Searching for a good neighborhood! (Springfield, Ridley Park: apartment, renting, condo)

[jmoo92]

We are possibly moving to Philly in the near future from Chicago. We've been in the city for awhile and a yard beckons us so we will be looking in the burbs. So far we like Elkins Park, Ridley Park, Swarthmore, Springfield, and Mt Airy. So confused!


We are in our professionals in our Mid 40's, minorities, no kids but want something a little more simple and quiet than what we have in Chicago which is right downtown.


When are you moving? 90 days
Where are you coming from? Chicago
Why are you moving? Job
Where will you be working? City Center
Have you been here yet? Yes

Will you buy or rent?Buy
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend? House, under 450K
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend?
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up?

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married, no kids, just a dog
Do you prefer public or private schools?
Do you have pets? Dog
Do you want or need a yard? YES
Are you keeping a car? Yes, one.
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? Calm and quiet.

What do you want to be closest to?
Work
Shopping X
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.) X
Nightlife
Train or subway stations

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? Diverse.

Phillies, Pirates or Mets? Huh?


Thanks! Looking forward to hearing your opinions on our next neighborhood!

[nimshady123]

I would suggest either Mt. Airy or Elkins Park. I know other people on this forum can speak better on Mt Airy but it definitely fits all of your requirements. You can have a yard yet be walkable to many of shops and the streets are generaly very quiet. Mt Airy, along with Elkins Park, are diverse areas, the other ones you mentioned not so much. Both Elkins Park and Mt Airy have good train access to Center City for your jobs. Elkins Park may require a little more driving but not considerably depending where in EP you are. Good Luck!

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by jmoo92

We are possibly moving to Philly in the near future from Chicago. We've been in the city for awhile and a yard beckons us so we will be looking in the burbs. So far we like Elkins Park, Ridley Park, Swarthmore, Springfield, and Mt Airy. So confused!


We are in our professionals in our Mid 40's, minorities, no kids but want something a little more simple and quiet than what we have in Chicago which is right downtown.


When are you moving? 90 days
Where are you coming from? Chicago
Why are you moving? Job
Where will you be working? City Center
Have you been here yet? Yes

Will you buy or rent?Buy
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend? House, under 450K
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend?
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up?

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married, no kids, just a dog
Do you prefer public or private schools?
Do you have pets? Dog
Do you want or need a yard? YES
Are you keeping a car? Yes, one.
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? Calm and quiet.

What do you want to be closest to?
Work
Shopping X
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.) X
Nightlife
Train or subway stations

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? Diverse.

Phillies, Pirates or Mets? Huh?


Thanks! Looking forward to hearing your opinions on our next neighborhood!

There are two Mt Aries, east and west, and both are in the city... You may know that already.

There are also two Springfields in Delaware Co and Montgomery Co.

[FrankInPhilly]

Originally Posted by nimshady123

I would suggest either Mt. Airy or Elkins Park. I know other people on this forum can speak better on Mt Airy but it definitely fits all of your requirements. You can have a yard yet be walkable to many of shops and the streets are generaly very quiet. Mt Airy, along with Elkins Park, are diverse areas, the other ones you mentioned not so much. Both Elkins Park and Mt Airy have good train access to Center City for your jobs. Elkins Park may require a little more driving but not considerably depending where in EP you are. Good Luck!

^^^ yes, this. Mt Airy has good rail access to Center City, is racially diverse, is adjacent to Wissahickon Creek (1000s of acres of wooded trails), and has good shopping options for the day-to-day (groceries, banks, etc.). And if you want big box/chain stores you're 15+ minutes to Target, Trader Joe's, etc etc)

We have a lot of "twins" (aka duplexes) in both East and West Mt Airy. When my wife and I were house-hunting I was a bit put off by the idea of adjoining units, mostly because of sound issues. But the vast majority of these old houses were built with "common"/shared walls that are very good at keeping your 1/2 quiet. And being a twin doesn't mean being small. Just a quick "drive" on Google Street View (go to the 500 block of East Durham St, among many, many others) shows twins have both size and yards. So don't rule out a listing just because it isn't a single-family unit.

[newmarlig]

^twins are not necessarily duplexes. Twins are two houses (usually three stories) that are joined together, for one family. Duplexes are one 2 story structure with each floor being a separate residence for different families.

[jmoo92]

Thank you all for your responses. I was excluding twins for privacy, but will certainly rethink that because there are so many nice homes built that way.


We've moved a lot over the years but I am finding this one a tad more challenging for some reason!


Thanks again.

[timeEd32]

Since you aren't concerned about schools, the NW part of the city seems like a no brainer to me.

[jmoo92]

We are definitely looking there. Thanks!

[Pine to Vine]

Check out East Falls.