Moving from Jersey City, NJ (Media, Paoli: apartment, to rent, daycare)

[KACallDay]

I had wrote a previous post without many responses and was told by someone to give my preferences along with more direct info and maybe I could get more help.

I do what to move to a place similar to Jersey City with the same diversity and close to the city.

I plan to move the summer of 2012 because I would like a change of scenery, that has new and better surroundings for my son and I. Someplace that is diverse in race & religion, a liberal city with lots of culture.

I plan to rent an apartment or townhouse between $1100 and $1400. This would be in a neighborhood with people between the ages of early 20s to mid 30s. With basic services such as supermarket, drugstores and laundry close by and good schools too. My son is 2 years old so I would like a daycare area that is not too costly but teaches well.

Also, my career is important. I am a Fashion Management and Marketing graduate. I would love to have a position that I can grow from and not be stuck. Maybe as a costume designer or stylist, or even Marketing and Promotions. Even event planning.

Does anyone have any info of the towns or cities nearby that would fit me best?

[john_starks]

you got me w/the good schools. no clue. i think you can pull off 1400 in center city (i think). otherwise, i suggest northern liberties/queen village/bella vista/fairmount? urban hipsters abound

[FindingZen]

Philly is generally liberal with most suburbs being mildly conservative on average with some areas more culturally diverse than others.

With your preferred career direction, I agree with the idea of looking at Center City neighborhoods. Two of the better elementary schools in the city are located downtown - Greenfield and Meredith - so it's worth a look.

Also consider Mount Airy in NW Philly, possibly the most diverse and liberal neighborhood in town. Necessities may not be quite as convenient and you will have many folks in their 40s on up mixed in.

Outside the city, the Abington/Cheltenham area is one of the more diverse and relatively affordable suburbs and is about a 30-35 minute commute to Center City via commuter train. Schools may not quite have the reputation of those in or near the affluent "Main Line" communities in the NW 'burbs (e.g. Bryn Mawr, Wayne, Paoli) but the respective districts are far from slouches.

Media in the SW 'burbs may be worth a look as well. Not quite as diverse but convenient to necessities and a 25-minute commute downtown via train.

Overall, your budget range will likely have you looking at 2BR apts at best for relatively comfortable and convenient areas.

I am, of course, making the assumption that your the career options that you expressed are located in Center City (aka "downtown"). Unless you have established personal or alumni connections here, I'm guessing it will be easier to break into event planning than the fashion industry (which isn't the biggest IIRC).

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by Tone509

Media in the SW 'burbs may be worth a look as well. Not quite as diverse but convenient to necessities and a 25-minute commute downtown via train.

If one were to live in Media, would it be realistic to undertake train travel from there (e.g. small to medium sized suitcase onto the commuter line, then xfer at 30th St or other appropriate place to AMTRAK)?

Or do they frown on hauling baggage onto the commuter?