Tell me about Mt Airy (Philadelphia, Springfield: relocating, real estate, property taxes)

[Babs2U]

I wrote previously about relocating from Cincinnati and had a good response to my question. We decided that we aren't quite ready for the switch to apartment/rowhouse living in Central City, but do want a more urban setting than suburb-I need grass & dirt & trees! We have seen quite an array of housing in Mt. Airy. What is your take on living there, the opportunities to get involved in the area, parks, crime, housing, etc. Good place for the husband to commute to the Nashaminy Mall area? Thanks in advance for all the advice

[newmarlig]

Mt. Airy (especially West Mt. Airy) is one of the nicest areas within Philly. It is a very diverse community with lots of parks. It's about a 20 minute drive into center city. It's a bit of a commute to the Nashaminy Mall area (at least 45 minutes), but if that's ok with him, it's a great place to live. Google West Mt. Airy or East Mt. Airy and you can get a lot of information.

One thing to consider though. If he is going to be working in Bucks County and you are living in Philadelphia, you will have to pay the Philadelphia Wage Tax. If that's the case, you may want to think about moving to somewhere in Bucks County. If he's working in northeast Philly, than that's not an issue. The Neshaminy mall area could be either.

[Ohiogirl81]

Babs, where are you living now? I moved to Philadelphia area three years ago from Cincinnati (Madison Place), and am still adjusting.

Mt. Airy is great if you can afford to live where there's a little breathing room (prepare yourself for real estate sticker shock). I found the parts of Mt. Airy that I could afford to be cramped, high traffic, and not very clean. But I have some friends there and they love it, and are very involved in neighborhood groups, etc. It just wasn't for me.

Newmarlig's right about the income tax -- . I live in Montgomery County but work in the city, and pay 3.7 percent (I think ... ). If you live inside the city, it's higher.

[Babs2U]

Ohiogirl81 - We live in Hyde Park, not HYDE PARK, Hyde Park, almost to Mt. Lookout. We checked out Chestnut Hill (gulp!) and did a quick tour around the Mt. Airy area that was close to Chestnut hill and got the same cramped, hight traffic, etc. feeling. Our realtor wasn't too keen on the area, however, it sounds great, so we will take another look.
Also, what exactly is the Philadelphia Wage Tax?

[BPP1999]

The Philadelphia wage tax is an income tax. If you live in the city, it's around 4.1%. If you live outside the city but work in the city it's around 3.7%. Either way, it's in addition to the 3.07% PA income tax. The trade-off is that city property taxes are somewhat (if not very) low compared to the suburbs.

Mount Airy can be somewhat cramped and high traffic - it's in the city! Even Chestnut Hill, which calls itself "Philadelphia High Point" and is inhabited by old money, is cramped.

[Ohiogirl81]

Hi, Babs. After consulting with some other Cincinnati expatriates around here (wearing a Reds polo shirt to work will make you friends you didn't know you had!), we've come up with some ideas for neighborhoods you might like. Alas, none of these are near the Neshaminy Mall area:

Roxborough/Andorra, in the NW part of the city. Close to Fairmount Park, shopping and restaurants close by on Ridge Avenue, close to the Manayunk neighborhood. Best of all, people aren't living on top of one another; there is room to breathe and maybe plant a tomato or two. Andorra is has a more suburban feel, but is still very much a city neighborhood.

Wyndmoor -- kinda "Chestnut Hill, NR", LOL -- is just north of Chestnut Hill in Springfield Township. It has its own business district, including a fabulous old-fashioned hardware store, and has a variety of homes from row houses to mansions.

Erdenheim/Flourtown, also in Springfield Township, are a little more suburban but very nice.

The wage tax is another name for income tax. It's levied on everyone who works in the city, and who lives in the city. If you work in the city and live elsewhere, you pay a slightly smaller percentage than those who live in the city. It's true that residential property taxes within Philadelphia are quite low, but the city is starting to rumble about assessing properties at market value. Things don't change too swiftly around here, though, for what that's worth!

[Babs2U]

Ohiogirl81- Great information, thanks! We will check out all those neighborhoods. I guess we should also check out Bucks Cty like Newmarlig said. Alas, the poor Reds - maybe NEXT year, eh! Thanks

[newmarlig]

Originally Posted by Babs2U

Ohiogirl81- Great information, thanks! We will check out all those neighborhoods. I guess we should also check out Bucks Cty like Newmarlig said. Alas, the poor Reds - maybe NEXT year, eh! Thanks

Babs - living in Philly, the words "Maybe next year" are heard every year and have been since 1983, the last time we won a championship in any major sport.

[Babs2U]

[quote=newmarlig;1355888]Babs - living in Philly, the words "Maybe next year" are heard every year and have been since 1983, the last time we won a championship in any major sport.[/QUOTE

Ah- but keep the faith! Look at the Boston Red Socks- curse and all, they did it! The Cincinnati Reds were once the Big Red Machine, those days are long gone but the fans remain, as well as the fun of hoping that the next great season is just around the corner. Philly will have 2 more hockey fans when my husband and I arrive so that should help that sport!

[newmarlig]

[quote=Babs2U;1360409]

Originally Posted by newmarlig

Babs - living in Philly, the words "Maybe next year" are heard every year and have been since 1983, the last time we won a championship in any major sport.[/QUOTE

Ah- but keep the faith! Look at the Boston Red Socks- curse and all, they did it! The Cincinnati Reds were once the Big Red Machine, those days are long gone but the fans remain, as well as the fun of hoping that the next great season is just around the corner. Philly will have 2 more hockey fans when my husband and I arrive so that should help that sport!

Yeah, but it's hard. I remember the Big Red Machine, they kept beating the Phillies in the playoffs in the late 70's until we signed Pete Rose. If you're sports fans, you should start listening to 610wip.com, especially the morning guys (6-10 a.m.). Once you move here, of course, you can listen on your radio.