Family with young kids, town house, apt or single family...? (Allentown: apartments, lease)

[kmom]

Need your advice.

What is the best type of housing for a family with 2 young children.

Is a town house or apt or single family house or (any other?) a better choice.

From the threads that I have read, it seems like we should stay away from city/downtown areas.

Greatly appreciate your help.

[talk2u]

What area of PA are you considering?

[metmom006]

I can only tell you about delaware county. You'd be fine in a twin or single here with 2 kids, even some rowhomes/townhomes as they are now called. Plus it depends on what you can afford.

[toobusytoday]

I think that most people would prefer a single home but as metmom says, it's really about what you can afford. Single family homes are always more expensive then rowhomes with the following exceptions - if they are way out in the country, if they need extensive repairs or if they are in a very bad part of town. Townhouses suggest newer rowhomes. In fact, I think the town houses in my township (less then 5 years old) are well over $200,000. The rowhomes in the borough are probably about half of that.

A realtor will tell you that the three most important things about buying a home are location, location, location. You can have a wonderful house but if it's in a bad school district or a known high crime area it won't be pleasant to live in or easy to sell.

[oldhead]

Townhomes...
When I think of town homes, i think of the word low-maintenance... Theyre usually well-kept, well-lit & clean. They usually have a monthly association fee which covers landscaping, exterior property maintenance, shoveling sidewalks in winter, etc. Basically all u need to worry about is the stuff inside the house & in the driveway (your car ) Cutting down on these things allows for more time for family. Also with children in the house, you will need 2 bathrooms and as much square feet as u can find! Make sure your development/apartment has a park or play area for the children.

Apartments...
Lowest maintenance (usually everything is covered by your lease) but you have shady neighbors, smaller square-footage, a cramped feeling, and a lot of times - low pride in ownership. In my area, we have Apartments and we have Luxury Apartments, the luxury ones have a much nicer crowd than the cheaper ones.

Above all, I think the most important thing to consider is location: You wanna be in a good school district & close to shopping (especially the grocery store).

[Dawne]

See what amenities the neighborhood offers also. Some places will have a pool or playground for your children.

I wouldn't necessarily rule out a decent city/downtown area. If it's nice, with good schools and a park nearby, it could be great for your family.

Bottom line - you have to go and see for yourself.

(My personal preference is a single family home with a nice big yard in a nice neighborhood in a good school district.)

[toobusytoday]

But this poster (kmom) is looking at Allentown and Bethlehem. Neither have good schools.

[Dawne]

Originally Posted by toobusytoday

But this poster (kmom) is looking at Allentown and Bethlehem. Neither have good schools.

It doesn't say that in the original post. I guess I missed something along the way somewhere. Story of my life...

[kmom]

Originally Posted by toobusytoday

But this poster (kmom) is looking at Allentown and Bethlehem. Neither have good schools.

Wow toobusytoday, you have great memory! Looks like Allentown and Bethlehem is out.

Dawen, you didn't miss anything. toobusytoday recalled my much earlier posting

[cljovan]

Kmom, With me, since my husband works on the road and we are in different types of places all the time, I would say single family/yard. It also depends on you. I am the type of Mom that thrives when I can put the kids in the yard. I get crazed by the end of the day in apartments, and the kids thrive with more space interior as well, more choices, beyond going to TV and computer for entertainment: especially because I don't have much time for one on one with them to keep them focused in smaller places. Maybe I am a bad Mom, but I use the exterior a lot and when we don't have it they are not as creative somehow. I DO go out to parks, museums, walking in the woods if we are in smaller homes, but that takes effort too, and if you are not that type to get out, if makes a difference in what you need. Good luck and think about yourself and what you want to create for them and you. Honestly, I am not big on excellent school systems when they are toddlers, it is about home life.