Commuting from Philly to Wilmington, DE (Young professional)

[brightsky]

Hi future neighbors,

Wanted some local opinions on neighborhoods:

I'm a mid twenties young professional who will be commuting to wilmington,DE (downtown). The job requires I keep a car, so I'd love a neighborhood i could park on the street easily (or where parking isnt crazy expensive).

I'd prefer a nice neighborhood, local cafes and bars, with some diversity and of course safe.

I want easy access to take SEPTA and also to 95 when I drive. I'm open to living with roommates to save some money or get my own 1 bedroom.

Tall order... ?

I've been looking into Queen Village, Bella Vista, Old City, University City etc...

Help! What commute can I realistically expect using SEPTA and my car? What neighborhoods would be a good match?

[Marc]

I used to commute from QV to downtown Wilmington; if memory serves the average drive was under 45 minutes. While my office was a 5 minute walk from the regional rail, scheduling greatly limited my use if it.

From QV to train station is a 15 or so minute walk or a 5 minute bus ride + 2 minute walk. I think it's about an hour ride on the train.

Best of luck!

[desolate]

I would stay south of Market on the 95 side of town. If you can work the train at both ends (which is always the problem) then I'd use that just for the miles on your car every day.

Also South Philly the farther south from Center City, the parking improves. It's always bad anywhere in SOuth Philly but gets worse the closer you are to Market.


You can also live in Northern Liberites, Fishtown, Port Richmond and even Mayfair on the north side if you're willing to deal with 95 in the PM north of Market.

Parking improves and rents decline as you go north to even Cottman. While not as cool Mayfair isn't far off from deep South Philly (south south) cost wise and bar/dining wise.

You could also live in University City and even Fairmount as this would allow you to use 30th Street Station and still get to 95 pretty easily via 76 and take 76 to the Airport via 26th St (highway)

[spa25]

Driving to work primarily?

Pennsport and the Whitman section below Snyder have easier access to 95 South. One ramp by Tasker and Front (or is it Reed) and another on Front below Oregon. I drive to work frequently and have no problem getting to 95 in less than 10min.

No quick access to RR from these neighborhoods. Living closer to Broad would allow you to take the Broad St line to Suburban Station. Parking is more of bitch closer to Broad I find, as we have 95 to park underneath in my hood (and thats last resort, except when it snows!)

[lastmonthsrent]

The 28th and Brown area has free parking and you can access 76 east easily by hitting the parkway circle in front of the museum. Great neighborhood.

[#1MetsFan]

Actually, you can't access 76 east from the parkway -- only 76 west. You'd have go to cross 676, then come back up 22nd Street, get on 676 west and then jump on 76 east.

But there is an easier way. From 28th and Brown, you can just get onto 76 east from Girard Ave by the zoo.

[arjay]

Is taking the R2 Market East-Wilmington a big hassle? Is it just that it doesn't run that often? I'm wondering myself, I'm looking for a job and would like to be able to expand my search to Wilmington, but I don't own a car. How do-able is it?

[Bob_Head]

University City etc...

^This. A nice walk to University City or 30th Street stations for the R2, with the trolleys or the LUCY for when you don't feel like walking. Decent access (better when the South Street bridge reopens) to 76, which gets you to 95.