Job in Oaks, live in City Center? (Philadelphia, Reading: apartment, for rent)

[TXChristian]

Considering a job opportunity in Oaks, PA. Coming from a small town in Texas we wanted to, at least temporarily, try city living. How much time would it take to travel from CC to Oaks? Would you have to drive or is there public transportation to that area? What safe, affordable area is near the Terminal Market we hear so many good things about? ($1,200 or less for a 2/1). Thank you for your time!

[newmarlig]

Originally Posted by TXChristian

Considering a job opportunity in Oaks, PA. Coming from a small town in Texas we wanted to, at least temporarily, try city living. How much time would it take to travel from CC to Oaks? Would you have to drive or is there public transportation to that area? What safe, affordable area is near the Terminal Market we hear so many good things about? ($1,200 or less for a 2/1). Thank you for your time!

First, FYI, it's center city, not city center. Your job in Oaks is about 25 miles from center city and you really would have to drive. If you decide you want to do that (and to me living in center city is worth it), the areas around the Reading Terminal Market are all safe. Washington Square West is a place to start. Here are some listings from Craigslist.

philadelphia craigslist > apts/housing for rent: search for "washington square west"

You will have to pay for parking, which can be expensive.

Another area you may want to consider is West Mt. Airy. It's not center city, but it is still city living. Here is a description of that area.

West Mt. Airy Neighbors - Moving to Mt. Airy

Good luck.

[rainrock]

If you live in Center City you will not need a car, its very burdensome-parking is either impossible to find or very expensive.

I have a friend in a similar position. He lives in Center City but works out in Plymouth Meeting(near Oaks) What he does is, park his car overnight at the train station in Conshohocken and basically just uses the car to get back and forth from the train station to his worksite(a couple miiles away). Jumps on the train to go back to Center City. This way he still has a car in the area if he wants to take a trip to the Pocono Mts. the beach, or NYC etc. but doesn't have the costly hassle of finding parking in Center City.

Center City is a fabulous area to experiment with city living. Rittenhouse Square,Fitler Square,Queens Village,Bella Vista,Old City,Art Museum,Spring Garden, University City are all great options.

Good luck.

Oaks is a very nice area. The nearest train station would probably be Norristown.

[Will Kelly]

Oaks is quite a commute from Center City. Even if you do Rainrock's car trick, you will still have at least a 15 to 20 minute drive from the station to Oaks. You will also pay a city wage tax for residing in Philadelphia. I lived in Philly for 7 years and miss it greatly. If I were you I would try for an apartment outside of the city and use the savings to go into town and fun on a regular basis.

All the best.

[oliver0729]

i currently work in oaks and have several employees in our location that take public...for the people telling you not to get a car - you need it. the bus takes close to 2 hours and requires at least one transfer, most people in our location have 2 transfers to get to Oaks.

the drive varies a lot depending on the time of day. coming to Oaks at 6am and leaving by 4pm, its not bad, anything after 6am and after 4pm can add 30+ minutes each way, 5pm and you should just wait

have you considered manyunk or consh?