Looking into a move to Philadelphia with kids. Questions! (Chester: homes, private school)

[chrissys74]

hi there. We are looking into a few places to move with our family. We have always been drawn to this area so I hope someone can answer some questions. We like Chester County but open to other areas. So my main questions are:

1) were are the very family oriented areas?

2) Our kids are in montessori school and I would like to continue that through middle or high school. We are open to public if the schools are really really good otherwise we will go private or homeschool

3) I would love a nice quaint town with a ball field, a little "downtown" type area, lots for the kids to do.

4) within an hour to downtown Philadelphia where my husband would be working (are there trains/buses?)


Any info would be appreciated! Thanks!!

[PhillyIndy]

I would look at Media, the mainline, or for a slightly more intown feel, chestnut hill.

Philly has great schools both private and public.

[frankgn87]

Philly has horrible school in the private sector. I think you meant that. Anyway.. If you want good public schools look at south jersey, and the Philly burbs.. They are all within an hour of center city(its not called downtown)

[newmarlig]

Originally Posted by frankgn87

Philly has horrible school in the private sector. I think you meant that. Anyway.. If you want good public schools look at south jersey, and the Philly burbs.. They are all within an hour of center city(its not called downtown)

Don't you mean horrible schools in the public sector? Not always true, but that's besides the point.

[frankgn87]

Originally Posted by newmarlig

Don't you mean horrible schools in the public sector? Not always true, but that's besides the point.

oh crap.. I meant that. thanks.. Philly public school(at the HS level) are generally very bad.. and in no way can compete with the public schools in the burbs.

[tarp]

Quaint town... Haddonfield... Moorestown... Jenkintown... Media... too many to list. Every town has a ballfield.

[frankgn87]

I would also recommend Haddonfield NJ or Moorestown NJ

[templeu]

Originally Posted by frankgn87

I would also recommend Haddonfield NJ or Moorestown NJ

How have these towns been affected by NJ budget cuts to education? NJ schools (Haddonfield & Moorestown in particular) are historically great (and by all accounts still first rate), but as a resident (with no kids) I wonder what's going to happen if funding is cut/ continues to be cut. My property taxes were simultaneously raised this year as funding to public services (schools included) were cut... annoying. I'm having a hard time recommending NJ to folks b/c of this uncertainty.

[chrissys74]

thank you. We are looking at the burbs since we have kids and I would love to know of a great montessori private school that goes at least through elementary.

Thanks!

[frankgn87]

Originally Posted by templeu

How have these towns been affected by NJ budget cuts to education? NJ schools (Haddonfield & Moorestown in particular) are historically great (and by all accounts still first rate), but as a resident (with no kids) I wonder what's going to happen if funding is cut/ continues to be cut. My property taxes were simultaneously raised this year as funding to public services (schools included) were cut... annoying. I'm having a hard time recommending NJ to folks b/c of this uncertainty.

so far we have not seen any downsides to budget cuts.. We have fiends who live in the pa philly burbs and their taxes went up as well. And the local schools had budget cuts too. Its a thing we all have to deal with..