What neighborhoods should I look at? (Ardmore, Paoli: city hall, home, transfer)

[rowhomecity]

Fishtown is a great neighborhood with a lovely young professional vibe to it.

You have many wonderful amenities at your disposal and you can easily take public transit to work.

Philadelphia is a bit different than California, where the car is not always the predominate form of transit to get to work, many people use the subway, buses and commuter trains. (Philadelphia's public transit system is the 5th largest in the nation).

[ElijahAstin]

I just realized that OP is working at Drexel in Center City, so a PATCO commute should be perfectly convenient.

I still vote for Fishtown, though. Depending on where you are in the neighborhood, you should have an easy bus or el ride.

[rowhomecity]

If the OP wants to consider suburban options, I would also highly recommend Ardmore in addition to Collingswood.
In Ardmore there would be no need to transfer on transit which can be a hassle.

With that though, I do not think her budget would get an entire house in either suburban town.

[PHL10]

Originally Posted by rowhomecity

If the OP wants to consider suburban options, I would also highly recommend Ardmore in addition to Collingswood.
In Ardmore there would be no need to transfer on transit which can be a hassle.

With that though, I do not think her budget would get an entire house in either suburban town.

Ardmore may be a better choice for many reasons but not because of transit. Transferring from heavy rail to heavy rail with 8-10 minutes headways where the two lines are separated by a staircase is an consequence compared to a Regional Rail one-seat ride that has at best, 30 minute headways.

[KansastoSouthphilly]

Originally Posted by Wells5

If you park your car several blocks away from your dwelling, expect it to be vandalized; if not outright broken into or the tires stolen, then "keyed" or the exterior body panels smashed with a hammer. Philly is a rough place to live in.

That is silly. That has never happened to me or anyone I know. I have been in Philly for 13+ years now. Crimes like this do happen with more frequency in the City than the suburbs but the chances are still fairly low.

You like to walk when it rains, drizzles or snows? How about on a hot humid day? Do you enjoy carrying bags or sacks of groceries? The OP is a California girl and is used to driving everywhere.

[/quote]

Maybe someone who moves here wants an urban east coast experience instead of a poor approximation of what they are used to?

[rowhomecity]

Originally Posted by PHL10

Ardmore may be a better choice for many reasons but not because of transit. Transferring from heavy rail to heavy rail with 8-10 minutes headways where the two lines are separated by a staircase is an consequence compared to a Regional Rail one-seat ride that has at best, 30 minute headways.

Eh technically, door to door the commute would be closer from Ardmore to 30th st station than Collingswood to 30th st station.

It is about 18 minutes from Ardmore to 30th (give or take) and closer to 30 minutes with the transfer required from Collingswood.

And having a one seat ride is much less stressful. As is commuter rail in general (more relaxed seating and atmosphere, compared to heavy rail.)

The Paoli line is very reliable and with the exception of 24 hour service is as good as PATCO by all standards.

Pre Covid during commute times the Paoli line would operate on a high frequency interval, not really requiring a wait with some light planning involved.

I prefer Ardmore over Collingswood. I think it offers more.

Again though on the OP's budget I do not think she will find a single family home in either suburban community and will need to find a rowhome or apartment and maybe invest some of that rent money for dog training for the separation anxiety for her animal?? I know it can be resolved with some time and training.

I know barking dogs even in the suburbs in SFH's can stir up complaints and be heard.

[Wells5]

Originally Posted by caligirl93924

Thank you all for the feedback! I have found some places in Fishtown with some small yards. Would Fishtown be considered a safe area to be?

Just curious, where did you find these listings? Philly is notorious for rental listing scams. When I moved to Montgomery County in 1977, I was a victim of one of these scams.


I advise you again: park your pooch with relatives or in a kennel and come out for a week or more to check things out personally. Don't send money on a lick and a promise.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by rowhomecity

Eh technically, door to door the commute would be closer from Ardmore to 30th st station than Collingswood to 30th st station.

It is about 18 minutes from Ardmore to 30th (give or take) and closer to 30 minutes with the transfer required from Collingswood.

And having a one seat ride is much less stressful. As is commuter rail in general (more relaxed seating and atmosphere, compared to heavy rail.)

The Paoli line is very reliable and with the exception of 24 hour service is as good as PATCO by all standards.

Pre Covid during commute times the Paoli line would operate on a high frequency interval, not really requiring a wait with some light planning involved.

I prefer Ardmore over Collingswood. I think it offers more.

Again though on the OP's budget I do not think she will find a single family home in either suburban community and will need to find a rowhome or apartment and maybe invest some of that rent money for dog training for the separation anxiety for her animal?? I know it can be resolved with some time and training.

I know barking dogs even in the suburbs in SFH's can stir up complaints and be heard.

She’s working for Drexel in Center City, so any or all of regional rail, the subway or el, or PATCO should work for a public transit commute. Don’t worry, I got tripped up by the same thing at first, but then I glanced back at the OP and saw my mistake.

Originally Posted by Wells5

Just curious, where did you find these listings? Philly is notorious for rental listing scams. When I moved to Montgomery County in 1977, I was a victim of one of these scams.

Come on, dude.

Originally Posted by Wells5

I advise you again: park your pooch with relatives or in a kennel and come out for a week or more to check things out personally. Don't send money on a lick and a promise.

I actually agree with this, if at all possible. But it continues to be very difficult to safely and efficiently travel during a pandemic, especially from the opposite coast.

Also, you’re not doing the OP any favors by projecting your preferences onto hers (using passé terminology, no less). And since she’s not from the area she’s less likely to be able to distinguish between your tastes and her expressed desires.

[Flyers Girl]

Originally Posted by ElijahAstin

Also, you’re not doing the OP any favors by projecting your preferences onto hers (using passé terminology, no less). And since she’s not from the area she’s less likely to be able to distinguish between your tastes and her expressed desires.

Especially since he lives nowhere near Philadelphia and hasn't for a very long time.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by Flyers Girl

Especially since he lives nowhere near Philadelphia and hasn't for a very long time.

Yes, his views very much reflect the Philadelphia of the 1980s.