What do you think about moving to the burbs.... (Chester: 2015, apartment)

[ionlyused59]

without children?

Husband and myself have considered moving to the burbs in a year or two. Specifically we have really enjoyed our visits to Media and would consider it as a future location. However, we don't have kids and may never.

Media is obviously very family friendly and I'm concerned that we would move and feel out of place without children.

The other option is a different neighborhood in Philly but it would have to be the right house in just the right area.

What are your thoughts? Any childfree couples in the burbs? Anyone move from Philly to the burbs and regret it?

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by ionlyused59

without children?

Husband and myself have considered moving to the burbs in a year or two. Specifically we have really enjoyed our visits to Media and would consider it as a future location. However, we don't have kids and may never.

Media is obviously very family friendly and I'm concerned that we would move and feel out of place without children.

The other option is a different neighborhood in Philly but it would have to be the right house in just the right area.

What are your thoughts? Any childfree couples in the burbs? Anyone move from Philly to the burbs and regret it?

Weirdly I'm starting to feel that way(out of place) about Fairmount/Art Museum, in the city, which is loaded with young kids now.

I'm single and never had kids. Spring Garden(where I live) seems to be less of a kid-magnet.

Not sure how kid-oriented Narberth is but you might want to check it out. Ardmore, Haverford, and Bryn Mawr may have too many college kids for you because of Haverford and Bryn Mawr Colleges and Villanova.

[BK_PHL_DEL]

Originally Posted by ionlyused59

without children?

Husband and myself have considered moving to the burbs in a year or two. Specifically we have really enjoyed our visits to Media and would consider it as a future location. However, we don't have kids and may never.

Media is obviously very family friendly and I'm concerned that we would move and feel out of place without children.

The other option is a different neighborhood in Philly but it would have to be the right house in just the right area.

What are your thoughts? Any childfree couples in the burbs? Anyone move from Philly to the burbs and regret it?

My wife and I lived around 24th & Spruce for 2 years while she was in UPenn (2013-2015). We then moved to Ardmore for 1 year to be closer to her work after graduating. Our apartment in Ardmore was walkable to TJ's and the farmer's market there which was nice. But it was flat out boring out there, and it was very annoying to have to drive to everything. Living in the city was much more lively since we have friends in the city and social events in the city; NONE of that in the suburbs. After the 1 year in Ardmore, we moved to Fishtown in 2016 and have not regretted coming back into the city.

PS: we are DINKs still but plan to have kids soon, and in the city.

[ionlyused59]

Originally Posted by kyb01

Weirdly I'm starting to feel that way(out of place) about Fairmount/Art Museum, in the city, which is loaded with young kids now.

I'm single and never had kids. Spring Garden(where I live) seems to be less of a kid-magnet.

Not sure how kid-oriented Narberth is but you might want to check it out. Ardmore, Haverford, and Bryn Mawr may have too many college kids for you because of Haverford and Bryn Mawr Colleges and Villanova.

That's a good point-- most of my friends in the city have kids too !

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by ionlyused59

without children?

Husband and myself have considered moving to the burbs in a year or two. Specifically we have really enjoyed our visits to Media and would consider it as a future location. However, we don't have kids and may never.

Media is obviously very family friendly and I'm concerned that we would move and feel out of place without children.

The other option is a different neighborhood in Philly but it would have to be the right house in just the right area.

What are your thoughts? Any childfree couples in the burbs? Anyone move from Philly to the burbs and regret it?

If you are going to move the burbs def go for a walkable town: Media, West Chester, Phoenixville, Conshohocken, etc. That will have the highest concentration of young people and couples with no kids.

If you are happy in the city though, just stay there. I don't have kids/ nor really want them, and they are everywhere in the burbs. Or there is always Manhattan, lots of wealthy couples with no kids.

[Fireshaker]

Some interesting responses on both sides.

My gf and I are in a similar situation; we (well, she) owns in Newbold, and while there are a lot of things we like about the city, we've also come to the conclusion that we'll probably want to move out to the burbs within 3-5 years time. More space, less congestion and trash, etc. Obviously a walkable town will be the ideal, since we do hate the concept of auto-centric areas. I do wonder if even the most interesting suburban town will become too boring, and if we'll regret it as well. I'd like to think not, but I suppose you never know until you try, right?

[kyb01]

I grew up in Haverford and by the time I was about 15 or so so much of what I wanted was centered around, "How the heck do I stay sane here until I go to college! " Most things about it bored me.

Sure it was very safe but sometimes places with no risk are not so beneficial.

[BK_PHL_DEL]

Originally Posted by Fireshaker

Some interesting responses on both sides.

My gf and I are in a similar situation; we (well, she) owns in Newbold, and while there are a lot of things we like about the city, we've also come to the conclusion that we'll probably want to move out to the burbs within 3-5 years time. More space, less congestion and trash, etc. Obviously a walkable town will be the ideal, since we do hate the concept of auto-centric areas. I do wonder if even the most interesting suburban town will become too boring, and if we'll regret it as well. I'd like to think not, but I suppose you never know until you try, right?

We had the same thoughts as you about the suburbs, especially the negativity about the PSD, so we wanted to try the suburbs. We even did some open houses on Sundays for fun. But we continually drove into the city to meet up with people and the draw of the city pulled us back in. My wife and I are city folks to begin with, and don't care for more space like a lawn or backyard and the density/congestion does not faze us.

Like you said, you won't know until you try for yourself like we did.

[Flyers Girl]

I am child-free in the burbs. My husband and I live in Havertown. Honestly, I think where you live has less to do with whether or not you have children, and more to do with what will best suit you and your spouse. If you are looking at places like Media, then I'd venture to say that you are still interested in walkability and that downtown feel but without being right in the thick of it. To me, that is a personality trait that would exist even if you had kids. So I say, give it a whirl and see how you like it. Rent first and then if you like it, you can always buy something more permanent.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by BK_PHL_DEL

We had the same thoughts as you about the suburbs, especially the negativity about the PSD, so we wanted to try the suburbs. We even did some open houses on Sundays for fun. But we continually drove into the city to meet up with people and the draw of the city pulled us back in. My wife and I are city folks to begin with, and don't care for more space like a lawn or backyard and the density/congestion does not faze us.

Like you said, you won't know until you try for yourself like we did.

Trust me when I say you would get tired of 'burb rituals like lawncare unless you paid someone to do it. I had chores like that growing up and it gradually became such a waste of time... when I could be reading for pleasure, going to a museum, spending more time with music, etc.