Potential Job Relocation (North of Wilmington, no SEPTA: apartment, rent, condo) (Philadelphia: cheap apartments, how much)

[anemoneya]

I'm evaluating a new job offer and hoping to get some information to help me decide whether to accept/decline or try to negotiate a bit. I like the new job by itself, but I may have to reject it if I can't find a place to live where I can maintain similar lifestyle at similar costs.

Current: 125k base+15k bonus in Boston suburb. $1650 550 sqft studio with assigned parking and doorman in bit old but well maintained elevator building (condo). 25 min drive or 40 min walk/train to work and downtown Boston. Lot of (Korean) food option nearby and very safe to walk around even at 2 am

New job: 130k base+0k bonus (one time 10k signing). Safety is big concern but want to be not too far away from work and restaurants.

New salary could be better with COL adjustment if I live near work but maybe not so much if I try to meet all criteria. If there is an option but it's over my budget, I can try to negotiate my salary. I've looked at these places so far and would like to learn more about areas closer to Philly, perhaps apartment name as well:

Concord Mall area, DE: close to work, restaurants, couple of luxury apartments but terrible ratings/complaints
Media, PA: Ok commute (30min?), restaurants nearby, 20 min drive to Korean restaurants, few nice apartments around/over my budget - Wish it's cheaper without SEPTA proximity
Claymont, DE: Cheap apartments, close to work, safety concerns, not a lot of restaurant options.

Thank you in advance, and please ask any clarifying questions you have.

1. When are you moving?
Might start looking for a place next week and move in by end of Jan to mid-Feb.

2. Where are you coming from?
Brookline, MA. Close suburb of Boston.

3. Why are you moving?
Job

4. Where will you be working?
Near 400 Bellevue Pkwy, Wilmington, DE 19809. No SEPTA access. Few minute drive to north of Wilmington.

5. Have you been here yet?
Interned in Downtown Wilmington before. Not familiar with Philly.

6. Will you buy or rent?
Rent

7. If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend?
Apartment(studio to one bed), 1700 including parking - can go higher if I negotiate the salary

8. Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up?
Hi-rise but not necessary in suburb

9. Do you have a preference of living in a NJ or PA suburb?
(If you answered NJ - post your answers here: //www.city-data.com/forum/new-j...-philadelphia/)
No preference

10. Are you married or single? Do you have children?
Single, no children

11. Do you have pets?
No

12. Do you want or need a yard?
No

13. Are you keeping a car?
Yes, and I need parking and need a car to commute

14. Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet?
No strong preference

15. What do you want to be closest to?
Work
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.)

16. Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood?
No preference as long as it's safe neighborhood

17. Favorite Beverage - Craft Beer, wine, water?
Craft beer all the way

[Flyers Girl]

Perhaps West Chester, PA, but you would definitely want to find back ways to work as Route 202 can often be as soul-crushing at the Schuylkill Expressway. Have you posted your questions in the Delaware forum too?

[Mayvenne]

I was also thinking West Chester. Agree that you would want backroads to work, but all in all it's very very doable time wise /distancewise and although it's not Philly , I think it gives everything else you want. Housing wise you will be thrilled. West Chester, Kennett Square, the surrounding areas.

[1ondoner]

I think 202 into Delaware is much better than getting stuck on I-476 (or the dreaded I-76). That said, OP can try out the apartments on route 92 which are mostly Edgemoor surburbs while they figure out their tolerance for traffic.

Originally Posted by Flyers Girl

Perhaps West Chester, PA, but you would definitely want to find back ways to work as Route 202 can often be as soul-crushing at the Schuylkill Expressway. Have you posted your questions in the Delaware forum too?

[Patmcpsu]

It depends on what kind of a "scene" you're looking for. Do you want to be able to walk to bars/restaurants? Is driving/ubering to places like that OK? Do you want to be around twenty-somethings or middle aged people and families?

Here are the first thoughts that comes to mind:

• West Chester (PA) - Half college town, half well-off suburb. Cute town with a decent bar/restaurant scene. You would need to commute to/from work via Route 202, which gets lots of traffic during rush hour (for the same reason, I would avoid living along 202). Traffic aside, it's a cool enough town that it's still worth recommending.
• Kennett Square (PA) - Smaller scale version of West Chester without the college or the county courthouse. Not as many twentysomethings or apartments either. Commute would be a half-hour, mostly along Route 52 which is beautiful.
• Trolley Square (Wilmington, DE) - Its bars are popular with University of Delaware students and recent grads, but also has amenities that are more geared to middle-aged people. I consider it to be the trendiest part of Wilmington (that's not saying much, though).
• Wilmington Riverfront (Wilmington, DE) - It's all somewhat new but feels astroturfed. It wants to be trendy and it is to some regard, especially when it's nice out. Would be able to walk to minor league baseball games.
• Christiana Mall's surrounding area (DE) - Very "suburban sprawly"; not walkable and most restaurants are chains (it does have trendy cutting-edge chains though), but it is practical and a good value.
• Newark (DE) - Primarily a college town (where University of Delaware is located), but it also attracts a snotty middle aged crowd.

As a general rule of thumb, the nicer parts in PA are more expensive than the nicer parts of Delaware. This is primarily because PA public schools are better, which draws families there. If you don't have kids, I consider Delaware to be a better value.

[Jsd8675]

Trolley Square, Wilmington
Media
West Chester

There are a few Korean places around Wilmington. The big Korean enclave is in Montgomery County (north of Philadelphia,) and also across the river in Jersey.

Philadelphia is the most Korean option, but would give you a 30 minute commute to North Wilmington.

Parking is a nightmare in Philadelphia, so fair warning. Lots of towing, and tickets, if you find a spot.
City of Wilmington is easy for parking. They ticket but don't generally tow.

[southbound_295]

Look at the places that are already mentioned. Include looking around Salem and Logan in South Jersey. If you find a place in South Jersey you'll do most shopping in Delaware and around the Deptford Mall. Going up to the Cherry Hill area gets you H-Mart and some Korean restaurants.

[startingalloveragain]

I am also hoping to move to Wilmington in the near future for family. The Riverfront area has some new building going on and a nice walkway, it seems. There is a Planet Fitness there, too. I would be using the gym at different hours and am hoping I won’t feel unsafe leaving the gym in the evening. What do you think?

[Wells5]

Moving to the Wilmington area or the Philly burbs will be a letdown after living in Brookline. Stay where you are.

[thedirtypirate]

Originally Posted by wells5

moving to the wilmington area or the philly burbs closer to wilimington will be a letdown after living in brookline. Stay where you are.

ftfy