I was hoping I could get some opinions on neighborhoods that might be good fits for me. I am single female in my early 30s moving to philly from out of state. I will be working in glenside. I have a car & suspect I will have to use it, at least to get to work, but I would prefer to have a short(ish) commute (I know that is vague, sorry!). I really like to live in an area that has a community feel. BUT I also really like to go out - dancing, bars, ethnic restaurants, coffee shops, etc. - where I would be able to meet other young(ish) professionals. I have been thinking manayunk, but after reading on here I think it may be too college age/ frat like for me??? I worry mt. airy may be too residential, not enough action for me??? your opinions would be very helpful. thank you!

I'm about the same age as you, and I live in Manayunk. I've owned a house here for the past 7 years and am very happy with the location. However, I live in an area that is on the outskirts of Manayunk (a lot people think the area is actually part of Roxborough). Because it is somewhat removed from Main St., the neighborhood is quieter and there are less transient renters. To avoid the college age/frat scene, you will want look at areas away from Main St.,or the Roxborough and Wissahickon neighborhoods.

I tend to avoid the Main St bar scene, however there is still a lot to do for someone our age . There are several good coffee shops, and some decent restaurants. Ethnic food is limted to Thai and Japanese, but they are both pretty good. There are a few bars that attract a more mature crowd, which tend to be associated with the more upscale restuarants. (Derek's is small plate restaurant with a kind of wine bar, Manayunk Brewing Co.is a brew pub with decent food. The owner of Jake's is opening a brick oven pizza/wine bar place, which looks promising and the owner of Chabaa Thai is opening a Thai small plate/lounge.)

Finally, I wouldn't rule out living in one of the Center City neighborhoods. You will have much more entertainment and nightlife options close by. Plus, if your place of employment is near the Glenside SEPTA station, you can forget about the car and commute by train.

HI, I live in Roxborough and am in my late twenties, as is my husband. We have a baby and, needless to say, also wanted to avoid a college-like neighborhood. I can tell you that the locals in Roxborough are great - it's less trendy (if that's the right word) amongst college-age kids but it's still close to the good restaurants, coffee shops, and shopping of manayunk. There are also great local finds on Ridge ave. (the main st of roxborough). Hope this helps.

Sumac Street was good to me when I lived there. You can get downtown without having to go through any ghetto areas.

I am an avowed city girl (live here and work here by choice) but I have to ask. If you are working in Glenside, why do want to live in the city? Are you aware that you will have to pay city wage tax? And Glenside is one of the few suburban towns I like. They have a nice shopping area, some good bars/restaurants. Anyway, if you want city, I'd also like to suggest Roxborough. It's not far from Glenside.

I don't understand how the whole quote thing works; sorry. Living in Montgomery county and being single sound like hell to me. This person is obviously looking to enjoy her life, not live in the grim ratrace - an 'upscale townhouse community' (all suspect words) in Blue Bell, anyone? Lifestyle is more important than some stupid few percent tax. If that weren't true, San Fran and NYC would be empty. She doesn't want to be a prisoner of her car. She wants to be around people with similar interests, etc. Montgomery County is alienating.

If you wanted to stay close to the city but near glenside with a community feel - I would choose Mt. Airy or Roxborough. However, don't discount Glenside just because it's not "Philadelphia" - it is a cute area and the address alone will save you money on wage tax, and more importantly car insurance.

I find most suburbs awful but I make exceptions for a few. Glenside and Narberth come to mind. They have a small town feel and a real "neighborhood" vibe. I have young cousins in Glenside and they are always out at bars and restaurants in the neighborhood. I think those of us suggesting she at least consider Glenside just want the OP to consider all options available to her.

Glenside rocks! Art, crafts, coffee shops, bars, restaurants, Keswick theatre, funky people, diversity, great transportation, nice people, easy to get to the city.

I too like Glenside, but I think that Montgomery County does no favors for that pseudo-town (it is actually a train station and ZIP code at the border of Cheltenham and Abington townships). If it makes you feel any better, I ruined my morning one day a couple of months ago by running an errand on the far side of Abington (to the factory that built one of my trucks, to get a weld fixed), and the one bright spot in the trip was my trip to Glenside, where I had a couple of beers and a nice lunch at the Blue Comet, I went into the candy store a few doors down to buy treats, and I made a trip to the bank, all without moving the truck. It is how the suburbs should have been built and represents the direction expensive gas will send this country.