Moving to Montgomery County (Lansdale, Bristol: relocating, housing, rent)

[osutopenn]

My family and I are relocating to the "Lansdale" area from central Ohio. We have two elementary age children. What schools should we be considering as well as pre-schools? My husband will be working in Lansdale so we can live as far as a 45minute commute from there. I am a teacher...what are the chances of me getting a teaching job with 6 years experience and a Masters?
Are property values looking to continue with there upward trend? Help needed from OHIO!

[William shivers]

well lansdale is a very nice area with good schools. north wales, and souderton are close by also have good schools. all 3 areas the price range for homes are about the same. If you look in the quakertown area which is a bit of a drive, under 45 min though, you can find more for your money there. Not to sure about the schools out that way though, not that they're bad just don't know anything about them. Those areas are very nice. you can also check out ambler and the willow grove area. there is more choices of homes in different price ranges. Schools are good and the area is decent, but I think the best areas are immediately around the lansdale section. Prices on homes came back a bit last year but every year you can count on a 3-5% appreciation on the homes in these areas. So yes they are still on the rise but not the 15-20% like back in 2001 thru 2005. You can find a nice single home for under 300,000, twins in the 200,000 range, something brand new in a new development will be 400-600.

[kskblue]

Hi, thanks for the info. We are also relocating to the Lansdale area.....originally from NJ we are currently living in Oklahoma. We have been waiting for return to the east coast for a few years now and are finally making the move. My husband has two job offers he is considering....one in New Wales, PA and another in Bristol, CT. The most important considerations we have are proximity to good medical school (for our oldest daughter) and excellent middle and high schools (for both of our daughters). My youngest daughter also plays ice hockey, so finding a good, solid girl's program in the area is important. Right now we commute 40 mintes to the rink one way and it gets old....anyone who plays (or has a kid that plays) knows how much time you spend at the rink! I am hoping to find a program closer to where we will live. It is also important to find a girls program....my daughter has been playing on an all boys team for 5 years, but as a second year peewee, we realize it is time to find an alternative. (She has also played on a girls travel team, but they are based over 500 miles from us, so she doesn't practice with them, etc, but does get to play in tournaments with the girls occasionally.) Of course, housing costs are a major consideration.....we would like to find a home (3/2/2, approx 1600-1800 sf) for under $300K but it seems in the better school districts this will not be an option. Especially if we are looking for a newer neightborhood. Any advice/suggestions are greatly appreciated......especially if there is anyone out there who knows about the hockey progams in the area......thanks again!

KSK

[William shivers]

well you know univ of penn is considered 1 of the best medical schools in the nation. I myself played hockey thru high school and college and for over 10 years as an adult. Greatest game in the world!! My father hated the rinks, he would always say he froze to death watching me play! LOL
I personally don't know if any of the highschools run girls teams but there maybe something thru the little flyers program. I will check into it and see if there is anything thru them or any of the local rinks. As far as a house goes, something new will be tough to find under 300,000, but you could probably find a good house under 300 with 3/2 in the lansdale area or with 30 minutes. I would think PA would be a cheaper option the CT. I'll get back to you on the girls hockey.

[capsfan6]

My husband and son and I are apparently joining the great emigration to Lansdale. My husband recently took a job with a company in Blue Bell, and in our housing search, we seem to be drawn back to Lansdale.

I was wondering if anyone had any idea about how the daily commute from Lansdale to Blue Bell might be?

Also, we have been looking at the Gristmill Run area, and just had general questions about it. I like the looks of it quite a bit, but haven't spoken to anyone who lives there. Does anyone live there, or near there, and have some opinions?

Thanks very much.
Wendy

[Ohiogirl81]

Lansdale to Blue Bell isn't far at all, capsfan6, although I'm not sure what the rush hour traffic is like. Shouldn't be more than 20 minutes or so.

[capsfan6]

Thanks, Ohiogirl.

We've been up and checked around, and we know it isn't too far, about 20 minutes or so, as you said. Rush hour will be the trick, though. Well, it is what it is. Right now we live in Northern Virginia, and the traffic here is pretty bad a lot of the time. I can't imagine the Lansdale area really compares, which is a good thing.

Capsfan6

[Will Kelly]

Where to start...Lansdale to Blue Bell is less than 10 miles and can be even closer depending on where in Lansdale you live. Most of the traffic is caused with commuters trying to get to the Pennsylvania Turnpike to get to Philly. There are a number of areas to look into with easy access to Blue Bell and affordable housing with good schools.

Girls hockey is growing very rapidly in the North Penn area. There are a number of teams and even a suburban Girls High School League. Your daughter will have many options and you will only have to drive about 15-20 minutes to the home rink.

The Red Hill, Pennsburg, Green Lane, Souderton, Telford and Harleysville areas are all west of Lansdale and offer affordable housing with good schools and a great community feel. There are plenty of homes in these areas under $300,000.

[capsfan6]

Can anyone point me to any web-based (or print, for that matter) employment resources for Montgomery County? I'm not looking at the moment, but probably will after relocating.

Thanks.

[K122002]

I am looking for affordable homes outside of the Blue Bell, PA area. Can anyone provide me with some communities with homes ranging from $200,000 -$275000