Relocation advice for new college graduate (Philadelphia, Reading: for rent, home, salary)

[kkdent]

Hello,

I am relocating to the Philadelphia area this summer after graduation. I will be working in Norristown and need some advice as to where young professionals live in that area. I enjoy music, eating, festivals etc. I will be on a limited budget, no more than $900/month for rent. Thanks in advance for your advice!

[BPP1999]

Manayunk would be great, but it's in Philadelphia so your salary would be subject to the city wage tax of about 3.928%. It's also a 1/2 hr or so drive from Manayunk to Norristown. There are lots of young professionals in Manayunk but many of them work in the city and take the train to their jobs.

Check out Conshohocken. Not urban and not a huge amount going on, but it has its share of bars and restaurants, and there are lots of young professionals living there. Not just a few but lots, and they live right along side the lifers who've been there for 50 years. Conshohocken (or Conshy, as some call it) is about a 1/2 hr drive to Center City Philadelphia (which is about 12-13 miles away) and about 20 minutes from Manayunk. You could also take the train to CC. Depending on where you live in Conshohocken you could walk to the train station but at most the Conshohocken or Spring Mill Stations would be a 5-minute drive.

[RightonWalnut]

I'd say Manayunk or Conshohocken. Personally I would choose Manayunk because city life is more my thing, and I would eat the 3.9% wage tax just to live there and have the great nightlife that Manayunk offers with great public transit to Center City. Conshohocken is a good choice (although not as great as Manayunk) though if you don't want to pay the wage tax.

[frankgn87]

Originally Posted by Summersm343

I'd say Manayunk or Conshohocken. Personally I would choose Manayunk because city life is more my thing, and I would eat the 3.9% wage tax just to live there and have the great nightlife that Manayunk offers with great public transit to Center City. Conshohocken is a good choice (although not as great as Manayunk) though if you don't want to pay the wage tax.

I would not eat the wage tax and live just outside Manayunk and still enjoy it just as much for 4% less

[RightonWalnut]

Originally Posted by frankgn87

I would not eat the wage tax and live just outside Manayunk and still enjoy it just as much for 4% less

Have fun driving into the city to party and driving home at night

[kkdent]

Thanks for your response. Is there a train or public transportation between Manayunk and Conshohoken?

[frankgn87]

Originally Posted by Summersm343

Have fun driving into the city to party and driving home at night

Driving to the Yunk? No problem. Done it a million times.. Beats walking home in the winter

[BPP1999]

Originally Posted by kkdent

Thanks for your response. Is there a train or public transportation between Manayunk and Conshohoken?

Yes they are both along the former R6 (Norristown Line). Manayunk and Conshohocken stations are a 20-minute ride apart, max. If you are a biker they are also connected via the Schuylkill River Trail, which follows the old Pennsylvania Railroad line (which basically ran parallel to and in plain sight of the old Reading RR line that is now the R-6).

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by frankgn87

I would not eat the wage tax and live just outside Manayunk and still enjoy it just as much for 4% less

Originally Posted by Summersm343

I'd say Manayunk or Conshohocken. Personally I would choose Manayunk because city life is more my thing, and I would eat the 3.9% wage tax just to live there and have the great nightlife that Manayunk offers with great public transit to Center City. Conshohocken is a good choice (although not as great as Manayunk) though if you don't want to pay the wage tax.

Frank, you're also a (40?)-something with a family. I (along with most other young, unmarried people) am with summers on this one. But Conshy's a decent suburban alternative. If the OP is open to considering the suburbs in general, Ardmore or Bryn Mawr would be worth considering, too.

[KansastoSouthphilly]

Originally Posted by frankgn87

Driving to the Yunk? No problem. Done it a million times.. Beats walking home in the winter

I prefer to avoid driving if I am going to be consuming (even a little bit) of alchohol. Thats just me though.