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Old 05-29-2010, 01:47 AM
 
3 posts, read 4,859 times
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Do not rely on route 202, when commuting to KOP. That road is packed during rush hour...and I mean packed. You can find other routes kelly drive and such. I had an internship near King of Prussia mall and I lived in NE philly....it took at least twice as long than without traffic. I used to get the my job late most of the time haha, so I had to wake up like an hour early to make it on time.
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Old 05-31-2010, 09:00 AM
 
434 posts, read 1,307,480 times
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If you're going to consider the suburbs you might want to check out Media, PA too. It's got a cute downtown area with bars & restaurants. The commute to KoP would be about a half hour, and the R3 train line could get you into Center City in 25 minutes. Welcome Home: Media, PA

Living somewhere in Center City would certainly be the most fun option, but I know I would HATE that commute to KoP every day.
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Old 06-01-2010, 11:28 AM
 
24 posts, read 75,791 times
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Thank you everyone for all your help. Still not sure yet, but at least I have a better idea of what I would be getting into.

Thanks again
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Old 06-09-2010, 09:27 PM
 
7,302 posts, read 3,368,797 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StonyRoss View Post
Manayunk sounds like a little like Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Williamsburg and Manayunk couldn't be more incomaparable.

You will not find any 5 Borough equivalent to anything around here.

If you want stuff to do, try to stay local to the city. The only problem is that you will pay for this privilege with wage tax if you live within the city limits. Manayunk is VERY convenient to center city. It, or the neighboring east falls / roxborough area are probably the best place to live for easy access, without living in the much denser center city area.

Phoenixville is very exurban. You will socialize in that neighborhood if you move there, and your city jaunts will be far fewer.

My suggestion is to live in or near the city for the firts year or two. look in the University City, South Philly, or Manayunk East Falls areas for your apartment. They all have a very different feel, so come and check them out. Then, after the wage tax, the PPA, and the general stress gets to you after a few years, you can go more suburban.
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Old 06-10-2010, 11:16 AM
 
203 posts, read 559,535 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by newmarlig View Post
If you decide on CC - I would stick to the Art Museum area.
This will help. I commuted out past KOP and coming and leaving from the Art Museum area was a big help.

commute time is all about when you leave. At 7 am or so there is little traffic.
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Old 06-11-2010, 11:13 AM
 
24 posts, read 75,791 times
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I am really confused about Manayunk. The location seems like it would be a good commute, and I have read there is a good amount of stuff to do. However, no other town in Philly seems to be more loved/hated.

I understand it has a young, post-college bar scene, but does that make it so bad? Some people on here think Manayunk is great, while others advise to avoid it like the plague. It seems like a safe neighborhood. I am not crazy about the row homes, but some of them look nice when they are fixed up. Main street looks like it has a lot going on.

Still thinking about East Falls as well. Can you get a nice place with parking for around $1300?

What's the deal with all the apartments wanting 1st, last months rent, plus security deposit? That's a lot of cash outlay upfront? Is everyone strict about that?

Thanks again!
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Old 06-11-2010, 11:30 AM
 
1,623 posts, read 6,506,505 times
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I think Manayunk was once the hot place to be but has faded as Northern Liberties and Fishtown etc have come up. Add to that the young drunks, hilly terrain and gruff locals and I just think the pretty people think it's "played out" similar to how fashions change.

The rowhomes there can be beautiful but your neighbors may be jerks, your car will probably get dinged up and winters are a nightmare because of the extreme slopes of the place and few points of ingress/egress.

I still say move somewhere like Conshy or Phoenixville and save the city for nights and weekends...just a less stressful way to live.
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Old 06-11-2010, 01:14 PM
 
7,302 posts, read 3,368,797 times
Reputation: 4812
Quote:
Originally Posted by StonyRoss View Post
I am really confused about Manayunk. The location seems like it would be a good commute, and I have read there is a good amount of stuff to do. However, no other town in Philly seems to be more loved/hated.

I understand it has a young, post-college bar scene, but does that make it so bad? Some people on here think Manayunk is great, while others advise to avoid it like the plague. It seems like a safe neighborhood. I am not crazy about the row homes, but some of them look nice when they are fixed up. Main street looks like it has a lot going on.

Still thinking about East Falls as well. Can you get a nice place with parking for around $1300?

What's the deal with all the apartments wanting 1st, last months rent, plus security deposit? That's a lot of cash outlay upfront? Is everyone strict about that?

Thanks again!
Really, the only way to know is to check it out for yourself. From the sound of it, I dont think you will mind Manayunk at all. I could live there, and I have an aversion to neighborhoods that would be too extreme either way. Manayunk isn't very big. Its more like a hamlet. You will get a feel for it very quickly.

There are a lot of late 20's and 30's people there too. Its a very well kept neighborhood with relatively low crime, expecially compared to the Fishtown or NoLibs areas which were previously mentioned. Dont let anyone tell you that these latter two neighborhoods have insignificant crime, because its not insignificant by a long shot. A woman was just dragged off of her bicycle, raped, and murdered last week in NoLibs. That being said, I could live there, but ou definately have to be more alert when living directly North, South or West of Center City.

Manyaunk is much more gentrified, but still offers some decent housing options away from the main street (up the hill). You daily stress should be lower in Manayunk.

If your the hipster type, go to University City, NoLibs or Fishtown to be around other Hipsters. If not, I think Manayunk or East Falls is the best bet. If you want the shortest direct access to center city, without living in it then South Philly, University City or NoLibs.

Even Roxborough, which is just a little further up the hill and will have A LOT more rental options than Manayunk or East Falls. Manyaunk and center city are a short drive away.

Hell, if you have the rent money, look to live in Center City proper. Its probably worth looking into. Look west of Broad Street between Chestnut and Lombard. There are A LOT of living options in that area. It depends how much room you want and how much you can afford. Theres also Chinatown for a convenient and relatively safe area to live.

Last edited by golgi1; 06-11-2010 at 01:23 PM..
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Old 06-11-2010, 07:59 PM
 
2,526 posts, read 2,640,365 times
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There's a luxurious apartment complex off of Ridge Ave. in East Falls where parking is guaranteed. I think it was about $1500 when I was in that area a few years ago. It may be up a bit from that. There's apartments off of Scotts Lane near Ridge Ave. you might be able to consider that probably offer parking too.
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Old 06-12-2010, 08:08 AM
 
Location: The City
22,379 posts, read 38,702,913 times
Reputation: 7975
I just read through your questions.

A couple of things: Manyunk is a little younger than other areas of Philly. i tend to think of this as a just graduated transitional area (25-30).

If you want city life move downtwon, Manyunk is in the middle but you will still have to pay the 4% city wage tax.

West Chester has a cool little downtown but further out, much harder to go out in the city but that will depend on what you are looking for.

Areas of CC that you may want to look at given your price range include (Art Museum, Northern Liberties, Queen Village, Wash Sq West, Rittenhouse, Old City)
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