Considering a move to western Philly 'burbs (Pittsburgh, Lancaster: rental, condo)

[WhoIsStanwix?]

Right now, I live in Pittsburgh. For those that might be familiar, I live in Shadyside, a city neighborhood with urban amenities - walkable to bars, restaurants, groceries, etc. I am considering a possible relocation where my job would be located in Chesterbrook. I'm not a big suburban sprawl, one acre lot, etc. fan. I prefer walkable neighborhoods, but I know it won't be too convenient for me to live in the city proper and work in Chesterbrook. Still, I really want to live in an area where I can walk to do my daily activities, including a decent grocery, a beer store, a state store, and at least a few restaurants and bars. I'm used to a 4 mile commute here in Pittsburgh, which I would be willing to extend up to 10 miles, as long as it was in reverse direction. I also would like public transit access to the city, either walkable or a short drive/cab ride away. This is less important than walkablity of the actual neighborhood I live in. A bike-friendly neighborhood is also a big plus.

A bit more about me: I'm a guy who will be hitting 30 in the near future. My long term GF, a teacher, would likely move with me. She knows she probably won't find an elementary teaching job, we are ok with a daycare or something else part time for a while as employment for her. We are active, enjoying things such as stand up paddleboarding, running, biking, and walking to restaurants and bars.

Are there specific areas I should be looking? I would like to rent for a year, probably between $1700-2400 a month preferably for a 2 br condo or apt, and then eventually buy for $400-600k. I'm only really vaguely familiar with Manayunk and Conshohocken.

What areas should I be considering? Are there specific areas of these towns, if they fit the bill the best for me, that I should go after or avoid? Other concerns like substantially higher taxes in some areas relative to others?

[kidphilly]

Maybe Conshy actually

Also look at Bryn Mawr and Wayne

West Chester may be an option as well

Chesterbrook is a 20 minute drive from any of these all have decent Regional Rail proximity but not for commuting to Chester Brook best by car

There is the Schuylkill river and trail for biking and paddle boarding

The city comes with an additional 3% tax but by far the best active lifestyle

CC (Center City) is a tough commute to Chester Brook even at about 18 miles is hell on the roads and Chester Briook has no easy reverse transit options that are feasable

best of luck

Also maybe Phoenixville but at 30 would say Conshy to be honest walkable DT 10 mile (~20-30 minute commute driving) and good train access to Philly

The Schuylkill river trail is stellar for biking links with dedicated ROW trails of nearly 100 miles (from Center City to the mountains and options

[WhoIsStanwix?]

Just based on google maps, a few friends (I can't tell too many of my Philly friends because they work at my current employer), and hearsay, I figured Conshy would be one of the top choices. I am not too familiar with the lay of the land, do I want to be closer to the river? Are there streets used as common "dividers" for the areas that are more fitting to my description in terms of walkability? Surely it can't be that the entire town is walkable.

Also, any recommendations on best websites to search for a rental to start out in beyond the standard CL/padmapper?

[kidphilly]

Originally Posted by WhoIsStanwix?

Just based on google maps, a few friends (I can't tell too many of my Philly friends because they work at my current employer), and hearsay, I figured Conshy would be one of the top choices. I am not too familiar with the lay of the land, do I want to be closer to the river? Are there streets used as common "dividers" for the areas that are more fitting to my description in terms of walkability? Surely it can't be that the entire town is walkable.

Also, any recommendations on best websites to search for a rental to start out in beyond the standard CL/padmapper?

closer to Fayette and closer to the river in general

Wont be shadyside per say but ok

I might suggest one of the apt/condo buildings along the river to start get a lay of the land and maybe explore some other areas

The train runs along the river and Fayette is the main drag if that helps

so anything within say .5 miles of Fayette and the river is probably ok - not really any uber bad areas to speak of

Also 76 is pretty easy but will have traffic, both directions KOP is pretty busy as a job center and fridays back from ChesterBrook will be especially bad starting at like 3:30, manageable but longer than 10 minutes surely except best days and off hours

You could do Manayunk - but to me Manayunk is Philly light with Wage tax - probably 35-40 minutes commute fairly consistently to Chester Brook

And Manayunk is only say 10 minutes (maybe little more) closer on the rail line to Center City. Think the last train out is at around 1AM from Center City many flee to make the train when out


as an FYI
Schuylkill River Trail Map - Schuylkill River Trail

really a great biking trail and runs through Conshy - you actually can bike on dedicated ROW into chesterbrook

[kidphilly]

Another option and check with your employer would be Center city and reverse commute to say Paoli on regional rail. some places offer shuttles - would be probably closer to 60 minutes but if you can work a bit on the commute may also be feasible and give you the ability to live in CC. Driving is 60-70 minutes in general sometimes as good as 40 and sometimes as bad as 90 (or more) - Friday afternoons in summer (awful and shore traffic, yes all the way to KOP), Phillies game nights (always worse) etc.

