Housing in Philly

Don't live in center city, way too expensive. Live a little farther out and take the train to school. I suggest Manayunk or Roxborough, or even New Jersey-- MUCH cheaper rents than the Philly area.

Emerald has good suggestions. Another hint. Look along the rail lines that run out of the city. That way if it's bad weather, your car breaks down etc. You have more freedom. My car died my second year and if I hadn't had access to public transportation, I would have been lost. Media is a great town with access to train and trolly. There is the "main line", but that can be expensive, although there are some student apartments in houses along the Mainline. You could look south along the I-95/train corridor to Delaware county-Delaware. I would stay away from Chester.

Media is a nice town, even though it is a little farther away. Iron Hill brewery rocks!!

Originally posted by EmeraldNYL

Iron Hill brewery rocks!!

hey! don't they have one of thoes in West Chester? The food was awesome!

Yep, there's an Iron Hill in DE as well. The food rocks but the beer is even better. My favorite is the Raspberry Wheat. Mmmmm, beeeer.....

How far is Rydal from the school? What kind of commute would it be?

Originally posted by EmeraldNYL

Yep, there's an Iron Hill in DE as well. The food rocks but the beer is even better. My favorite is the Raspberry Wheat. Mmmmm, beeeer.....

I didn't know it was a semi chain.

How's center city? We're looking at places there and it's hard to tell if it's a bad area or not. I don't want to make a wrong turn and end up somewhere no so nice.

Your ideal location would be west Center City/ University City - 21st St through 42nd Street (east to west), Spruce Street to Chestnut Street (south to North). Drexel is within walking or short riding disatance from these locations, and offers shuttle service throughout Cnetral Philly.. These are also your expensive areas. Further north, south, and west are cheaper, but get rough quickly. East of 22nd takes you into the heart of Cneter City, which is very expensive.

Bala Cynwyd/ Manyunk is a fun area with many recent college graduates, bars, restaurants and night life. Rent can be high, but cheaper than Central Philly. Many roomate situations exist in houses. Getting out of Manyunk at rush hour can be brutal due to narrow roadways and high volume. You must drive or commute from Manyunk (10-15 drive with no traffic).

King of Prussia is a longer commute and comparable pricewise, but offers easy access to King of Prussia Mall, largest in the area.

Cheaper, further housing options in safe neighborhoods exist in Far Northeast Philadelphia and Conshohocken.

That's the extent of my experience. Check http://www.septa.com (or maybe septa.org) for public transportation access. All of these locations have pretty easy pt access, but I'm not sure of the specifics.

I live in a subburb of Philly. I would take the advice of the others and took at Septa and how you can get to Drexel then research those areas. Great idea. GOOD LUCK!!!!!

MarkK gave good advice. The neighborhoods change really fast around Philly. You might want to try to look for something along City Ave., which is not as expensive as center city but still really close.

Several Areas to choose...

I live in "Rydal/Cheltenham Township Abington which are in the suburbs and a decent area with moderate to expensive rates for rental properties, however you would be a good 15-25 minutes away from campus by car with train service nearby.

Or if you are truly serious, I have a friend who owns a few duplexes in Northeast Philadelphia along the 56 trolley route.

It's a safe neighborhood with reasonable rent and nice apartments.

If you like you can actually contact me at [email protected] and I will forward you the information.

If you want convenience, you'd be better served staying in town, however your rent will tend to be much higher.

I don't usually solicit things like this but I noticed the program you applied to and admission date, and I'm considering applying for the same class and just figured I'd tell you about the place that I know he has vacant because another friend of ours who is a CNA moved out and bought his own house not too long ago.

So drop me a line at the above email address and I'll give you his email and you two can talk if you wish.

Good Luck either way.

BK