Philly suburbs to Philly proper/East Falls (neighborhoods, to live in)

[cheesesteak12921]

Hi readers,

I'm a single mid 20's white female from the Philly suburbs. Have worked and been a student in CC, Fairmount, West Philly, and the Temple U area for a few years so am comfortable with those areas and neighbors of all walks; also am pretty familiar with Philly geography, transportation, entertainment around there. Am now looking to move as starting a job in East Falls near the Boulevard. I'd love some advice about what would work in terms of neighborhood culture/rent/car in NW Philly.

I'm pretty low key but also am looking to get out of the suburbs and live in a more active place. Ideally, I'd want to live in or near the heart--in Fairmount, Northern Liberties, West Philly, Graduate Hospital since there's more going on, museums, parks, restaurants, bars, and it's walkable. I'd like to spend no more than 500-600/mo on an apt (and yes I know I'd need roommates unless studios or 1 br's in that price range exist anywhere--doubtful).

The job is on the fringes of Hunting Park/North Philly in East Falls; SEPTA options to general job location abound (Queen Lane RR station, buses, etc)--all require a 15-20 minute walk and am a little unsure about the safety of the walk in the day or evening. If those uncertainties are legit, I'd like to have a car. Practically, distance and parking-wise, East Falls, Mount Airy, or Manayunk (maybe I know parking's a pain there) would be good options. But the two former seem very residential and while Manayunk seems nice--still isolated from Center City and you have to spend a fortune for a RR ticket or metered/lot parking.

Ideal world: I have affordable rent, can park a car to get to work, am near enjoyable things. Likely all of these might not all be possible.

So, expert residents, what are your thoughts about neighborhoods listed or other options? Thanks for the tips.

Go flyers.

[niceguy19125]

Given the fact the area you're going to be working in is somewhat dicey in terms of walking any kind of a distance, I would opt for the car option. That said, many of the areas mentioned are a nightmare in terms of keeping a car (Manayunk, Fairmount, West Philly and Graduate Hospital).

You might be able to make a go of it in Northern Liberties as there a number of streets with parking available most of the time, especially in the northern section between Front Street and 2nd, and north of Laurel.

I would also explore the possibility of Chestnut Hill or West Mount Airy. It doesn't have the excitement of Center City, but Chestnut Hill has a decent share of restaurants and bars, plus the choice of either the R7 or R8 into Center City should you feel the need. Parking is not an issue outside of the main commercial strip on Germantown Avenue. Your close to the Wissahickon Gorge which is nice for biking/jogging also. Its also a heck of a lot more pleasant/safer too.

[pman]

depends on where, exactly, you are up there.
there is the 32 bus which runs along henry ave to fairmount, cc, and south philly. at rush hour I also wouldn't be worry to much about taking the subway to erie and then the HXH. as for the train, it really depends on the walk.

[cheesesteak12921]

Hi all-
Thanks for the tips. P-man, I'll be right next to route 1--around Roberts Avenue, so just short of a mile from where you'd get the 32, and a half a mile from the train station. could probably get the HXH anywhere along Wissahickon Avenue. How's a mile walking around the area?

Thanks again for the help...