CC would have many areas to choose from

I have commuted from CC to Plymouth Meeting (adjacent to KOP and Conshy) maybe a tad closer than Chesterbrook and can be a pain - I do calls when i need to do it and try to go off hours if possible

Would also check out Wayne and Bryn Mawr if you are coming in as a sanity check

[WhoIsStanwix?]

Very good info. I should add that I will definitely be visiting the area with my GF before making a final decision along with my offer, so I would like to be as efficient as possible in scouting likely living areas while we're around probably for a total of just a weekend.

[pman]

Manayunk is probably worth a look. It's an old milltown, there are lots of Pittsburghers there (maybe because of the steep hill). I'm not sure philly lite does it justice. The last train on Saturdays is 145 am. Conshy is also an old mill town though it's current feel is entirely different. I'd look at both. West chester is more removed but it does have a great town centerm

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by WhoIsStanwix?

Right now, I live in Pittsburgh. For those that might be familiar, I live in Shadyside, a city neighborhood with urban amenities - walkable to bars, restaurants, groceries, etc. I am considering a possible relocation where my job would be located in Chesterbrook. I'm not a big suburban sprawl, one acre lot, etc. fan. I prefer walkable neighborhoods, but I know it won't be too convenient for me to live in the city proper and work in Chesterbrook. Still, I really want to live in an area where I can walk to do my daily activities, including a decent grocery, a beer store, a state store, and at least a few restaurants and bars. I'm used to a 4 mile commute here in Pittsburgh, which I would be willing to extend up to 10 miles, as long as it was in reverse direction. I also would like public transit access to the city, either walkable or a short drive/cab ride away. This is less important than walkablity of the actual neighborhood I live in. A bike-friendly neighborhood is also a big plus.

A bit more about me: I'm a guy who will be hitting 30 in the near future. My long term GF, a teacher, would likely move with me. She knows she probably won't find an elementary teaching job, we are ok with a daycare or something else part time for a while as employment for her. We are active, enjoying things such as stand up paddleboarding, running, biking, and walking to restaurants and bars.

Are there specific areas I should be looking? I would like to rent for a year, probably between $1700-2400 a month preferably for a 2 br condo or apt, and then eventually buy for $400-600k. I'm only really vaguely familiar with Manayunk and Conshohocken.

What areas should I be considering? Are there specific areas of these towns, if they fit the bill the best for me, that I should go after or avoid? Other concerns like substantially higher taxes in some areas relative to others?

Hey Stan,

Manayunk is definitely worth considering (think Lawrenceville meets the South Side)--probably the most quasi-convenient option that's fairly similar to where you're living now. Either there or Conshy (depending on your commute tolerance) will probably be your best bet.

Wayne and Bryn Mawr are nice. Lancaster Avenue is a lot like (upper) Washington Road in that you have charming commercial/mixed use strips interspersed with more traditional postwar suburbia.

West Chester and Phoenixville are standalone towns with active scenes (West Chester especially) but much more off the beaten path relative to the City.

[kidphilly]

^^ on Manayunk vs Conshy Manayunk has a little more going on but also comes with an additional nearly 3% wage tax being inside the city limits

Just something to consider. For me personally if paying the additional 3% I would live in CC - much more active and one of the better urban environment in the country

Just some thoughts

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by kidphilly

^^ on Manayunk vs Conshy Manayunk has a little more going on but also comes with an additional nearly 3% wage tax being inside the city limits

Just something to consider. For me personally if paying the additional 3% I would live in CC - much more active and one of the better urban environment in the country

Just some thoughts

CC is pretty great, but I wouldn't wish a CC --> Chesterbrook commute on anybody.