Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
OP, if you're considering PHL as a hub you would do well to consider Delaware as home base. The northern edge bordering PA is beautiful (Brandywine Valley, stomping grounds of artists like Andrew Wyeth) in/around Hockessin and North Wilmington. Delaware doesn't have the archaic liquor laws like PA either (weird laws/system). It's an easy 30 minute drive to/from PHL.The DE beaches are generally much nicer/cleaner than NJ with places like Lewes and Dewey Beach 90 minutes away also. If you want to schlep into Philly for the day you can hop on one of the very frequent Amtrak trains in Downtown Wilmington for as little as $13 each way for the 20 minute trip to 30th Street Station, which is walkable into Center City Philly.
That is completely false. Ive been to both and live in NJ right now. NJ is more built up, yes.
But the beaches in Jersey are not dirty? Idk where people get this from. Maybe Wildwood or Seaside?
OP, NJ beaches are stunning. DE beaches are nice too.
OP, if you're considering PHL as a hub you would do well to consider Delaware as home base. The northern edge bordering PA is beautiful (Brandywine Valley, stomping grounds of artists like Andrew Wyeth) in/around Hockessin and North Wilmington
Yeah, Delaware is popular with retirees due to its favorable tax regime. PHL airport is south of Center City Philadelphia, and so's Delaware - so traffic is usually more predictable. Chester County, on the Pennsylvania side of the Brandywine valley, is equally scenic.
Charlottesville and Staunton VA are other ideas if IAD is an option - both lovely towns in the mountains, but not far from the coast. Straight shot from Charleston WV via I-64 or Amtrak.
If the OP's airline has a base in Philadelphia, I'm guessing he works for American Airlines. In which case, Philadelphia would be a good choice. The Pennsylvania side has some rolling hills, whereas New Jersey and Delaware are pretty flat. All of them are nicely forested.
American also has a base in Charlotte, which also is heavily forested and has rolling hills. There are some decent mountains not too far to the west. Charlotte to Charleston, WV is a 4 hour 15 minute drive, straight up the scenic Interstate 77. Philadelphia to Charleston is about a 7 hour 30 minute drive. American Airlines offers nonstop service between Charleston and Charlotte. To get to Philadelphia, you have to change planes . . . in Charlotte.
Overall, considering all of the factors that are important to the OP, I think that Charlotte would be his best bet. Philadelphia would work also, and I would rank it as a second choice.
Thank you, it's not the AA, but thank you very much for your suggestions. I'll be coming over to Philly next week, so I plan to spend a day driving around several suburban neighborhoods to get the feel for the place.
Dom
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
