Planning a NJ to PA move- has anyone done it!? (Camden: rent, buying a house)

[MApplegate1202]

My husband and I just started a family and have been talking about moving to PA to get away from the crazy, high populated, expensive NJ lifestyle.
We will probably rent a house/apt for a year just to make sure we enjoy the area before buying a house.
Does anyone have any ideas of what towns in PA we should be looking at?
All of our family are located in central Jersey, as well as my husband's job, so we don't want to move too far!
I am completely unfamiliar with the PA area and would love some help!!
Also- would are the Pros and Cons between PA and Jersey?
Has anyone made this move!?

Thank you!

[Badfish740]

Originally Posted by MApplegate1202

All of our family are located in central Jersey, as well as my husband's job, so we don't want to move too far!

I think this will be your main problem. That basically limits you to Bucks and Montgomery Counties, which by virtue of their close proximity to New Jersey and Philadelphia have similar home prices, property taxes, etc...

[DowntownJerseyCity]

Originally Posted by Badfish740

I think this will be your main problem. That basically limits you to Bucks and Montgomery Counties, which by virtue of their close proximity to New Jersey and Philadelphia have similar home prices, property taxes, etc...

I have a friend that moved to Perkasie (Bucks Co.) and it's dirt cheap living. The schools seem good, not spectacular, but good. His commute to Scotch Plains is an hour and 15.

I do know he pays about 3K/year in taxes on a 2500sf home with 2 acres.

[marye711]

I did I did!!! We moved in August and was back in NJ by March...need I say more? Its a totally differesnt world...kinda reminded me of twighlight zone........and the schools stunk!!

[solibs]

Where do you live now? "Central Jersey" is a pretty broad swath of the state.

I did. Well, I moved from Monmouth Co. to Camden Co. Which was easy enough. It feels like home but it's also a lot different in refreshing ways - people are a lot more laid back, less status obsessed, the cost of housing is a good deal lower and commutes are shorter. It's also much easier to enjoy the city here. NYC is such a PITA to get into and out of and to get around in.

I later moved to Philly. I've spent a lot of time traveling Bucks and Montgomery for work. There are a few places I could live in MontCo and nowhere in Bucks. If I wanted to move to the suburbs I would go back to NJ.

I would consider moving to Burlington County before I moved to PA. If you're from Monmouth, Ocean or Mercer I would even consider Camden Co. or Gloucester Co.

[MoorestownResident]

Originally Posted by marye711

I did I did!!! We moved in August and was back in NJ by March...need I say more? Its a totally differesnt world...kinda reminded me of twighlight zone........and the schools stunk!!

My brother is doing the same thing, coming back to NJ. PA became a huge adjustment and the schools were not at all what they were billed to be. I would never move to PA, not even the Main Line of the Philly burbs. You just give up way too much IMO. I'm a fast talkin' Jersey guy, PA people are different. Plus you don't move from a town like Moorestown unless a job relo. Even then, you might not move if your spouse works.

[Schmare528]

Originally Posted by MApplegate1202

My husband and I just started a family and have been talking about moving to PA to get away from the crazy, high populated, expensive NJ lifestyle.
We will probably rent a house/apt for a year just to make sure we enjoy the area before buying a house.
Does anyone have any ideas of what towns in PA we should be looking at?
All of our family are located in central Jersey, as well as my husband's job, so we don't want to move too far!
I am completely unfamiliar with the PA area and would love some help!!
Also- would are the Pros and Cons between PA and Jersey?
Has anyone made this move!?

Thank you!

We moved to PA from NJ about 3 years ago and we absolutely love it We ended up in Berks county. Although I do miss jersey now and then especially when I visit family and friends but where we live we have so many friends, the housing was waaay cheaper and our school district is good. We enjoy the slower pace of life especially since we have three kids Good luck with your decision

[shannybannany]

When we moved back to NJ this past Feb, we seriously thought about PA. I am originally from Monmouth County and I always thought (sorry to any PA people) PA was um...different.
We settled in Cherry Hill and although pricey, we absolutely love it here.
Good Luck!
Shanny

[Schmare528]

Originally Posted by shannybannany

When we moved back to NJ this past Feb, we seriously thought about PA. I am originally from Monmouth County and I always thought (sorry to any PA people) PA was um...different.
We settled in Cherry Hill and although pricey, we absolutely love it here.
Good Luck!
Shanny

I used to live in Cherry Hill! It was great And I live in Pa now but I agree it is "different" however we made friends with people more like us, lol Jersey like

[MApplegate1202]

Thank you everyone for the advice thus far! It's been an eye opener lol