Desperate to leave NJ! Need help in the PA area (Philadelphia: low income, apartments)

[Ms_Thompson24]

Hello, I have been looking to relocate for a few months now and dont have a definite location in mind. Might sound crazy but I just want out of NJ, with a fresh start for myself and my children. As a newly single mother, its pretty tough to hang on in NJ. Originally I wanted to go south, like VA but have since considered PA that way Im still some what close to my family. I found quite a few places that I really liked on apartments.com, they were in Greensburg, Youngwood, Bridgeville... however I didnt realize these places are still 6hours away, might as well just continue to VA! Can anyone assist me with areas a little closer to NJ but not quite the hustle and bustle of Philly? I am not familiar with the area and only know some names like reading and easton from hearsay but know nothing about the areas. I currently live in "low income housing" in NJ so I wonder if the PA area's normal rent is in that range ($775-800 area) Toss out some ideas! thanks!

[SteelCityRising]

Unfortunately the Eastern 1/3 of Pennsylvania isn't that much cheaper these days than most of NJ because so many people from NJ/NYC that earn more than you in particular do and ALSO want "cheaper" moved here to pay slightly less than those inflated NJ/NYC prices and drove the cost-of-living in Eastern PA up as a result.

Bucks County is expensive. The Lehigh Valley is relatively expensive. The city proper of Philadelphia can tend to be expensive for the "nice" areas while most slummy areas that will be cheaper will also be higher crime. I'd recommend maybe the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area to you if you're looking for the most affordable option that's still close to NJ. It's a 90-minute drive or so to most parts of NJ from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and the area is cheap because it's economically-depressed.

[bigben1234]

I also recommend looking at Scranton/Wilkes Barre. Also consider Lebanon and York Counties.

[E-Z-B]

Frackville's cheap.

[blazerj]

Lehigh Valley?

[toobusytoday]

Originally Posted by blazerj

Lehigh Valley?

Anything in that range is going to be a small apartment in a city, so not much better I don't think.

[teachbeach]

Either Lancaster or York county might work, but stay out of the city's school systems. Check out western Lancaster (Columbia, Mt. Joy, Manhiem Central) or eastern York (Eastern, Northeastern) school districts are decent. Perhaps someone can speak for the eastern school districts of Lancaster (Pequa Valley? Conestoga?)

[RightonWalnut]

You could probably swing Upper Bucks or the Lehigh Valley. You could probably do parts of Delaware County as well if you want to stay in Eastern, PA.

[cremebrulee]

Shawnee on the Delaware

[Ms_Thompson24]

Thanks everyone for the responses. It really doesnt seem that much cheaper from what Ive seen but I will look at the other areas you have suggested. I have also branched out to looking into Maryland. I really am not a fan of NJ. All of this research is getting depressing!