Best Places to Live in PA?? (Pittsburgh, Bethlehem: apartment, to rent, condo) - City-Data Forum

FeFe01 · 07-20-2009, 10:29 AM

Hello,

I am a 26 year old female from NJ, and my hubby and I are relocating to PA for his job. We have a 5 month old baby and I just want to know what are some of the best areas for young families or families with young children in PA. We dont really know too much about the area. We are looking for a nice 3 bedroom 2 bath townhome or apartment to rent for $1000 - $1400 a month close to NJ or within 2 hours of NJ. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

When are you moving? SOME TIME IN 2010
Where are you coming from? PISCATAWAY NJ
Why are you moving? HUSBAND IS GETTING JOB WITH PA LAW ENFORCEMENT
Where will you be working? NOT SURE YET HUBBY'S NEW JOB WILL PLACE HIM CLOSE TO WHERE EVER WE MOVE TO
Have you been here yet? I HAVE BEEN TO A FEW PLACES IN PA ON VACATION BUT NEVER LIVED IN PA

Will you buy or rent? LOOKING TO RENT BUT MAY BUY IF RENT IS JUST AS MUCH AS MORTGAGE
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend? TOWNHOUSE $1000 - $1400 A MONTH
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend? TOWNHOUSE $1000 - $1400 A MONTH
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up? WALK UP

Are you married or single? Do you have children? MARRIED 5 MONTH OLD BABY
Do you prefer public or private schools? PUBLIC
Do you have pets? NO
Do you want or need a yard? YES
Are you keeping a car? YES 2 CARS BUT A GARAGE IS NOT NECESSARY
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN OR A SUBURB CLOSE TO A CITY OR ACTIVITES

What do you want to be closest to? WORK, SHOPPING AND BASIC SERVICES, ESPECIALLY A WALMART...LOL
Work
Shopping
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.)
Nightlife
Train or subway stations

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? I WOULD LIKE TO LIVE IN A NEIGHBORHOOD WITH OTHER FAMILIES THAT HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN

Synergy1 · 07-20-2009, 10:32 AM

PA is huge and it is more likely to better accomidate you if you narrow your request and tell us where his job is located....Thanks and good luck.

FeFe01 · 07-20-2009, 11:05 AM

Ummm we really dont know where we are moving. My hubby is getting a job with pa law enforcemenet and they will place you close to where you live so we are trying to figure out where we want to live so we can tell them. We are looking at the area 2 hours or less close to nj

Trailrunner79 · 07-21-2009, 05:16 PM

State College, PA is a great area (2.5 hours from NJ/Del Water Gap), Pittsburgh, North Central PA, Carlisle...avoid Johnstown if you can.

Love2Golf09 · 07-24-2009, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FeFe01

Ummm we really dont know where we are moving. My hubby is getting a job with pa law enforcemenet and they will place you close to where you live so we are trying to figure out where we want to live so we can tell them. We are looking at the area 2 hours or less close to nj

Check out some nice places around the Lehigh Valley. Emmaus and Macugnie are pretty nice. If you can't find any nice apts there, or if it is out of your price range, check out whitehall. I believe part of Whitehall is in the Parkland sd, which I'm sure is important since you have kids, and it is very reasonable price-wise. State College is nice, but it is kind of out there, really in the middle of the state. I am not that familiar with Hershey, Lebanon, and Harrisburg, but I hear good things about them, as well as York and Lancaster. Those are all popular areas that you should check out. Bethlehem is very nice, but I dont care much for their schools.

jerrypa76 · 08-15-2009, 10:15 AM

Definately West Chester, PA, Lancaster, PA or Bethlehem, PA (If your looking to stay on the eastern side of the state)......But, I would chose Pittsburgh, PA area - like Wexford area (suburb) or Shadyside neighborhood.

PA-native71 · 10-20-2009, 11:02 PM

If not too late take a look at the Parker,PA and surrounding area quiet area decent school affordable homes for the sq/ft some homes in the area go for as low as 24,000 grand and on up of decent size and a real yard close to the Allegheny River and if you love the outdoors alot of places to hike ,fish ,go camping boating and if into hunting game lands are literally a short drive away (plus the kids get the first Monday of deer season off from school),if you want shopping there is literally under an hours drive some decent shopping ,the Outlet Mall outside of Grove City which is a nice place to shop too,the city of Butler ,Clarion and Pittsburgh is only an hour 15 to an hour and half away so you are close to major league sports ,Pirates ,Steelers and the Penguins and nice place to getaway to for the weekend . Now if you want a real nice getaway Niagara Falls is 2 to 3 hours at the most drive and a neat place to go for a last minute getaway ,now for law enforcement there is literally several State Police Barracks within an hour drive and above all it is peaceful and can actually feel safe there .hopes that helps good luck with your hunt

louisianaboy987 · 09-08-2010, 06:33 PM

i'd suggest somewhere in the chester county/delaware county area. really nice area in the country. chadds fords a great place to live. near West Chester and Kennett Square and only 30 minutes outside of Philly (depending on I95 traffic) and also 45 minutes to an hour from the bridge to jersey
lancaster county is also a very nice place to live which is about 30 minutes west of chadds ford (if yall can handle the amish and extreme country living then lancaster county is the perfect place for yall) and also is in a great Unionville school district and also many other great schools around
also near great Philly teams (E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES! PHILLIES and Flyers)