Crunchy town in Landsdale area/Souderton charter school (Philadelphia, Lansdale: for sale, big home)

[LeavingLA2]

hi, my husband has family in the philly suburbs and we are considering relocating to around Landsdale. We have a baby and 4 year old, and are looking for a very safe area (house budget about 550k). He will be commuting to one of the academic hospitals in the area where he can find a job, possibly Einstein.
I'm really crunchy (moving from los angeles!) and would like to find somewhere liberal, tolerant to gay rights, with vegan food options etc. Are any areas around Landsdale more crunchy? We aren't really interested in Philadelphia because we want somewhere safe and a little more towards the rural side.

Also does anyone have experience with Souderton Charter school? I would like to put our kids in a smaller setting than a traditional public school if possible. Or do you know if there is a big homeschooling community in the area? I'd love to do montessori, but the private schools are likely out of our budget.

Thanks for any advice!

[chicagoliz]

Not sure I'd describe Lansdale as "crunchy." I can't think of a lot of places I'd say are in that vicinity. You could look at Jenkintown or Glenside. Also look at Ambler, although none of those are exactly rural. I don't think you're going to find too many rural, crunchy places -- the East Coast is different from California, and it's not so easy to find what Californians typically think of as "crunchy" out here.

[thedirtypirate]

Central Bucks and the townships and towns that are south or east of doylestown. Somewhere off of 611 if he is looking at Einstein.

or a little further into montgomery country.


i like the older properties like this better: Mod cut - single postings of properties for sale is not allowed.

imo, New Hope is basically the hub of all things LGBT in our area, other than Philly itself. Bucks is a good deal more rural than Montco, but it is more disconnected making commutes longer.

http://www.visitphilly.com/events/ph...pride-weekend/
http://www.newhopecelebrates.com/
http://www.travelandleisure.com/slid...rth-a-visit/21

[chicagoliz]

New Hope is a great suggestion, although not sure if it's close enough to Lansdale for OP.

Now that I think about it, what is the reason for picking Lansdale? Is there something there you need to be close to? Friends or other employment?

[Ms_Christina]

Maybe Doylestown? I'm trying to think of a CA caliber crunchy area and I'm drawing a blank.

[LeavingLA2]

Thanks for the suggestions! We have family in Lansdale and Abbington which is why we are looking in that area

[Angus215]

I don't think you will find the "progressive" political environment you seem to be looking for unless you go into the city (chestnut hill, mt airy, center city, etc) or east to new hope. Montgomery county as a whole is pretty moderate politically. Same is true of central bucks country.