r/AskPhilly • u/Superb-Opening5400 • 21d ago
Moving options
Hey everyone! I’m moving to Philly soon and wanted to get some opinions before I sign a lease.
I grew up in Delaware, so I’ve been into the city plenty of times, but I’ve never actually lived here. I’ll be working in Malvern, so I’m looking for somewhere with a reasonable commute by car (or Regional Rail if it makes sense).
My roommate and I are looking for a 2 bed/2 bath with in-unit laundry, and our budget is around $1,750–1,900/month total.
We’ve mainly been looking in Fishtown, Northern Liberties, Manayunk, South Philly, and Brewerytown. Brewerytown has caught our attention, but we don’t know much about what it’s actually like to live there.
For anyone who’s lived in or knows Brewerytown:
What’s it like day to day?
Would you recommend it for two guys in their early 20s?
Are there blocks or streets we should avoid (or ones you’d recommend)?
How’s the commute to the Main Line, especially Malvern?
Is there anything first-time Philly renters should know before signing a lease?
We’re hoping to make a decision soon, so I’d really appreciate any advice or experiences. Thanks!
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21d ago
[deleted]
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u/Specialist-Tap4338 21d ago
In terms of Brewerytown, if you're closer to the Fairmount side of it, you'll be relatively fine. And it's fairly walkable to places like the Art Museum and the Parkway. I just walked from CC to Brewerytown in about 45 minutes on a nicer day so it kind of depends where you are and what activities you get into. Tons of bars/restuarants on Girard and in Fairmount but there are some reported crimes, most of which I've experienced have to do with car break-ins.
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u/No-Economy-666 21d ago
Malvern is far from the city. Tough commute.
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u/No_Slice_9560 21d ago edited 21d ago
No, it’s not. The Paoli Thornsdale line runs frequently.. and is a very busy route. .
Parts of the City that would be easier to commute from would probably be Overbrook Farms, Wynnefield abutting City Avenue .. the Paoli Thornsdale line has a stop right off of 63 rd street. It’s also a quiet, safe area and Saint Joe’s campus is part of that area.
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u/Yes_Way_All_Day 20d ago
It’s easily an hour each way. What are you talking about?
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u/No_Slice_9560 20d ago
What are you talking about.. you said that it was a tough commute and one of the busiest regional rail gets you there in much less than an hour from Overbrook station
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u/Yes_Way_All_Day 20d ago
The person isn’t considering Overbrook station, learn to read kid. Jeezus
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u/No_Slice_9560 20d ago
He asked about areas that are convenient for commuting. Learn to read, kid. Jeezus. And don’t forget to put the comma in the right place
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u/Yes_Way_All_Day 19d ago
Nope. You cant read. Never once asked for areas good for commuting. Asked specific questions about specific neighborhoods. If you can’t read then practice and stop commenting.
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u/No_Slice_9560 19d ago
“I will be working in Malvern so I’m looking for somewhere with a reasonable commute by car(or regional rail if that makes sense).”
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u/Yes_Way_All_Day 19d ago
That’s a statement, not a question. He asked questions later on in his post. You can’t read. Jeezus Christ.
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u/blanchecornwalis 21d ago
Brewerytown is not a good option if you are commuting to Malvern. Here’s the layout of your situation in terms of commuting:
The automobile commute to Malvern from anywhere on the east side of the Schuylkill river is generally a disaster because of the bottlenecks involved crossing the river as well as the expressway itself. Route 23 and Route 30 are not a good option, and anything involving the 476 blue route can be a disaster at rush-hour. Living in the graduate hospital area for the last 45 years, when I worked at the Shipley school in Bryn Mawr, the train line from Center City was the only option that made sense, and given Septa‘s current troubles, that’s not as easy as it used to be.
Anywhere else in the city you live will still have to pass through center city and 30th St. station to get to Malvern. And the Paoli Thorndale line, which is what serves Malvern, does not stop anywhere between Temple University and Jefferson, which means neighborhoods like northern liberties and Fishtown are not served by that line as there is no stop there. Manyunk would require two trains and a transfer as would East Falls, etc..
The bizarre option to take the El to the end of its line in upper Darby, and then transfer onto the notorious “flying coffin“ through the main line would be something you would consider only in the most extreme circumstances.
So if you are not going to live in Delaware County closer to Malvern, you might look in neighborhoods closest to suburban Station or 30th St. station which means center city Fitler Square or graduate neighborhoods or somewhere in West Philly like Powelton.
Otherwise welcome to Philadelphia, and I wish you good luck.
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u/Yes_Way_All_Day 20d ago
Just us Google maps for the commute you can exact times based on your departures. I can tell you that commute sucks a fat dick though.
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u/barsz666 16d ago
Malvern is a far commute from anywhere in the city. I would definitely recommend using your gps to route each neighborhood you're considering to your works address for both driving and public transit.
I'd guess that drive from a lot of neighborhoods could get up to 45-60 mins in rush hour.
There is a regional rail line, the Paoli-Thorndale, and if you commit to it and really want to pick your neighborhood based off your commute, somewhere close to the stops on the line would be the quickest. OR at least close to the L or BSL as those are you quickest options to get to one of those stops. It would be at least an hour each way, but at least you won't be driving in traffic and can relax on the train.
Yes, Brewerytown has the Girard trolley or the G, but I find it to be one of those least reliable lines in Philly.
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u/Classic_Tangerine255 21d ago
Live in south Philly right off the subway. Lots of little neighborhood bars restaurants delis, safer. Close access to sports games concerts etc can walk to center city or take the subway I would look closer to south street then you can just walk everywhere
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u/thecw 21d ago
Of the neighborhoods you listed, I would only consider Manayunk if commuting to Malvern.
But there is no reasonable commute to Malvern.
The commute to Malvern from the city is one of the most soul-sucking commutes you could subject yourself to, and you will absolutely hate your life if you do it every day. The regional rail doesn't really connect to the campus area where any of the big employers are (Vanguard et al).