Center City with a car or the burbs? (Ardmore, Ridley Park: leasing, how much)

[cli4d36p]

I am relocating to Philly in a month with a car. (My work location will require me to have a car).

I am in my late 20's, professional, and single, so center city would be pretty good for me. I am worried about parking though. Are there any areas that are safe / nice and where parking is not a nightmare? What kinds of things should I know about having a car in the city (ie. paid parking, street parking rules, etc.)?

If not center city, I was thinking the burbs somewhere on the main line so I am a close train ride away if I wanted to head downtown.

Any suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks everyone!

[solibs]

Center City with a car is fine if you have money to lease a parking space.

You didn't tell us where you'll be working so it's hard to recommend a neighborhood with a convenient commute.

[cli4d36p]

I am working in Ridley Park, just southwest of the airport. My friend told me good suburbs would be Haverford, Wynnwood, Bryn Mawr, and Wayne. Another told me as far as having a car downtown I could find parking in Queen Village, Northern Liberties, and maybe the Art Museum Area. Do you mean leasing a spot in a lot or something like permit/street parking? How much would it cost? Thank you.

[solibs]

If you're working in Ridley Park and want to live in the city then anywhere near I-95 would be fine for you. I would look from Girard Ave. on south. Those are all good neighborhoods. Of course, the closer to center city you get the harder parking is going to be.

If you live in Center City or Queen Village you'll definitely have to get a parking permit right away - which will require a trip to DMV first. In other neighborhoods like Pennsport and Northern Liberties you don't need a permit. In some 'hoods down by the stadiums you do need a permit but a lot of those places have garages and driveways anyway - they just don't want people from the games cruising the neighborhoods looking for free parking.

Renting a parking space (that can be a private space or a commercial lot/garage) is all about supply and demand so it depends on the neighborhood but it's usually like $100-$150 a month. Check craigslist.

[Boompa]

I was going to say Ardmore or Bryn Mawr but Ridley is a better commute by car or train