Collingswood or West Mt. Airy? (Philadelphia, Penn: real estate market, to rent, credit)

[moonadea]

My wife and I (both mid-twenties females) are considering a move to Philadelphia area for my job. From reading other posts on this forum, I think we'd be most interested in West Mt. Airy or Collingswood, NJ.

Looking for:
-relatively safe
-charming
-historic housing stock
-nearby things to do without being in a busy area
-access to parks, farmers markets, nature, vegetarian restaurants, things like that
-short commute into center city (we have a car, I prefer public transport though)

We'd of course like to feel welcome in our neighborhood too, so having other lesbian couples around is pretty important. We aren't the "going out" type so don't really care about nightlife. We'd be looking to rent for a year or two then buy. Rent in the 800 - 1100 range (1 bedroom is fine) and buy in the <250k range (small house or rowhouse/twin is okay, MUST have at least a small yard.) No kids yet - maybe in 5 years or so, not an immediate concern. We do have 2 dogs and lead a pretty laid-back, home-body life.

I've got family in NY (Brooklyn) so if one neighborhood is way more convenient for getting to NY that's a factor but not a huge one.

If anyone is familiar with Atlanta, we like the Inman Park and Oakhurst neighborhoods best.

So does anyone have input on either of these areas? Things to consider? Pros and Cons? Am I priced out of either/both? Other neighborhoods I should consider? We'll of course be visiting but long-term residents usually have valuable information too.

Thanks!

[mancat100]

They are both excellent areas and I believe you and your wife will be happy in either one. So either way you can't go wrong.

I think a VERY slight nudge goes to Collingswood only because the PATCO line seems more convenient than the SEPTA regional rail lines that go through Mt. Airy for quick easy access to Center City. PATCO operates as frequent rapid transit. The regional rail operates as an annoying, outdated less-frequent commuter railroad. Both will get you where you need to go, but one is somewhat better.

Mount Airy is more beautiful in my opinion. So there's that.

[frankgn87]

Mancat about sums it up nicely. Can't go wrong with either area. Visit both to see how you guys feel

[tintin19119]

Originally Posted by moonadea

My wife and I (both mid-twenties females) are considering a move to Philadelphia area for my job. From reading other posts on this forum, I think we'd be most interested in West Mt. Airy or Collingswood, NJ.

Looking for:
-relatively safe
-charming
-historic housing stock
-nearby things to do without being in a busy area
-access to parks, farmers markets, nature, vegetarian restaurants, things like that
-short commute into center city (we have a car, I prefer public transport though)

We'd of course like to feel welcome in our neighborhood too, so having other lesbian couples around is pretty important. We aren't the "going out" type so don't really care about nightlife. We'd be looking to rent for a year or two then buy. Rent in the 800 - 1100 range (1 bedroom is fine) and buy in the <250k range (small house or rowhouse/twin is okay, MUST have at least a small yard.) No kids yet - maybe in 5 years or so, not an immediate concern. We do have 2 dogs and lead a pretty laid-back, home-body life.

I've got family in NY (Brooklyn) so if one neighborhood is way more convenient for getting to NY that's a factor but not a huge one.

If anyone is familiar with Atlanta, we like the Inman Park and Oakhurst neighborhoods best.

So does anyone have input on either of these areas? Things to consider? Pros and Cons? Am I priced out of either/both? Other neighborhoods I should consider? We'll of course be visiting but long-term residents usually have valuable information too.

Thanks!

You have just describe West Mt. Airy to a tee. Visit for a weekend and you will see what I mean.

[GraysFerryB4]

I say Collingswood for city hospital proximity, easier commute to CC and safety. West Mt. Airy wins on more charming homes.

[tom_567]

NJ has more friendly civil union laws vs. PA if that is an issue for you. Where you're working can make a difference too. If you're working in Center City, Collingswood is way more convenient. If you're out in the PA burbs somewhere, commuting from NJ can be a pain. If you're renting, you could always try both. Collingswood as a place to live has almost everything nearby - parks, shopping, farmers markets, etc. West Mount Airy is very nice as well, but you both get whacked with wage tax. Again, I think you'll want to zone in by visiting both in person and finding out where your job would be located. Best of luck!

[BR Valentine]

I've lived in Atlanta (Grant Park) and in Mt. Airy. As others have pointed out, your job location will have a big impact on the merits of living in either of those places. The commute from NJ to most PA suburbs is painful. Since you mentioend Inman Park, I'll mention a neighborhood in West Philly you may want to consider, Spruce Hill. It's immediately west of the Penn campus. It has many of the features yoou mentioned including a decent number of lesbian residents. It's more densely populated than Inman Park, but it also has vastly better public transportation. Otherwise, West Mt. Ariy and Collingswood are both great places to live. East Mt. Airy could be another viable option. Rents are generally a little lower than in in West Mt. Airy. AFAIK, there are fewer lesbians in East Mt. Airy, but the nighborhood is in general gay/lesbian friendly. Best of luck in your search and with your move.

