Work in Trevose where to live - mainline or bucks? (Philadelphia: apartment, condos)

[corporategypsy]

Hi,

My family will be moving to the Philly area in August and I'm trying to identify areas to live. High on the list is Doylestown and Newtown, but I'd like to know if there are any towns on the main line that might offer a decent commute to Trevose as well (25-35 minutes). Schools and safety are top priorities as I have two small children, but would also love to be in a walkable, semi-urban community. Thanks!

[FindingZen]

Lancaster Avenue (Route 30) is the main drag of the generally upper-middle/upper-income Main Line. Ardmore, Bryn Mawr and Wayne each have particularly walkable areas along this stretch. The general consensus on this forum is that the school districts here are excellent although more kids than average may have a sense of entitlement.

You're looking at perhaps 45-60 minutes on average from the Main Line communities to Trevose...and that's if the traffic on the turnpike (I-276) cooperates.

[corporategypsy]

Thanks for the info, that's definitely too long of a commute. Any suggestions on another community?

[Wisertime]

Check the area around Jenkintown, Rydal, Abington, Willow Grove, Elkins Park, Glenside or along Huntingdon Pike. They are all within 30 min drive. Ambler might also be an option. All can offer a decent balance between walkability and driving. Plenty of shopping, good schools (I hear), friendly people and safe areas, quaint homes of various price ranges.

Just keep one little detail in mind...276 has only two exits between Willow Grove and NJ...Bristol rt 13 and Route 1. Totally idiotic if you ask me. Plus it's a toll road.

You still might consider Doylestown, New Hope, but I don't know enough about them to offer advice.

[kimrocktherealtor]

Walkable downtown communities within a half hour from Trevose:

Langhorne Boro (Neshaminy schools) - 15 min to Trevose
Doylestown Boro (Central Bucks schools) - 30 min to Trevose
Newtown Boro (Council Rock schools) - 20 min to Trevose
Yardley Boro (Pennsbury Schools) - 15-20 min to Trevose

You've basically got the top school districts right there, as well as some great walkable towns filled with parks, activities, fairs, etc.

[Angus215]

newtown and yardley would be good places to start. also maybe some of the southern MontCo areas listed. Doylestown would be really far - i think 30 minutes is a stretch. probably closer to 45 minutes. Doylestown is pretty far from just about everything. if it were me personally, i'd want a shorter commute since there are so many closer alternatives.

[bryson662001]

Stick with Lower Makefield Township or Yardley, assuming you can afford it, and you won't go wrong. It is probably the best area in Bucks County and one of the best in the metro. The commute to Trevose is a breeze . Use Zip 19067 on www.realtor.com to see what is available. It is also close to Oxford Valley area which is a major shopping hub with branches of most every store in the world. Forget about the mainline, it is very over-rated
Lower Makefield Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(The housing crash hit Philadelphia relativly late and places like LM are still a buyers market. Don't be afraid to offer way below asking price)

[corporategypsy]

Thanks for your great suggestions, I will check these out in the next few weeks when we arrive....just in time for the fall!

[JHG722]

Originally Posted by bryson662001

Forget about the mainline, it is very over-rated

Why, because you can't afford to live here?

[bryson662001]

Originally Posted by JHG722

Why, because you can't afford to live here?

Don't be silly. I could buy my Rittenhouse Square luxury apartment for half the price in Wynnewood or Bala-Cynwyd. (I have priced them. I don't know why condos in the suburbs are so under valued, but they are.) If you want suburbia, I just think the Main Line is too old and too crowded.