NC versus PA (Philadelphia, Chester, Lansdale: big house, job market, schools)

[ButterFly32]

I am considering a move from the Raleigh NC area to a suburb of Philadelphia. Has anyone else done the same or opposite? Which area do you like better and why? I don't know too much about the Philly job market. It's pretty good here in Raleigh, which could be a concern. The housing prices are good here, which could be another concern in PA. Any feedback will be appreciated!

[rainrock]

The job market in the Philadelphia suburbs is very healthy. I think you might be surprised at how rural the landscape is once you get 10 miles away from the city. Job market wouldnt be a problem.Housing prices are another story from what a comparable house in NC might be.


Never been to Raleigh but I'll go out on a limb and say the further NW suburbs of Philly are very similar to Raleigh right down to the horse farms and rolling hills. Chester,Montgomery,Delaware and Bucks are the 4 suburban PA.counties and they have a population of 2.5 million people whereas Raleigh's metro is about 1.1 M. Id say the QOL in those counties are equal and perhaps better than NC.

[ButterFly32]

I haven't lived in raleigh for very long. While it is a nice area with a lot of opportunity, there are so many people moving here, it is becoming overcrowded! I am kind of familiar with PA...I would really like to vist Bucks county, Doyelstown maybe.

[BPP1999]

Yes, certain (and I repeat, certain) suburbs of Philadelphia have remained less undeveloped. But most are fairly developed, and there are traces of suburban sprawl in pretty much all directions for 30-40 miles.

The job market here is pretty good, I think. Our economy doesn't add jobs like other places in the country, but it does add jobs, and it also weathers downturns very well because of the diversity of the economy.

[Duderino]

Originally Posted by BPP1999

Yes, certain (and I repeat, certain) suburbs of Philadelphia have remained less undeveloped. But most are fairly developed, and there are traces of suburban sprawl in pretty much all directions for 30-40 miles.

The job market here is pretty good, I think. Our economy doesn't add jobs like other places in the country, but it does add jobs, and it also weathers downturns very well because of the diversity of the economy.

Yes, definitely. People too often hear of "high growth" job markets, but they don't look at the type of jobs being added, which lately have been low-wage service sector positions. Here the growth, although at a slower rate, is at least in ALL sectors, and for that reason we are much more insulated from recessions.

[orrmobl]

I think the north-south or east-west transition are tough ones. Not sure where you live in Raleigh but if you like the quiet, slow paced country life with super friendly neighbors, commutes with little traffic jams and developments with inexpensive large houses on multi acre lots, I'm fairly sure you'll hate it here...not like you'd loathe LA, but it just won't feel like home. A better fit might be Delaware or Maryland...

Now if youre looking for a faster paced, multicultural, access to the best in arts, entertainment, shopping, restaurants, schools, etc., you'll love it here!

[ButterFly32]

orrmobl, what is LA? Did you mean PA? Thanks...

[jfre81]

The Raleigh-Durham area is getting pricy, thanks to the constant stream of people flowing in, and there aren't enough high-paying jobs to keep everyone able to pay for houses unless you want to commute from the sticks.

The low-paying NC state government and Wal-Mart and Target are not going to pay the bills in a $300K home. Nor is being a waitress at Ruby Tuesday's.

[emroyka]

I think orrmobl meant that you wouldn't hate PA *as much* as you would LA if you wanted slow-pace with short traffic commutes and inexpensive big houses. But it still wouldn't be the best place for you.

[rainrock]

Originally Posted by orrmobl

Not sure where you live in Raleigh but if you like the quiet, slow paced country life with super friendly neighbors, commutes with little traffic jams and developments with inexpensive large houses on multi acre lots, I'm fairly sure you'll hate it here...not like you'd loathe LA, but it just won't feel like home. A better fit might be Delaware or Maryland...

I disagree.Once you get on the north side of the 76 and west of 476 things slow down quite a bit. The only difference between Raleigh and Malvern,Valley Forge,Chester Springs, is $$$$, its a similar quality of life imo. You'll make more money and you'll have to spend more money here vs. Raleigh. If you go out a bit further Exeter,Kennet Square,Lansdale then you are really getting into Carolina like country and carolina type prices.