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elSicomoro · 11-14-2003, 06:35 PM

Don't completely write DC off...it just depends on where you live in the area. There are several nice neighborhoods on the east side of the red line--particularly Brookline in DC, Takoma Park on the DC/MD border, and Silver Spring in Montgomery County, MD. The green line will give you Hyattsville and College Park in Prince Georges County, MD. And the orange and yellow lines will give you Arlington and Alexandria in VA, which are still decent price-wise (though not as cheap as the other two).

And you could probably do NYC--Queens or Staten Island.

Chicago has an excellent public transit system: CTA subways and buses, Pace suburban buses, and Metra regional rail. Cost of living is decent, though I don't know about the job market there right now...I would imagine it's pretty decent.

You may also want to consider Baltimore. Decent transportation access in the city, low cost of living and easy access to Washington via MARC.

Now, let's talk about Philadelphia.

The cost of living here is pretty good, compared to most cities. Job market seems to be picking up again. SEPTA is decent for getting around. Lots of history and culture. Good healthcare systems.

Now, the drawbacks:

--The City of Philadelphia has one of the highest wage taxes in the US. For city residents, it runs at about 4.7%; a percent or so less for those that just work in the city.

--SEPTA is one of the most expensive transit systems in the country. $2 for a ride on the bus or subways, 60 cents for a transfer. Tokens (which you can buy at many places) are $1.30. Regional rail fares depend on where you live: I pay $127 a month to ride one of the regional rail lines from the edge of the city to Center City (3 zones according to SEPTA)...and that also lets me ride the buses and trains as often as I want (up to 3 zones).

--SEPTA is threatening to make substantial service cuts unless it gets more state funding soon...if the proposed cuts go through, it's going to be ugly: 4 regional rail lines within the city will be slashed as well as several bus routes. Fares for the rails will go up, and the number of trips the transit vehicles make will probably decrease.

--The El and Subway are horrible. Disgusting. Stay away from them as much as possible. Try to do regional rail close to home or a bus/rail connection.

(Incidentally, FNF...SEPTA is supposedly talking about doing away with that guarantee.)

--Thank God you won't have a car...car insurance in this state is ridiculous, especially in the city.

--School system is improving, but currently under state control. Not recommended unless you live in one of the better neighborhoods...and even then, I'd be leery.

--In some neighborhoods, you're damned near an enemy to the residents, especially if you live in an apartment. It may take some time for people to adjust to you, if ever.

So, having said all this, where are good places to live in the area that might meet your needs?

City of Philadelphia:
--East Falls
--Mt. Airy
--Torresdale/Morrell Park (where I currently live)
--Holmesburg
--Modena Park
--Parkview
--Somerton
--Bustleton
--Eastwick
--Queen Village

Montgomery County
--Abington
--Glenside
--Jenkintown
--Cheltenham
--Bala Cynwyd

Bucks County
--Bensalem
--Langhorne

Delaware County
--Upper Darby
--Springfield
--Media

Camden County, NJ
--Mount Laurel
--Lindenwold
--Pennsauken

New Castle County, DE
--New Castle
--Claymont
--Newark
--Wilmington (some parts...not many, but some are nice)

I would recommend checking out philly.com, which covers our two local daily papers, our main weekly paper, and our ABC affiliate. Also good to look at is Digital City's Philadelphia page.

Rho and I have lived here for 3 years now, all at the same place here in the city--it's not paradise, but it's not bad.

11-14-2003, 06:35 PM	#17
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	Don't completely write DC off...it just depends on where you live in the area. There are several nice neighborhoods on the east side of the red line--particularly Brookline in DC, Takoma Park on the DC/MD border, and Silver Spring in Montgomery County, MD. The green line will give you Hyattsville and College Park in Prince Georges County, MD. And the orange and yellow lines will give you Arlington and Alexandria in VA, which are still decent price-wise (though not as cheap as the other two). And you could probably do NYC--Queens or Staten Island. Chicago has an excellent public transit system: CTA subways and buses, Pace suburban buses, and Metra regional rail. Cost of living is decent, though I don't know about the job market there right now...I would imagine it's pretty decent. You may also want to consider Baltimore. Decent transportation access in the city, low cost of living and easy access to Washington via MARC. Now, let's talk about Philadelphia. The cost of living here is pretty good, compared to most cities. Job market seems to be picking up again. SEPTA is decent for getting around. Lots of history and culture. Good healthcare systems. Now, the drawbacks: --The City of Philadelphia has one of the highest wage taxes in the US. For city residents, it runs at about 4.7%; a percent or so less for those that just work in the city. --SEPTA is one of the most expensive transit systems in the country. $2 for a ride on the bus or subways, 60 cents for a transfer. Tokens (which you can buy at many places) are $1.30. Regional rail fares depend on where you live: I pay $127 a month to ride one of the regional rail lines from the edge of the city to Center City (3 zones according to SEPTA)...and that also lets me ride the buses and trains as often as I want (up to 3 zones). --SEPTA is threatening to make substantial service cuts unless it gets more state funding soon...if the proposed cuts go through, it's going to be ugly: 4 regional rail lines within the city will be slashed as well as several bus routes. Fares for the rails will go up, and the number of trips the transit vehicles make will probably decrease. --The El and Subway are horrible. Disgusting. Stay away from them as much as possible. Try to do regional rail close to home or a bus/rail connection. (Incidentally, FNF...SEPTA is supposedly talking about doing away with that guarantee.) --Thank God you won't have a car...car insurance in this state is ridiculous, especially in the city. --School system is improving, but currently under state control. Not recommended unless you live in one of the better neighborhoods...and even then, I'd be leery. --In some neighborhoods, you're damned near an enemy to the residents, especially if you live in an apartment. It may take some time for people to adjust to you, if ever. So, having said all this, where are good places to live in the area that might meet your needs? City of Philadelphia: --East Falls --Mt. Airy --Torresdale/Morrell Park (where I currently live) --Holmesburg --Modena Park --Parkview --Somerton --Bustleton --Eastwick --Queen Village Montgomery County --Abington --Glenside --Jenkintown --Cheltenham --Bala Cynwyd Bucks County --Bensalem --Langhorne Delaware County --Upper Darby --Springfield --Media Camden County, NJ --Mount Laurel --Lindenwold --Pennsauken New Castle County, DE --New Castle --Claymont --Newark --Wilmington (some parts...not many, but some are nice) I would recommend checking out philly.com, which covers our two local daily papers, our main weekly paper, and our ABC affiliate. Also good to look at is Digital City's Philadelphia page. Rho and I have lived here for 3 years now, all at the same place here in the city--it's not paradise, but it's not bad.