Philly neighborhoods with single family homes and backyard (Philadelphia, New Castle: apartments, rental)

[DougandAmy]

Greetings all,

We are considering relocating to Philly and are looking for some help. I've poured over the boards but haven't found all the info I'm looking for. So many darn people leave out critical details when they are asking for help with neighborhoods. I hope I've included all the right details, but I'm sure I've missed something. Here goes:

We are married, 40, Caucasian, no kids (at least not yet), one dog he's a high energy Boston Terrier. We currently live in Columbus OH. Been in Columbus for about 1.5 years. It's too small for us want to get back to a larger city with more cultural diversity and better job opportunities. Prior to Columbus we lived in the Detroit suburbs most of our lives. No desire to go back to Detroit.

We are considering moving as soon as Oct 2010 for a new job.

We would need to rent a single family home, 3 bedroom 2 bath with backyard and garage. Would like to keep rent in the range of about $1,400 - $1,600 could go higher if we need to.

We both have cars, no plans to get rid of the cars at least not yet.

Ideally we would like a walkable community where we could walk to a city park, maybe a couple bars, restaurants, perhaps a small grocery and public transportation. We prefer older diverse neighborhoods with homes that have unique flavor and character. Cookie cutter is not for us. We don't have kids so right now schools are not a big concern for us, especially if we are only renting.

Priority #1: Single family home with backyard. No row houses or apartments.

Priority #2: Walkable community.

Priority #3: About 30-45 minute commute to City Center.

What neighborhoods/communities fit the bill?

What's a good resource to find single family homes for rent besides Craigslist?

And finally, with regards to living in nearby NJ and/or Delaware should I look to other threads for input on those areas?

Thanks in advance!

[JasmineFlower]

No rowhomes, no apartments, a garage, a backyard, in a diverse community. Do you want to live within the city of Philadelphia or can it be a suburb? Are you considering twins or only completely detached homes?

[BPP1999]

Some parts of Northeast Philadelphia might suit your needs. Just be aware that the Northeast is somewhat suburban and it can easily be 30-40 minutes by car or 20-30 minutes by train or subway to Center City.

Check out this link from Wikipedia re Northeast Philadelphia:

Northeast Philadelphia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[maestro]

I moved here from Columbus as well. is there a Columbus neighorhood/suburb that you are looking to replicate?

[orrmobl]

I think Media would suit your needs quite nicely. If you want in the city, you you have to up your rent or ditch at least one car.

[JasmineFlower]

Even though I agree that some parts of NE Philly would have the type of house you are looking for within the distance, the community doesn't fit your criteria IMO. Not diverse and sections where it is, diversity isn't necessarily living in harmony, and not walkable.

[Tone509]

Look into the West Mount Airy area in NW Philly. You may have to compromise on the detached house part - there's a lot of duplexes - but you may otherwise find what you're looking for.

And yes, check out the Delaware forum as well as the "New Jersey Suburbs of Philly" sub-forum for more specific information on those areas...although a 45 minute commute from the DE state line might be a bit of a stretch.

[Norm Barnes]

I've lived Delaware and PA. Delaware's Housing seems to give more for the money but I chose PA Glen Mills. There's a lure to PA cannot put my finger on it. In Delaware I lived in a community called Fairfield which was near the University of Delaware and you could walk to town. Supermarket was a block away on 896 and further North on 896 going to PA was Carpenter Clay Park which had summer events which was pretty nice and a City Fair with the Old Cars and bands. In the Spring St. Anthony's in Wilmington had a fair with a few bands, amusements, and plenty of food along the lines of the Italian Community where it is located. Old New Castle was rustic and on the Delaware River and had that old Colonial Charm. I thought of living in New Castle which has that non-cookie cutter home some dating prior to the Revolution. They have events including a recreation of a Ball that Lafayette attended and town folk dress for the occasion and its like the Williamstown in VA type venue. Its also close to Greenville which has a corridor running from 141 North on Kennett Pike towards PA which is loaded with some interesting places to visit. In PA along Smithbridge Road near Concordville there are also several interesting homes and borders many farms and interesting spots to visit and provides historic backdrop that can keep you busy on the weekends. If Iwas young as you and your significant other I'd test the waters in Old New Castle but I would have to be a part of it not just live there meaning take active part in the towns events. I think in PA a rental somewhere near Valley Road in Glen Mills travelling Southward towards Smithbridge Road and Eastward towards 202 and across 202 towards Delaware would be the type of place that would interest you. Go into the Concord Township website, then Old New Castle and then Newark Delaware and see if any of those places excite your interest. Happy Hunting. PS if you Golf there are several clubs in those areas.

[mickie8]

a few areas come to mind -
philly neighborhoods: chestnut hill (pricey), manayunk, roxborough
pa suburbs: media, haverford
nj neighborhoods: collingswood, haddonfield (pricey), haddon heights

i lived in columbus for a while yeeeeears ago - i'm sure you know that it's a lot more expensive here but you will make more.

my hubby and i are also 40, we moved from philly 10 years ago to mullica hill, nj (also check out swedesboro) - it has some issues (traffic, road construction) but it's s nice community, a few good restaurants in town but it's dry so no bars. you get a lot more for your money out here. i drive to work in center city eveyday - it's about 35 minute (25 miles). it's a mix of old homes downtown (where we live), new construction and farms.

worth looking at. good luck!

[steffannni]

I like Mt Airy or Chestnut Hill for you. For Ch Hill, you may need to up your rent parameters. You can rent a single - get a nice yard, walk to coffee shops, bookstores, pubs, restaurants. There are parks with summer concerts. Chestnut Hill even has a dog park called Pastorious (this is also where the free summer concerts are - just watch you sit!

In Ch Hill and Mt Airy the people are very much into the community - lots of pride. Mount Airy is kind of crunchy, granola....culturally and ethnically diverse....some call it the PhD ghetto because of the high education level of the people there....but its not snobbish, which is what makes it so attractive. A great realtor for the Ch Hill / Mt Airy area is Elfant Wissahickon. I can help with questions if you PM me. (I am not a realtor).

Also, just outside of Philly city limits, look into Jenkintown borough.