Help! Moving From South Texas to SouthEast Area of PA! (Philadelphia: crime, townhomes)

[satown]

We are a family of five preparing to move to PA in April. We have three kids - ages 14, 3, and 1. Our family has always lived in San Antonio, TX and we are excited to make the move. We need your help, though...

What do we absolutely need to prepare for?

Weather
Apparel
Culture (shock, maybe?)
People
Crime
Environment

We have to relocate within a 30 mile radius of the Red Hill, Finland, Green Lane area. I believe that is (kind of) in between Allentown and Philadelphia.

Thank you for any advice you can spare!

[Icy Tea]

Weather: People say Pa is hot and humid in the summer, but to me only only compared to the upper midwest/Great Lakes area. I had relatives visit who said 85 degrees was hot( they're near Lake Erie). I was enjoying the warmth and anything shy of 90 to me is nice. Its March 1st and we're getting 6 inches of snow, not uncommon until early April.
Crime: Green lane is in the sticks for Montgomery County( far NW). Its in the middle of nowhere but is also a relatively easy commute to places of interest. Its not built up and is pretty rural so crime is low. Allentown and Reading have bad crime, but that is almost only in the city. Crimes drops dramatically at the city of Reading's edge, I would think Allentown is the same. Norristown is crime ridden, Pottstown is too. Crime follows the 222 and 422 corridors from NJ according to state crime fighting sources.
Culture Shock/People: Pretty laid back, "real" and down to earth. Not hickish or redneckish but sort of yokelish. The worst you'll encounter are people who TRY to pretend they're hip, tough and cool and want you to think they're from NYC. Obviously they aren't any of those things or they'd still be in NYC. And the escapees from NJ who weren't happy there and aren't happy here. Pa people are kind of cool and distant but very helpful and generous. That might be a dutch/ amish/ mennonite thing. They aren't nasty, though.
Lots and lots of good places to live within 30 miles of Greenlane. Maybe not so much southeast, since home prices rise sharply, sprawl increases as do taxes, but then you're closer to more areas for shopping and activities. Go west or north and you get more rural and run into more farms and open space.
Hope that helps some, and welcome to Pa. BTW, We don't say Pennsylvania, we say P A.

[rainrock]

I would recommend the Doylestown area(excellent schools) or the Valley Forge/Plymouth Meeting/King of Prussia/Collegeville area.

Typical fast pace gritty East Coast culture shock is more associated with the areas immediately in or around the big cities. As ICY mentioned you are out in the country in Red Hill, if anything it may be a slower pace than what you are used to in San Antonio. Red Hill would be a Little too slow for me thats why I recommended areas more centrally located more vibrant.You may enjoy Red Hill its all about personal preference. The closer you get to Philadlephia the faster pace things become.

Weather. The past 10 years the winters have gotten milder and milder but its still no paradise. The avg highs in Jan-Feb are around 35 degrees lows in the low 20's. There is currently a winter storm warning in Philadlephia for 7-17 inches of snow. The Spring is absolutely incredible, Mid July- Mid august brutally humid (thankfully only 2 hours to the refreshing surf of South Jersey) Falls are spectacularly refreshing.

This is an idea of your potential new home, this photo looks like it was snapped somewhere right around Red Hill. Nice pleasant place but fairly remote.Get used to seeing the color green.

[r3sunz]

Green lane is a bit out of the way from the big city but w/in a reasonable distance you have alot to offer. Not sure of your price range in housing but the Green Lane area is quite affordable compared to towns not too far from there.

[satown]

I would like to say thanks to all that have posted. We really appreciate any and all advice that we can get. As you can guess coming from TX we will be out of our element during the winter!!! For now we will be in the Valley Forge area at least until we can sell our home, but I think Red Hill/Pennsburg/Perkasie/Doylestown/Quakertown area will probably be where we end up. Any one have any suggestions on some townhomes with 2car garages? PM me if you have any suggestions.

Thanks,
Art

[Stephanie P]

Wanted to put my 2 cents in satown. I was raised in North Texas, have lived outside of Houston for 5+ years, and my sister has lived in San Antonio for the past 11 years.
My husband and I visited PA last month for a house-hunting trip. We were in the Sinking Spring, Wyomissing (outside of Reading) area.
We loved the weather - it was actually cold there, compared to Houston. Everyone we met was so friendly and answered all our questions. We drove around the area for 2 days, just looking at everything.
First, be prepared for the cost of living increase, it is significant. We would have to pay almost double to have a home there similar to ours here. They also have a state income tax, but the property taxes are cheaper. One really great thing...I went shopping while there, and they have no tax on clothing!!!
In the end, we decided to pass on this opportunity. Not because of PA, we found out it would be an entirely different position for my husband than what he has. I am so sad about this, but I could not ask him to do that for me.
I wish you the best of luck! I know you will love it there!
On a personal note: I had the best cheesesteak at Tony Luke's in Philly. Get it with cheese whiz. I know it sounds weird, but it is so much better with whiz than with provolone.