Edited to add: Since you mentioned buying <250k at some point in the next couple of years ... you can find twins/rows in West Mt. Airy in that price range but the supply is generally limited. There is definitely a larger supply of houses in that range in East Mt. Airy and on the west side of Germantown which is immediately below West Mt. Airy. I think it will be difficult to find a house in that price range in Spruce Hill as well. What you will quickly discover in Spruce Hill is that there is a sizeable premium on houses located in the Penn Alexander School catchment which encompases most of Spruce Hill. As is the case with West Mt. Airy, there are neighborhoods adjacent to Spruce Hill, namely Cedar Park and Powelton Village, where you would have a better shot at finding something in your price range. I don't know the real estate market in Collingswood well enough to comment on it. I'm mentioning this in case you intend to rent in the same neighborhood in which you hope to buy. Your budget will allow you to rent in Spruce Hill or West Mt. Airy, but buying will likely prove more challenging.

[mancat100]

Originally Posted by BR Valentine

I've lived in Atlanta (Grant Park) and in Mt. Airy. As others have pointed out, your job location will have a big impact on the merits of living in either of those places. The commute from NJ to most PA suburbs is painful. Since you mentioend Inman Park, I'll mention a neighborhood in West Philly you may want to consider, Spruce Hill. It's immediately west of the Penn campus. It has many of the features yoou mentioned including a decent number of lesbian residents. It's more densely populated than Inman Park, but it also has vastly better public transportation. Otherwise, West Mt. Ariy and Collingswood are both great places to live. East Mt. Airy could be another viable option. Rents are generally a little lower than in in West Mt. Airy. AFAIK, there are fewer lesbians in East Mt. Airy, but the nighborhood is in general gay/lesbian friendly. Best of luck in your search and with your move.

I live in Spruce Hill and I concur with this recommendation.

[tom_567]

Originally Posted by BR Valentine

I've lived in Atlanta (Grant Park) and in Mt. Airy. As others have pointed out, your job location will have a big impact on the merits of living in either of those places. The commute from NJ to most PA suburbs is painful. Since you mentioend Inman Park, I'll mention a neighborhood in West Philly you may want to consider, Spruce Hill. It's immediately west of the Penn campus. It has many of the features yoou mentioned including a decent number of lesbian residents. It's more densely populated than Inman Park, but it also has vastly better public transportation. Otherwise, West Mt. Ariy and Collingswood are both great places to live. East Mt. Airy could be another viable option. Rents are generally a little lower than in in West Mt. Airy. AFAIK, there are fewer lesbians in East Mt. Airy, but the nighborhood is in general gay/lesbian friendly. Best of luck in your search and with your move.

Edited to add: Since you mentioned buying <250k at some point in the next couple of years ... you can find twins/rows in West Mt. Airy in that price range but the supply is generally limited. There is definitely a larger supply of houses in that range in East Mt. Airy and on the west side of Germantown which is immediately below West Mt. Airy. I think it will be difficult to find a house in that price range in Spruce Hill as well. What you will quickly discover in Spruce Hill is that there is a sizeable premium on houses located in the Penn Alexander School catchment which encompases most of Spruce Hill. As is the case with West Mt. Airy, there are neighborhoods adjacent to Spruce Hill, namely Cedar Park and Powelton Village, where you would have a better shot at finding something in your price range. I don't know the real estate market in Collingswood well enough to comment on it. I'm mentioning this in case you intend to rent in the same neighborhood in which you hope to buy. Your budget will allow you to rent in Spruce Hill or West Mt. Airy, but buying will likely prove more challenging.

I didn't realize WMA was so expensive! You can definitely find a row, twin, or single family in Collingswood for under 250K. You'll have substantially higher property taxes than PA, but no wage tax, and you get a credit for any wage taxes paid to Philadelphia - so it kind of evens out. Good luck!

[2e1m5a]

Originally Posted by tom_567

I didn't realize WMA was so expensive! You can definitely find a row, twin, or single family in Collingswood for under 250K. You'll have substantially higher property taxes than PA, but no wage tax, and you get a credit for any wage taxes paid to Philadelphia - so it kind of evens out. Good luck!

Prices are hard to state for certain in Mt Airy. Like Germantown, there is a wide spectrum of housing styles/neighborhoods and prices.

They can range from this:

718 Saint Georges Road, Philadelphia PA - Trulia (Asking price $1.3 Million)

6700 Wissahickon Avenue, Philadelphia PA - Trulia(Asking Price $995,000)

To this:
68 East Springer Street, Philadelphia PA - Trulia (Asking price $60,000)


There are certainly plenty of rowhomes to be had for less than $250,000 but I'd say that $250,000 is a correct figure for the most desirable parts of WMA.

Generally, WMA is more expensive than EMA but the best values are to be had in EMA, imo. This house below for example is in a great neighborhood, walking distance to Chestnut Hill/Mt Airy and both regional rail lines. The same house would be much more expensive in WMA, although the neighborhood is one of the best in either EMA or WMA.

108 East Roumfort Road, Philadelphia PA - Trulia

As far as convenience to NY, I would actually say that it is about even, which may surprise some.
Mt Airy is very close to 309 and the PA Turnpike which may actually be a faster drive to NY than from Collingswood.