Montgomery County - Hatboro or Horsham? (York: middle-class, sale, crime rate)

[lizwalsh]

Single mom, 11 year old and 21 year old (the latter starting last year of college), relocating from N
NE Philly. House on market, sale imminent. Looking in Hatboro (borough) or Horsham (Wynmere). My objective is to be in HH School District. I work in Bucks County. Insights into either of these areas, raising kids, living in a twin (Horsham possibly), sharing a driveway (Hatboro singles on the market seem to have many shared drives), safety, kid-friendly, etc. will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!

[Tone509]

Both are established middle-class bedroom communities with a lot of "lifers". Hatboro might be preferable if only to be closer to the PA Turnpike (I-276) which I would guess you'd be taking over to Bucks County. Hatboro also has a decent "Main Street" area on Old York Road. That said, I'm guessing that your property taxes might be slightly lower in Horsham due to the preponderance of office parks there relieving the tax burden.

[NovaDragon]

It's really more of a personal preference whether you like small town or suburban sprawl. If you like the feel of a small, walkable town with a main street and small clusters of neighborhoods, then Hatboro's for you. If you like the traditional suburban neighborhoods with (usually) more space and (again, usually) away from some of the busier roads, then Horsham's for you.

We were recently in the same position you were. I wanted Hatboro, my fiance wanted Horsham (of course, my future wife won out ). We actually looked in the Wynmere neighborhood and we really liked it, but we ended up in a different neighborhood.

The one thing I'll say is that, even though the crime is probably about the same, I hear more people complain about it in Hatboro (though it's usually nothing more than kids doing dumb things). Also, you may have to be a little choosier in Hatboro as far as which part to look in. There are some absolutely adorable neighborhoods north of Moreland Ave/west of the train tracks, west of York and south of Horsham road. But some of the 'hoods east of the tracks do not look as well maintained (though the crime rate is probably the same). It doesn't help that you have some active industries in that part of the borough as well. Also, be careful where your house is located as the border of Hatboro & Upper Moreland Twp go right through some of the 'hoods.

I hope this helps. Good Luck!

[Trip33]

You can do well in either area as I was house hunting there too. From my experience shopping, Horsham had generally nicer (newer?) properties. As NovaDragon said, you need to be choosier in Hatboro but there are plenty of great and rooted neighborhoods. Cost wise, Hatboro tended to be cheaper than Horsham.