I n the 1880's, the wealthiest Philadelphians moved out of the city and into Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester Counties along the Pennsylvania Railroad's Main Line. The community traditionally stretched along the railroad tracks and included stops at Overbrook, Merion, Narberth, Wynnewood,Ardmore, Haverford, Bryn Mawr, Rosemont, Villanova, Radnor, St. Davids, Wayne, Strafford, Devon, Berwyn, Daylesford, Paoli. The trains took commuters back and forth to the city to work. As automobiles transversed Route 30 (also called Lancaster Pike), "The Main Line" expanded deeper into the surrounding areas, including moving further West into Malvern, Exton, Downingtown, Coatesville, and Parkesburg. In more recent times, the Schuykill Expressway, Rt 95, the Turnpike, and the Blue Route (Route 476) has given better access to the surrounding areas from Phila. The Paoli Local Train service survives today and is still very popular. There are additional commuter train routes going in the other directions as well.
Business has been moving out of Philadelphia for long years and continues to expand into the suburbs. The city survives though, and the traffic on the expressway and Blue Route can become grid-locked most mornings and evenings at rush hour.
Some of the population has moved further west in search of more suburban surroundings as the building continues. Many who once lived in Lower Merion and who moved to Eastern Chester County, find themselves moving west again to escape the build-up of new homes and communities. Traffic is getting worse every day.
Real Estate values continue to climb. So do the taxes. Insurance is highest, closest to the city, and drops as you go west. Taxes are high and climbing. Schools once closed due to declining youth are needed again and new schools are being built. Older schools are also being renovated or rebuilt. Residents of most Phila suburbs are either very rich or upper middle class. There are small pockets of poorer people in some areas. Local government (including Townships and Counties) and school authorities take the position that they want the best for their residents and have little concern for big budgets and big spending. Some officials once said "if you don't like it, move elsewhere". Many of the upper middle class have both parents working to support their life-style.
In Chester County, big pieces of open land are being sold off and being developed. Part is due to the high taxes on the land while the developer's money becomes the second attraction. Farms are disappearing. New homes bring more people, more traffic, and the need for schools and roads as well as services.
There are 5 counties surrounding Philadelphia County: Montgomery, Delaware, Chester, Berks, and Bucks Counties. These are all now considered part of the Phila suburbs. Part of South Jersey as well as Northern Delaware also are part of the Phila suburbs.
What's to Do?
When a teen tells you "there is nothing to do", they mean they only want to do what they want. It is an excuse. There is plenty to do. Working teens are rare anymore. There is so much money, they don't need to work. There is a worker shortage in most every fast food resturant and small store. Despite all the available activities, teens choose to hang out in the malls or cruise around in their cars. Most parents give their teen a car to get them out of their "hair". Sometimes, giving them a computer works until they are of driving age. Most teens do not want to be controlled. There is plenty of alcohol and people willing to serve it to the teens. Drugs are also a problem in some areas.
Besides one's vocation, there are alot of interesting past-times. Boating is popular. Boats are used on the Schuykill and Delaware River as well as at the Jersey Shore and the Chesapeakee Bay. There is canoeing on the Brandywine and at Marsh Creek and French Creek state parks. Many spend time in the summer at the Jersey Shore or in the Pocono Mountains. Some venture to the Delaware Shores.
The Jersey Shore offers many places of interest. If it's not a week, month, or all summer long stay, it may be a day or weekend. You can pick from Atlantic City and its Casinos to Ocean City and its family atmosphere and BoardWalk or Wildwood and the lively atmosphere at its BoardWalk. There are quieter places like Sea Isle City, Long Beach Island, Cape May, or Avalon.
There is plenty to do at home too. A visit to the Art Museum, Franklin Institute, Phila's Waterfront, or Phila's South Street are common past times. There are plenty of night clubs all over.
Phila has a new Convention Center and there are events going on year long. There are sporting events including the Phillies, the Sixers, and Eagles. There are college and high school sporting events as well.
There is Bowling in every community. Roller Skating and Ice Skating are still available if you want to travel. Many of the rinks (90%) have closed up because of high liability insurance. There are still some private swim clubs around. There is swimming at Marsh Creek Park.
You can find a YMCA in many communities with all they have to offer.
Many schools have weekly or monthly dances. Attendance is not great.
There is Little League and soccer leagues.
Many communities have parks and open space, but they are little used. They are built in part to fend off developement.
There are popular amusement parks in Jersey and at Hershey and Allentown, each about 90 minutes away..
Resturants and Steak Houses are very popular, particularly Saturday Night. There are plenty of them too.
There is still an occassional entertainment complex that hasn't been closed by high taxes and insurance. The Valley Forge Music Fair is gone, but there are concerts in Fairmont Park and at the Spectrum in Phila.
The Internet occupies many of the youth today. The phone lines are jammed after school and so are the chat rooms.
Personal Notes: I was born and raised along the Main Line. My dad moved his office from Phila to the Main Line suburb of Ardmore. I moved westerly several times from Merion to Devon to Kimberton to Malvern. I was involved with recreation (indoor roller skating) for 15 years. I know where people go when they were not our our rink. I sold property because of increased value, insurance, and high taxes and will do it again. I have "been there and done that".
I am now in the computer business. Although the computers have kept the economy alive for many years, I believe they (along with the Internet) may help destroy the future economy. Lost local taxes and closing of many wholesale and retail establishments may follow shortly. It's already started. If enough of these businesses close because of the Internet, local economies will be hurt. Local Taxes will again increase. Commerce on the Internet must be taxed to save the economy!
The best thing a parent could do is teach their kids some values, which are certainly lacking. This includes having them work for money and making them purchase their own cars instead of giving them one. Schools are not much better. No morals are taught. No wonder there are so many problems with many youth.
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