I am a veterinarian who is starting a new job in Lansdale in August. I am young, single professional and fear that Lansdale and the surrounding towns may...suck basically. I am looking into moving to Manayunk but a lot of people are scaring me about the traffic. What are people's thoughts on the commute from Manayunk to Lansdale/Gwynedd? If it is so horrible what other towns have a fun single professional crowd? Thanks!

Laura

I know with no traffic, you can there in 30-35 minutes. With traffic, I'm not sure...prob more like 45 min - 1 hour. I would do it - I think this area is worth it.

I think Manyunk is a great community to live in, but agree that Montgomery County traffic can be terrible. Having said that, I have never gone from Manyunk to Lansdale/Gwynedd.

It would likely matter precisely where in Manyunk you start from, and where in Lansdale/Gwynedd you end up. It would also matter what time you are supposed to be at work, and what time you will likely leave from work.

I would try the commute at the appropiate times two or or three times to get an idea as to whether it is reasonable for you. Different people have different degrees of tolerance for commutes, and whether whatever it is is reasonable is a personal decision that only you can make.

Relevant to this decision is what you expect to be doing after work and how involved in the Manyunk scene you intend to be.

You can get a general idea before trying out the commute by picking departing and arriving addresses from mapquest.com. They will give you an estimated time a trip will take, but if you are traveling in rush hour the time of the trip will almost certainly be longer than mapquest estimates.

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Almost all of the morning traffic out of Manayunk funnels its way to to I-76. This is where the traffic nightmare begins. If you are going to Gwynedd/Landsdale, you can bypass most of this traffic by taking local roads (Ridge Ave. > Bells Mill Rd > Paper Mill Rd > Route 309), as you will be going in the opposite direction. Several years ago I attended a training class at Gwynedd Mercy College, and I actually found it to be a pleasent commute. If you leave early enough (around 7:00), you will find very little traffic going that direction. One caveat: Route 309 is currently under constuction. Durning heavy traffic times, it can be difficult to navigate. Otherwise, the road is a little bumpy and the exit ramps are messed-up, but at least the flow of traffic moves pretty well.

Take Bells mill to bethlemhem pike then veer onto 73 or Morris Rd (near bent elbow bar) They both shoot you right into the heart of Gwynedd & Lansdale. Make a right on 202 or Broad street. Avoid 309 at all costs, theyre doing a huge construction job ad traffic can be horrific, plus 309 takes you too montgomeryville, not really lansdale.

Where in Lansdale? Near the turnpike exit?

West Point Pike in Lasndale. Kinda near Gwynedd. That is all I can give you...I have only been there once for my job interview. Thanks to everyone who has responded so far. I am not good in traffic..little patience and a short temper. But I really need to live near people my own age, especially due to the year I jsut finished in North Jersey!

Laura

It's not that bad - I can think of a lot worse commute. Welcome to the yunk

Good luck with your move, lauram2. As a former North Jersey resident, I think you will like it in Manayunk. It amazes me how dependant on cars people are up in NJ. You can't do anything without driving. One of the reasons I moved to 'Yunk, is that everyhting I need is within walking distance or a short drive away. You can even catch a bus or train and be in Center City in 20 minutes.

Thanks D-man. I am actually a native Pennsylvanian, I spent a year in North Jersey for an internship post veterinary school. I went to Penn, so I got a chance to become familiar with Philly over the 4 years. I am excited to move back home! Again thanks for everyone's help

Laura