Possible cross country relocation: Los Angeles to Philadelphia (apartment, to buy)

[rainrock]

Another map. Philadelphia county is the yellow shade. Bryn Mawr, Wayne,Bala Cynwd are in Montgomery County.

You will find nice apartments in Bryn Mawr but keep in mind these towns close to city have been around for 150 years and they tend to be on the older side, upscale but definitely older.

Newer apts you will find west of 476, Wayne, Chesterbrook,Malvern etc.

What a typical Apartment complex in Bryn Mawr looks like.

http://www.barbarahomes.com/asp/homes/2160/851142_11169035.jpg (broken link)

Typical complex you will find further west in places like Wayne,Malvern,Chesterbrook,West Chester,Chester Springs etc.

Windsor Brandywine Valley

[1200RT]

Originally Posted by JasmineFlower

What do you mean by higher class dwellings? Like luxury condos? And what would you be willing to pay to rent one? Since that means different things to different people. If you are looking on the main line, there are definitely high end condos in Bala on Presidential Blvd that can be rented, but they'd be expensive.

I guess I didnt know how to post what I was thinking. Condo doesn't really fit. I live in an apartment. A nice apartment. Nothing more, nothing less. Nice fittings, appliances, tile, etc. This doesn't HAVE to be the case in a new place, but it would be nice. In unit laundry would also be ideal.

Originally Posted by JasmineFlower

Is Bryn Mawr under the rule of Philly? Its in a different county than Philly, part of a suburban township (Lower Merion), its not governed by the mayor of Philly or the city council of Philly. Hope that answers your question.

Yes, it does. Thank you.

[1200RT]

When people say "main line" what do they mean? Thorndale line of SEPTA?

[kidphilly]

Originally Posted by 1200RT

When people say "main line" what do they mean? Thorndale line of SEPTA?

Yes and basically each one of the stops is the name of the town, the line follow route 30, the closer in towns are older and the further out will be more suburban

Rainrock posted the SEPTA map on the prior page

[1200RT]

Thank you. Do you know the approximate travel times from some popular stops on the Thorndale line? Time from Bryn Mawr to downtown Philly ...... thorndale? overbrook?

[kidphilly]

Originally Posted by 1200RT

Thank you. Do you know the approximate travel times from some popular stops on the Thorndale line? Time from Bryn Mawr to downtown Philly ...... thorndale? overbrook?

I would say Bryn Mawr is about 25 minutes, Thorndale is probably closer to 50 minutes. Overbrook is in Philly proper, may be a different neighborhood than your original criteria

Really from Narberth to Malvern would be the Main Line proper

[rainrock]

SEPTA | Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority

Click Regional Rail

Click Schedule

Click Paoli/Thorndale


The Center City stops depending where you are working will be 30th Street,Suburban Station,Market East.

Bryn Mawr to Suburban Station is about 20 minutes.

Wayne to Suburba Station is 30 minutes

Thorndale 1 hour to Center Citys Suburban Station.

[1200RT]

thanks!

I drive over the place (in LA) now, so even an hour train commute would be alright by me.

[Avalon08]

I drive over the place (in LA) now, so even an hour train commute would be alright by me.

I understand this (having lived with SoCal's traffic), but the thing is, it's not necessary. Philly is not as large and spread-out as LA is. If you lived an hour away by train, you'd probably be outside of the Philly metropolitan area. And as I mentioned above, you do not NEED to live that far away from the city, because you're renting. Aside from center city (where rents are naturally high), you won't find much difference in rent prices in the suburban areas. Yes, the Main Line towns can be more expensive, but I'd say it's only a difference of a few hundred bucks per month. It's still got to be cheaper than LA, I'd think. I am in a nice apartment complex on the Main Line right near the train station....large 2 BR is $1225. Older complex, older residents, but quiet and fine for my needs....and has a full-size W/D in the kitchen. Most of the new luxury complexes are way more than that -- $1400, $1800, etc.

So I guess my point is, you can be in a suburban area that's quiet and safe but doesn't need to be an hour commute from the city. I think. But you haven't said what your price range is.

[1200RT]

Hey Avalon - Thanks!

I've been doing some research, and while I could pay more ($2k/month), I think i'll try to find something between $1k and $1300. This is mainly so I can have a nice chunk of money to put away every month to buy a house. I think living is a less expensive apartment makes sense right now. No need to spend $2k/month.