2007-03-30 15:32:43 · 11 answers · asked by biomedking 2 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Philadelphia
Unlike the other answerers, I actually live in Philadelphia.
The city is fine, the "unsafe" areas are places you wouldn't be living in, passing through or spending anytime in. Center City is the downtown area...and the nicest in terms of things to do, quality of housing, etc. Great neighborhoods there include Washington Square, Old City, Fitler Square, Society Hill, Rittenhouse Square, Queen Village, Bella Vista and Italian Market. If for some reason you feel the need to live in a suburb where there isn't a whole lot to do, then look at Bryn Mawr or Ardmore. They're near the commuter train that brings you into the city.
Actually after posting the answer, I realized from your username that you're probably going to be working for a firm outside the city. If that's the case, consider Manayunk,
which is a neighborhood in the far northwest part of the city. It's young and hip, with a great central area that has restaurants, bars, coffee places, etc. Manayunk is served by Septa's R6 Train, so driving in and out of the city isn't something you have to do.
Otherwise, you're looking at McMansion and/or cookiecutter neighborhoods, a sea of Wawa convenience stores, WalMart SuperCenters and a lot of time driving.
2007-03-31 00:10:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
The best place to live near Philadelphia is The Main Line - which has the best schools, very nice homes, and most convenient access to all points around the Philly metro area.
Regarding the comments from the Philadelphia naysayers, they couldn't be more wrong - Philadelphia is a great town. Check out this link from National Geographic Explorer:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/features/philly0510/philly.html
Also, here's some other great sites for the Philly & Main Line areaa:
Philadelphia Colonial History:
http://www.ushistory.org/
Main Line Background:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania_Main_Line
Main Line Shopping
http://www.suburbansquare.com
http://kingofprussiamall.com/
Main Line School Info
http://www.homesbydamon.com/view_links
http://www.schoolmatters.com
Main Line Chamber of Commerce
http://www.mlcc.org
I'm a Realtor in the area and if I can be of assistance, let me know. Good luck!
2007-04-01 19:14:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bucks County has some beautiful neighborhoods. Langhorne is one of them, Yardley is another. That's on the North East side of Philadelphia, but outside of the city. Towards the West side of the city there is Manyunk like one person said, but also Chestnut Hill. One of the bad things about living by Manyunk and Chestnut Hill though, is that you would need to take the Skuykill Expressway into the city, which is backed up every day. Coming from Bucks County or Montgomery county, you would be taking the Boulevard or 95. 95 is what would go directly into Center city. Philadelphia is beautiful, hope you enjoy it.
2007-03-31 09:28:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
In Philadelphia. The suburbs of Philadelphia are known as some of the most dangerous places in the United States, even worse than in LA.
2007-04-03 20:31:38 · answer #4 · answered by Skyline 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nice places to live in Pennsylvania near Phila. are anywhere on the "Mainline" for example Bala Cynwyd, Ardmore, Haverford, Bryn Mawr, Rosemont, Villanova, Radnor.
West Chester which is also near Phila. is worth considering as are some of the northern suburbs along Interstate 95.
2007-03-31 16:09:00 · answer #5 · answered by MB 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Talk to a Realtor, they will steer you in the right direction depending upon your situation. if you have kids, then you may want to consider Bucks County, for the excellent schools. I have lived in Bucks from 1990 until recently.
Right now, I would advise somewhere like East Falls, Bala Cynwood, or Main Line. Fort Washington seems nice, but I've not had a lot of exposure there.
Good luck.
2007-04-02 13:07:31 · answer #6 · answered by Brian H 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ambler, Glenside, Ft Washington, Jenkintown-close and convenient to CC Philly by train or car-Great schools and reasonable housing prices.
2007-04-03 10:00:40 · answer #7 · answered by Global warming ain't cool 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
eeeek loaded question..
Philly unfortunately is a bit of a pit in terms of HIGH crime rate and kinda more scary areas than good. I would say that the best parts to live in to be near philly would be the main line area, wayne, devon etc..
You also could move to an area like Lancaster which is about 1 1/2 hours outside of Philly and be MUCH safer. Only downside there is there isn't much to do.
I hope that helps a bit, I spend some time per year in that area and to be honest, I always dread that part of the year the most as PA is not the best state out there.
2007-03-30 23:39:26 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 6⤋
Not in Pennsylvania....but we love Gloucester County, NJ
2007-03-31 02:57:46 · answer #9 · answered by Regina L 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Do you have to go there? I moved away from there 15 yrs ago & won't live anywhere near there again. There are nice places in PA.
2007-03-30 22:42:17 · answer #10 · answered by shermynewstart 7 · 0⤊ 8⤋