First Time Home Buyer Looking for Suburb Suggestions (Philadelphia, Lansdale: real estate, safe area)

[phillyjoe87]

Hey Everyone,

I am originally from Philadelphia but live in Hoboken, NJ currently. I will be relocating back to the Philadelphia area in the next few months and will be purchasing my first house! I don't know the suburbs all that well so I am looking for suggestions for some good cities to checkout when searching.

Me - 26/m and will be living with my gf
Budget - 250-300K
Wants - Single family home, Good school district, Safe area, Newer House (1990+)
Stretch Wants - Hr or Less Drive to Philly, Walkable Downtown Area

Any help is much appreciated! I'm sure you get these posts all the time, Thanks!

[motherofpearls]

That budget will get you a new townhouse, but its unlikely you will find a newish/newer single family home in a walkable town. Walkable downtown by definition implies that homes are older, and I mean way older. This being said I would recommend to look into Lansdale since there is a train station there that will take you to Philly. Lansdale has a downtown. There are new townhomes and perhaps even smaller (1400 sf) newer singles in your price range in Lansdale.

[BPP1999]

Lansdale seems like a stretch coming from Hoboken. Maybe Ambler might work. Decent downtown, plus some new construction near the train station. While Ambler is no Hoboken, the downtown area has bars, restaurants, shops, and a somewhat-yuppie feel. There's not too much going on in Lansdale, though it is safe and fairly affordable.

[motherofpearls]

Originally Posted by BPP1999

Maybe Ambler might work.

250-300K will not get OP a newer single in Ambler. Real Estate in Ambler is realistically 350K and above, and I am talking older homes.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by motherofpearls

250-300K will not get OP a newer single in Ambler. Real Estate in Ambler is realistically 350K and above, and I am talking older homes.

In the greater Ambler zip code, sure. The borough itself, however, is pretty affordable (though pretty much everything is old).

[Tangled Threads]

The towns listed on this site may be a good starting point for you. Classic Towns of Greater Philadelphia

[LHM]

Originally Posted by motherofpearls

Real Estate in Ambler is realistically 350K and above

no it's not. there is plenty of housing stock in Ambler for less than $300K

[Angus215]

Originally Posted by HeavenWood

In the greater Ambler zip code, sure. The borough itself, however, is pretty affordable (though pretty much everything is old).

You could definitely get a home in that price range in either Ambler or Lansdale borough, altough these are old towns not new suburbs. From my perspective the two are similar, except Lansdale is larger. Ambler has a small (ie two block) downtown that is more developed than what you will find in Lansdale, but that's about it. Neither is going to come anywhere near the atmosphere in Hoboken, however doesn't sound like that's what the OP is looking for (to get that you would have to live in philadelphia itself). Alternatively, you could get a newish suburban townhome for $300k in that general area. Both have good school districts. There are a number of other towns in the area you could consider as well.

[motherofpearls]

Originally Posted by LHM

no it's not. there is plenty of housing stock in Ambler for less than $300K

OP asked for a newer home 1990 +. Just did a quick search with OPs criteria, single, 1990+, and cheapest single family home came up at 449K.
Cheapest townhouse came up at 375K.

[Angus215]

Originally Posted by motherofpearls

OP asked for a newer home 1990 +. Just did a quick search with OPs criteria, single, 1990+, and cheapest single family home came up at 449K.
Cheapest townhouse came up at 375K.

For newer construction, they will definitely have more options if the go north into the Lansdale area.