Villanova Grad Student.. Live in Center City Philly? (Philadelphia, Norristown: cheap apartments, for rent) - Pennsylvania (PA) - City-Data Forum

ONTHERISE1 · 12-19-2013, 10:30 AM

So I have a few questions I'm hoping to get some advice on. I am moving from Florida and going to be attending Villanova's Grad Program (Masters in Finance ) this summer and am debating between living in center city or a suburb surrounding the school. If I live in the city I would sell my car and take the SEPTA to and from campus. Also plan on interning in the city. Can you guys give me the pros and cons of living in center city vs. living in a suburb around the school. Is it reasonable for a student to live in the city? It sounds much more exciting but don't know if its financially doable. Was looking to spend around 700 on rent and want a roommate. Is the public transportation reliable?

Thanks a bunch

FindingZen · 12-19-2013, 10:50 AM

If $700 is your half of a 2BR that you plan to share, then it might be doable in Center City. Do note that depending on where you live in CC that it would be a 25-35 minute train ride to Villanova. If you have night classes, that could get old. The only significant "con" I can think for you would be that city residents pay a wage tax on any salary that they earn, whether or not they work in the city. If you work/intern in the city but live in the suburbs, you would pay a somewhat smaller wage tax.

There isn't really anything going on in Villanova proper. Ardmore is about 10 minutes away and has a number of apartments with relatively reasonable rents. Along with Bryn Mawr and Wayne, they would provide a decent number of after-hours diversions. That whole stretch between Wynnewood and (arguably) Paoli/Malvern is called the Main Line, a contiguous row of traditionally upscale neighborhoods. The biggest "con" for your purposes might be that nightlife will end early and isn't as "raucous" compared to the city.

You would most likely take SEPTA's Thorndale/Paoli Regional Rail line is very reliable except perhaps during the fall when leaves can make the rails slippery and subsquently slows the ride down a bit.

Don't forget to contact Villanova's off-campus housing department for ideas.

MikeNigh · 12-19-2013, 11:29 AM

Looks like the NSHL also goes through there.

I think financially alone everything makes sense to live in the city. When your not working you won't have to pay the wage tax. When you are working it will be downtown so you'll have to pay it anyways. And when you're working it will be downtown so you'll be a short commute to work.

You have the opportunity to live in Center City now, if you don't do it then when will you? Would you live in the burbs of NYC when you could be in the city for 700/mo?

FindingZen · 12-19-2013, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeNigh

Looks like the NSHL also goes through there.

True, the OP could take the Market-Frankford El (aka "the Blue Line") from CC to 69th Street and connect with the Norristown High Speed Line to Villanova. Having worked out there for a bit back in the day, I recall the NHSL being a bit further from campus than the Regional Rail line and would be a longer trip for not much less $. At least it would provide some flexibility if the OP needed to be at school late for whatever reason.

RightonWalnut · 12-20-2013, 04:48 PM

If you have a roommate, than living in Center City on $700 a month will be doable. You may have to live along a subway line and take the subway to Center City than transfer over to a regional rail line. I think you should do it though... your social life will thank you.

ElijahAstin · 12-20-2013, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ONTHERISE1

So I have a few questions I'm hoping to get some advice on. I am moving from Florida and going to be attending Villanova's Grad Program (Masters in Finance ) this summer and am debating between living in center city or a suburb surrounding the school. If I live in the city I would sell my car and take the SEPTA to and from campus. Also plan on interning in the city. Can you guys give me the pros and cons of living in center city vs. living in a suburb around the school. Is it reasonable for a student to live in the city? It sounds much more exciting but don't know if its financially doable. Was looking to spend around 700 on rent and want a roommate. Is the public transportation reliable?

Thanks a bunch

If you don't mind what would probably be a 35-45-minute door-to-door commute if you live near Suburban Station or Market East, then go for it (and definitely take the regional rail 11 times out of 10).

There's some stuff going on in Ardmore/Bryn Mawr. It's definitely not Center City, but it's far from a dead zone (though the scene is very undergrad/grad student-y, as opposed to the general young professional vibe you'll find in CC). It comes down to this: do you want an urban lifestyle? If so, there's no substitute for Center City. While the commute isn't speedy, it's short/hassle-free enough to make it all worthwhile.

templeu · 12-21-2013, 10:31 AM

You could also consider the University City area, and then get the regional rail at either University City or 30th St.

ElijahAstin · 12-21-2013, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by templeu

You could also consider the University City area, and then get the regional rail at either University City or 30th St.

Regional Rail doesn't go to the Main Line from U City Station. It does from 30th Street, but that only saves a couple minutes' time.

Whatdoesthefoxsay65 · 12-21-2013, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ONTHERISE1

So I have a few questions I'm hoping to get some advice on. I am moving from Florida and going to be attending Villanova's Grad Program (Masters in Finance ) this summer and am debating between living in center city or a suburb surrounding the school. If I live in the city I would sell my car and take the SEPTA to and from campus. Also plan on interning in the city. Can you guys give me the pros and cons of living in center city vs. living in a suburb around the school. Is it reasonable for a student to live in the city? It sounds much more exciting but don't know if its financially doable. Was looking to spend around 700 on rent and want a roommate. Is the public transportation reliable?

Thanks a bunch

Yeah, Center City is quite doable on a $700 budget. You may have to do some digging, but I think you might actually be able to find an apartment for the semester in U City. If not semester, but permanently in U City for that amount of money. If I can offer a resource, I think padmapper is great at finding cheap apartments at a certain amount of money.

Philadelphia Apartments for Rent - PadMapper Map-Based Apartment Search

Just be wary of post that seem too good to be true and people that won't post photos or even allow you to call them...!

I think the Thorndale Line goes out there, although you can ride the MFL and the NHSL, or the 125 and the NHSL there...You might want to use Google Maps to help you understand this...

At any rate, living in a city would be better because there is less need for a car, and you can basically walk to everything. Although crime may be a problem, you will certainly be safe in the Center City area (but you still have to careful though). There's a lot a more nightlife in the city, and you don't have to worry about staying out in the club too late and missing the last train or bus home. But I will admit things will be a little tight being in the neighborhood you want to be in. You may have to do quite a bit of number crunching though...!