Subway Safety, Suburb Commutes and Happening Churches (Erie, Chester: transfer to, school)

[PAmama]

Hi again. A few questions:
-Is the subway safe to ride during typical business hours? (early morning and perhaps around 6pm at night). My husband would probably be riding the Broad St. Line, let's say from Center City to Broad and Erie, by Temple Med School.
-Is there any easy public transportation commute from suburbs like West Chester, Media, or Swarthmore to Temple Med/Hospital that don't take longer than 15-20min?
-Are there any churches in downtown Philly, specifically maybe Center City, that have a reputation for being alive and active (versus, say dead and not very exciting), maybe even with some young, college age people involved?

By the way, I'm getting very excited about our potential relocation to Philly. You all have been such a big help to me and the more I hear about your city, the more excited I get.
Thanks!

[newmarlig]

Originally Posted by PAmama

Hi again. A few questions:
-Is the subway safe to ride during typical business hours? (early morning and perhaps around 6pm at night). My husband would probably be riding the Broad St. Line, let's say from Center City to Broad and Erie, by Temple Med School.

He will be fine those times of day

-Is there any easy public transportation commute from suburbs like West Chester, Media, or Swarthmore to Temple Med/Hospital that don't take longer than 15-20min?
Not really because he would have to first come into center city to take the subway. There is no other transportation to Temple Hospital (other than a very slow bus ("C bus") that travels on Broad Street).-

Are there any churches in downtown Philly, specifically maybe Center City, that have a reputation for being alive and active (versus, say dead and not very exciting), maybe even with some young, college age people involved?

Any particular religion? I am Jewish, so I have no churches to recommmend. However, there are lots of them in center city (ranging from very liberal to very conservative), so you won't have a problem selecting one.

By the way, I'm getting very excited about our potential relocation to Philly. You all have been such a big help to me and the more I hear about your city, the more excited I get.
Thanks!

Great, glad to hear it. Good luck to you

[leighland]

If you are looking for active evangelical big churches like on the West Coast, you won't find them here. Most of the churches are old and established

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by PAmama

-Is there any easy public transportation commute from suburbs like West Chester, Media, or Swarthmore to Temple Med/Hospital that don't take longer than 15-20min?

From those locations, it would take at least 45 minutes to drive, let alone take public transportation. If a smooth mass transit commute is a priority, then, from the choices you list, you would want to consider Swarthmore or Media over West Chester. The first two are on the R3 Regional Rail line. Looking at the schedule (which you can find at septa.org), it would take you about 35 minutes from Swarthmore or 40 minutes from Media to get to Suburban Station where you would transfer to the northbound Broad Street Line. From there, it's probably another 15 minute ride.

Welcome to Philly!

[maf763]

From the suburbs you could take a train to Fern Rock and switch to the Broad Street line to Temple Hospital. Jenkintown to Fern Rock is less than 10 minutes, then another ten or so on the subway.

[FindingZen]

That's true, maf763! Living north of the city in some of the closer-in Montgomery County suburbs near the "V" border would cut down on the commute time.

[rainrock]

Originally Posted by PAmama

-Is there any easy public transportation commute from suburbs like West Chester, Media, or Swarthmore to Temple Med/Hospital that don't take longer than 15-20min?

Thanks!

West Chester wouldnt work if commute time is a priority. Media would be your best bet in that group. Swarthmore is the closest of the 3 but is more of a residential community. Media has a nice little downtown area with everything you need. Surrounded by malls, big box outlets, and fabulous Ridley Creek State Park. etc.

[newmarlig]

I did forget about the Fern Rock station of the Broad Street subway line. There is the 70 bus from parts of northeast Philly that will take you to that station. The trip would be longer than you are looking for though.