Best Suberbs of Philadelphia? (Scranton, Chester: cul-de-sac, real estate, rental)

[lmarcos1]

We are considering a move to the Philadelphia area. Many people have recommended Chester County. My husband will try to get a transfer to the Veterns Admin. Hospital in Philadelphia (he is a Registered Nurse - Intensive Care). In reading the message boards it appears that there are also several nice areas besides Chester County that are in commuting distance from the VA Hospital and the city of Philadelphia. So far Chester County is our first choice. We are looking for a newer home ranging from $325,000 to $425,00. Any other areas we should consider besides Chester County? We also would like a good school system for our 15 and 16 year old kids, to be close to shopping malls and restaurants and able to commute to NYC in less than 31/2 hours. We have rental properties in Queens NYC and have to make a trip there at least twice a month.

Appreciate any feedback.

Linda

[ScranBarre]

Bucks County, to the northeast of Philadelphia and across the Delaware River from Trenton, NJ, would probably shave nearly an hour off of your Philly-NYC commute. The county, just like the rest of the Philly 'burbs, has a very "drab" feel to it, with a lot of safe yet eerily-familiar cookie-cutter housing developments with cul-de-sacs that all bleed onto narrow country roads that were never intended to handle the amount of traffic they now do.

Towns such as Doylestown, Newtown, and Ambler often come up as being "ideal" places to live for one reason or another. I know that Bucks County tends to be a bit "steeper" than Chester County as far as real estate is concerned, but it may still be a viable contender. You may be interested in locating in a town in Bucks County that is serviced by SEPTA, as traffic in and out of Philly can be absolutely horrendous at times! I only visit the Philly area a few times each year, so perhaps others can enlighten you more on Bucks County as an option? ;o)

[ScranBarre]

Actually, Ambler is in Montgomery County. Sorry about the error!

[William shivers]

well chester county probably gives you the furthest communte to philly and NY. Versus Delaware county, havertown, marple, broomall all great areas and good schools. Montgomery county, blue bell, merion, also good areas and good schools, bucks has some great areas also as mentioned above. All have public trans to philly, trains. For chester county i would look at chadds ford, paoli, devon areas though they are a bit pricer but nice.

[Lissa]

Philly has some of the best, suburbs in the country ( with the exception of areas like chester,camden,etc). I'm pretty sure youll find something you like.

[soulsurv]

Originally Posted by ScrantonWilkesBarre

Bucks County, to the northeast of Philadelphia and across the Delaware River from Trenton, NJ, would probably shave nearly an hour off of your Philly-NYC commute. The county, just like the rest of the Philly 'burbs, has a very "drab" feel to it, with a lot of safe yet eerily-familiar cookie-cutter housing developments with cul-de-sacs that all bleed onto narrow country roads that were never intended to handle the amount of traffic they now do.

While I agree with the traffic statement, I don't think our Philly burbs are drab at all. Many have a culture rich in history and artistic aspirations, and there are some of the most gorgeous buildings and architecture around in the Tri-county area (Bucks, Chester and Delaware counties). I can speak mostly for my county (Delaware County) whereby Media, Wallingford/Swarthmore, Broomall and Radnor provide EXCELLENT school districts and shoulc be able to meet your price range (if you don't want a huge home). Sure, we have our cookie-cutter developments, particularly since this last 5-year spurt in home building, but we also have some of the most beautiful stone and masonary constructrions to be found. Take the time to drive through the college town of Swarthmore, and see what I mean.

[soulsurv]

Check this web address out! You could probably pick this beauty up for 355-360. Beautiful construction on a lovely HALF ACRE, within a mile or two of one of the oldest working farms in PA: Linvilla Orchards: come for their Fall events and browse around for a bit. It's a great place.

(broken link)

[soulsurv]

(broken link)[/quote]

Just for the record, Yac, I'm NOT a realtor but was sharing a specific example of what the original poster could envision in a particular suburb. I would think that examples would be most helpful.

[Yac]

Originally Posted by soulsurv

Just for the record, Yac, I'm NOT a realtor but was sharing a specific example of what the original poster could envision in a particular suburb. I would think that examples would be most helpful.

Trust me, it's not that easy to check almost 500 posts daily, not to mention checking every link and wondering if you are realtor or not. That's why I remove all links to realtor or mls websites .