Advice for moving from Massachusetts (Philadelphia, Lancaster: to rent, school district, living)

[jimberly52]

Hi Everyone-

My wife and I are moving from the suburbs of Boston to PA at the end of June for my new job. I will be working in Newark, DE and she will be working in Malvern, PA. We are looking for recommendations for safe and affordable towns/areas/complexes that would allow us to be somewhat in the middle of our commutes. We are looking to rent right now. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a lot,

JM

[rainrock]

Concord Township,Glen Mills,Chadds Ford,Concordville, West Chester,West Goshen is pretty equidistant, little closer to Malvern. Nice areas.

[PhillyViaBoston]

You have a lot of options. Is there a town in MA you're trying to replicate in PA? What is important to you in a community?

You might want to try answering the sticky questions here:
Questions For Future and Potential Residents and general information.

[Flyers Girl]

What rainrock said. Both you and your wife would be able to easily hop on Route 202 for work (she'd go north, you'd go south).

[Wells5]

Originally Posted by Flyers Girl

What rainrock said. Both you and your wife would be able to easily hop on Route 202 for work (she'd go north, you'd go south).

202 is single lane in some sections and traffic is a nightmare during rush hours and when he finally gets to I-95, he'll really be in the soup. I might suggest a commuter rail commute to both Malvern and Newark. SEPTA R2 goes to the end of the line in Newark and R5 passes through Malvern. Darby, Prospect Park or Glenolden would be good choices for rail commuting. But the OP should really think about staying in the Boston burbs. The Philly burbs will be a letdown.

[Duderino]

Originally Posted by Wells5

202 is single lane in some sections and traffic is a nightmare during rush hours and when he finally gets to I-95, he'll really be in the soup. I might suggest a commuter rail commute to both Malvern and Newark. SEPTA R2 goes to the end of the line in Newark and R5 passes through Malvern. Darby, Prospect Park or Glenolden would be good choices for rail commuting. But the OP should really think about staying in the Boston burbs. The Philly burbs will be a letdown.

The Philadelphia suburbs are easily among the most desirable in the US. Boston has many fantastic suburban towns for sure, but there many similarly great towns are Philly that I'm sure the OP will find desirable and honestly not that dissimilar.

I'd look into Media/Newtown Square/Chadds Ford for something relatively equidistant. Just a note--much of that area feels more remote/bucolic, which is pleasant to many people, but not everyone appreciates that sort of environment for day-to-day living. The Media area would be closer to the urban side of things, with more concentrated amenities. Good luck!

[FrankInPhilly]

Originally Posted by Duderino

The Philadelphia suburbs are easily among the most desirable in the US. Boston has many fantastic suburban towns for sure, but there many similarly great towns are Philly that I'm sure the OP will find desirable and honestly not that dissimilar.

Yeah, I don't know why anyone would dis the Philly suburbs, given their variety and generally decent access to Center City. The only thing that'll likely put a damper on the OP's experience here is the collective household commuting time. Maybe it'll be the same as their experience in Boston, but wow, what a lot of time in the car (variable time at that - you could cruise to work or get mired in traffic).

Just noticed this: OP's moving in a month and is only ramping up location searching now?? Define optimist.

[TimmyTightWad]

202 is a nightmare. I'd suggest something like Havertown. I worked in Newark DE for 3 yrs, it's 40 miles one way using the blue route to I95-S but very little traffic most days. Getting to Malvern will be more tricky since 76 is a nightmare, when I worked there I drove up West Chester Pike to Goshen Street area (or whatever it's called) and drove through the residential area to my corporate complex from there.

[BPP1999]

Originally Posted by Wells5

202 is single lane in some sections and traffic is a nightmare during rush hours and when he finally gets to I-95, he'll really be in the soup. I might suggest a commuter rail commute to both Malvern and Newark. SEPTA R2 goes to the end of the line in Newark and R5 passes through Malvern. Darby, Prospect Park or Glenolden would be good choices for rail commuting. But the OP should really think about staying in the Boston burbs. The Philly burbs will be a letdown.

202 is at least two lanes anywhere and everywhere from south of Norristown all the way down to the I95 interchange in DE. Funny that someone who hates SEPTA would recommend a town with a regional rail stop. Wells usually posts something negative and then leaves a thread. I doubt you would be let down if you moved here from suburban Boston. Any of Rainrock's suggestions are good, location-wise, and school district-wise, but they are exurban areas.

[Flyers Girl]

Originally Posted by TimmyTightWad

202 is a nightmare. I'd suggest something like Havertown. I worked in Newark DE for 3 yrs, it's 40 miles one way using the blue route to I95-S but very little traffic most days. Getting to Malvern will be more tricky since 76 is a nightmare, when I worked there I drove up West Chester Pike to Goshen Street area (or whatever it's called) and drove through the residential area to my corporate complex from there.

I live in Havertown and work in Malvern. No need to get on any highway. In fact, no good way to get on a highway between the two towns. Darby Road to 320 to Goshen Road to 252 to Lancaster Avenue in Paoli/Malvern area.