Abington to Center City commute (York, Easton: appointed, homes, living in)

[maestro]

just a couple of quick questions:

-- how long of a commute during rush hour?
-- is 611 the best/only way to get there?
-- suggest SEPTA or is driving OK?

[maf763]

Septa regional rail is definitely easier - roughly a half hour or so, depending on the station. There is no really direct driving route other than 611/Broad Street which is a ton of traffic and a ton of lights. On a good day you might make it in 45 minutes, again depending on the part of Abington you're in, but that would be an exception.

[FindingZen]

Having grown up in Abington, I agree with everything that maf763 says here.

Originally Posted by maf763

Septa regional rail is definitely easier - roughly a half hour or so, depending on the station. There is no really direct driving route other than 611/Broad Street which is a ton of traffic and a ton of lights. On a good day you might make it in 45 minutes, again depending on the part of Abington you're in, but that would be an exception.

[maestro]

how's parking around the Abington-area SEPTA stops?

Also -- do most folks take SEPTA since the traffic situation stinks? Do you think this hurts Abington in the "desirability" factor?

[FindingZen]

Depending on the defintion, Abington-area stops would include: Willow Grove, Crestmont, Roslyn, Glenside, Noble, and Jenkintown-Wyncote. All but Crestmont have decent parking. Jenkintown-Wyncote has the most but it does serve three routes.

I think that people in general who take SEPTA Regional Rail trains downtown probably feel that the stress of driving and the expense of limited Center City parking is worth the fare.

I feel that having five stations within a few miles of each other actually helps Abington. If anything hurts, it's that it's an older bedroom community of half-acre (or less) homes with two trafficky main thoroughfares (Old York Road and Easton Road). Those who prefer bucolic rolling hills leading up to shiny new one-acre-plus properties would be disappointed.

Originally Posted by maestro

how's parking around the Abington-area SEPTA stops?

Also -- do most folks take SEPTA since the traffic situation stinks? Do you think this hurts Abington in the "desirability" factor?

[maestro]

do a lot of people take SEPTA from that area, or do most folks weather the traffic?

[BPP1999]

I think it's safe to say that a majority of people living in the Abington area and working in Center City take SEPTA. I don't know why anyone would drive every day from Abington, even if you are only going 11-12 miles to Center City. When I lived in Glenside I walked to the station; I almost never drove.

[bryson662001]

Originally Posted by BPP1999

I think it's safe to say that a majority of people living in the Abington area and working in Center City take SEPTA. I don't know why anyone would drive every day from Abington, even if you are only going 11-12 miles to Center City. When I lived in Glenside I walked to the station; I almost never drove.

A lot probably depends on if you have a place to put your car once you get to center city. Isn't there a bus to Olney or Fern Rock subway stop also?

[maestro]

is there a parking fee for parking at the SEPTA lots in Abington?

[FindingZen]

It's usually $1 on weekdays. Don't forget SEPTA as a good resource for transit questions.