How much does Ardmore and Bryn Mawr run?

You are talking about some of the nicest and most expensive towns in the Philadelphia area. I grew up in Springfield Delaware County, a very nice, and I would say perfect town, and the towns you are talking about make us look like poor people.

If you do not come from a lot of money, check around. There are places near Bryn Mawr hospital that are not as expensive.

As a home inspector once put it to me, the only zip code with no bad area, is Villanova.