Relocating to Philly Area (Philadelphia, New Castle: best schools, college, property taxes)

[Warrick2007]

My wife and I with two small children are relocating to Philly area. With my job I will have occasional travel to Whitemarsh and Wyndmoor. I will also have to travel by air often so being close to the airport is a plus.

Schools would be the top priority and we are looking to get something nice 4br/2bth in the 300k-400k range for a SFR. I was hoping for some comments from readers on what communities would make the most sense. We would prefer suburbs over city living.

Thank you

[rainrock]

Whitemarsh+ Wyndmoor are NW of Philly. The airport is SW of Philly. I would suggest living somewhere in the middle ground. The good news is this general area is where the best schools are located, the bad news is that its -not surprisingly- very expensive/high property taxes.

Top School districts to check out Lower Merion, Radnor, Great Valley, Tredyffrin-Eastown,RoseTree-Media,Wallingford-Swarthmore.

Towns to check into if being close to Whitemarsh is most important:

Lafayette Hill
Plymouth Meeting
Upper Merion
Collegeville
East+ West Norriton

Towns to checkout if being close to Wyndmoor is most important:

Horsham(rated #15 Money Magazine top 100 towns 2007)
Flourtown
Springfield (Montgomery County)
Chestnut Hill

Towns to checkout if schools are most important:These towns are also closest to the airport.

Wayne
Paoli
Devon
Tredyffrin Township
Malvern
Narberth
Bryn Mawr
Ardmore
Haverford
Havertown
Upper Providence(Delaware County)
Media
Swarthmore
Nether Providence( rated #9 Money magazine best usa towns 2007)
Middletown Township(Delaware County)

Good luck

[Rich Schiffer]

I would suggest that you talk to a Realtor that knows the suburban market. Delaware County is experiencing a bit of a sellers' market right now, while the rest of the suburband counties (with the exception of New Castle County, DE) have retracted to normal market conditions. That said, I would suggest you look at Wallingford (Nether Providence Township). It is located conveniently to I95 and I476. Philadelphia Magazine rated Strath Haven Highschool as the best in Delaware County. Money Magazine recently rated Nether Providence as the 9th best place to live in the U.S.

Good Luck in your search. Maybe we will end up being neighbors!

[mirancs8]

I just sent you a message so check your inbox.

Good luck
Christine