Just been offered a new job in Quakertown, coming from NC (Philadelphia: for sale, real estate)

[oldfordtrk1]

I have just been offered a good job with a good company in Quakertown PA. I have lived in the SE US all my life and currently live in Greenville NC. I am currently unemployeed with two small children. My wife and I are not sure about moving to Quakertown or to PA for that matter but with economics being what they are... we must make a decision. Could anyone give any advice on what to expect, school systems, healthcare, cost of living, or other advice on which town/city might be better to live in and why.

Thanks,
Ol'Truck

[toobusytoday]

Quakertown is a nice town. It has a new library, big park and good schools. You could live there or choose any of the towns surrounding Quakertown and you wouldn't go wrong. I live about 10 minutes North of Quakertown in the Southern Lehigh School district but go to Quakertown often to shop. The only thing that's kind of funny about Quakertown is that it's on the very northern edge of what's considered suburban Philadelphia and just south of the Lehigh Valley, so the newspapers in both areas as well as the tv stations kind of give it short shrift unless there's remarkably bad weather, a murder, or a school strike.

I hope you will come up and look around, I think you will like it.

[Gerania]

I think that you'll be OK. I've been through Quakertown a number of times (never lived there) and thought that it was nice. There's a new stores/new houses area, a more traditional, old downtown area, and some very old, historic buildings surrounded by old housing stock which is mixed, meaning some pretty good and some places that you wouldn't want to live = the other side of the tracks. It seems like a 'regular' place. It's surround by some beautiful countryside and not far from a very nice state park. Pennsylvania State Parks - Nockamixon - PA DCNR

I grew up in NEPA and lived in North Carolina for about 9 years. It was a little bit of a shock to me when I moved there: it was hotter, the food was a bit different, and sometimes people went about things in a different way. I eventually got used to all of the differences and came to love things about my new home. I still miss the fish fry's, pig pickin's, a nice day on the beach in October, people garage sitting cabana style. I missed many things from my home when I was there, but there were new things to be found and learned and had.

You could do worse than Quakertown and if you buy a good coat, you might even come to like it.

[JohnZ963]

You've got a lot of living options in the Quakertown area. What type of home would you be looking for? Apartment? Townhouse? Newer house in a suburban development? Rural house on a few acres? That will help narrow down some of the areas you might be interested in.

[oldfordtrk1]

I perfer to live out of town within driving distance to Bethlehem. My son will require services in Bethlehem and I will need to commute to Quakertown. Need a 3 bedroom home, 2000-2400 sq ft. in suburban development or rural. I need to get started if I am going to make an informed decision. I have been told the cost of living is somewhat more expensive in this area.

[toobusytoday]

Southern Lehigh is right in between Bethlehem and Quakertown as is Saucon Valley School district. I don't know what the housing prices are like in your area so cannot compare. Generally, houses are less expensive in Lehgh and Northampton counties then in Bucks where Quakertown is located. You can get an idea of the prices by going to these sites: Real Estate, Homes, New Construction, Mortgages, Classifieds, Newspaper Classifieds from Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and the Lehigh Valley in The Morning Call and mcall.com -- themorningcall.com and craigslist: lehigh valley classifieds for jobs, apartments, personals, for sale, services, community, and events

[JohnZ963]

Originally Posted by oldfordtrk1

I perfer to live out of town within driving distance to Bethlehem. My son will require services in Bethlehem and I will need to commute to Quakertown. Need a 3 bedroom home, 2000-2400 sq ft. in suburban development or rural. I need to get started if I am going to make an informed decision. I have been told the cost of living is somewhat more expensive in this area.

You might want to check out Richland Township (the part north of Quakertown borough), Milford Township, Springfield Township (may be too expensive), and Upper Saucon Township. Any of these townships should put you within 15-20 minutes of either Bethlehem or Quakertown. There are a lot of expensive homes in those areas unfortunately, but there are also some reasonable ones. A newer home that meets your criteria is probably over $300,000 but you can find some older ones for less.

[oldfordtrk1]

Thanks everyone who replyed. At the last minute they pulled their job offer. Guess I won't have to make that move after all. Thanks again all.