Moving to philadelphia area (York, Chester: real estate, apartment, to rent) - Pennsylvania (PA) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

orrmobl · 03-30-2008, 10:21 PM

New construction you're looking at way out in Downingtown, Malvern, West Chester. West Chester does not have train service to the city, though.

Why not look at older homes and be closer to the city? Tredyffrin, Great Valley, Rose Tree Media (great walkable town), Wallingford-Swarthmore (voted a best place to live by Money magazine last year), Havertown (family oriented closer to the city), Springfield (more blue collar, more affordable).

I'm sure I missed a couple of the really good school districts around here but you get the drift. Also keep in mind that what you save on the house price in one area you typically make up for in taxes - we're looking at larger homes for less money with $10K a year in taxes or top dollar for smaller homes with lower taxes...just depends what area and type of people you like...

For the record, I would rather live in most places around Philly than most of the south jersey suburbs...just can't imagine the crowded roads, urban sprawl and commute across the river every day...

glausuche · 03-31-2008, 05:13 AM

orrmobl--

sounds like you're talking my lingo.
Which towns on the bucks side would you recommend?
My husband and I like the older homes with character and architecture-- I'm an artist.
He's working in Trenton. We've got 2 school-age boys and we definitely don't want the crowded roads and big malls and such. That's one of the reasons we're leaving NYC.

orrmobl · 03-31-2008, 07:51 AM

I'm no expert on Bucks but I like the Newtown area and have read Yardley is nice as well. Stick to Central Bucks, Council Rock and Pennsbury schools if you can and you can't go wrong...

orrmobl · 03-31-2008, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glausuche

orrmobl--

sounds like you're talking my lingo.
Which towns on the bucks side would you recommend?
My husband and I like the older homes with character and architecture-- I'm an artist.
He's working in Trenton. We've got 2 school-age boys and we definitely don't want the crowded roads and big malls and such. That's one of the reasons we're leaving NYC.

This thread sums up the area way better than I ever could...happy reading!

http://www.city-data.com/forum/phila...rrounding.html

glausuche · 03-31-2008, 06:37 PM

surferr--
the house you posted a link to looks amazing, but we're looking more in the 250k range, so that'd be way above our budget.
How do you like Cheltenham? Is it safe, good neighbors? away from the hustle?
And how long would the commute to Trenton be?

Sandi Lichtman · 03-31-2008, 08:08 PM

Make sure that you consider south Jersey. There are several great school districts - such as Haddonfield and Cherry HIll. You should be able to find a nice house in Cherry HIll for less than $350,000 - but most likely it won't be new construction. IT is an easy commute from Cherry HIll to 30th ST. Route 295 can take you to Trenton (aprox 40 min) or to 30th ST (aprox 25 min.) You'll find a strong AP program in the hgih schools as well as allkinds of extra-cirricular clubs. By the way - the trip to the "shore" is only an hour -so its easy to go to the beach for the day.

glausuche · 04-04-2008, 10:20 AM

sandi--

yes, but what of the high taxes I hear about in New Jersey. Seems to me that just taxes alone will make the house un-affordable to us.
What do you know of Roosevelt, NJ?

Phonglan · 04-04-2008, 11:12 AM

We're currently live in Deptford, NJ, it's a 15-20 minutes (about 10 miles) to 30th st & market st. Not sure of school though, you can check that out if interested. Everything is close by (mall, grocery, post office, restaurant within 1 mi). We have a townhome that in the process of putting up for sale as we are looking to move as well (TX), for 2000 s.f, 1 car garage, end unit, 2 yrs old, the builder just finished the sub division & moved out 2 months ago, it goes for $300k. Nice community with young families. Since it's located right off of Rt 42 & 55 (less than a mi), we don't face traffic issue in the morning or afternoon. Mullica Hill is nice too but I believe you have to take 55 to get to Philadelphia, houses in Mullica Hill might be a bit cheaper than Deptford & washington township but it's far away from the city.

We've only live here for 2 years, have co-worker who live in Washington township, it's nice in that area too, have good school system, but the draw back is traffic since it's located south of 55 & 42, traffic gets backup from Deptford and south of 42 & 55 really bad. Mullica Hill area is nice too, they have new house build, houses are a bit cheaper than Deptford & Washington township but locate far away from the city & major routes.

3 yrs ago when we move to the area, we were looking for new house in the price range you mention & only be able to settle with townhouse. In Cinnamonson area, there was one development just started when we look for houses, it's right off the Delaware river, have rail system in the neighborhood, their houses are much smaller & a bit higher in price (because its near river front) but other than that, nothing in the area at all, not convience, at lot of traffic lights if you need to get to Philly, it's a bit old & rundown. Nice area woud be Cherry Hill, Moorestown, Delran but homes prices, property taxes are very high.

good luck with you search.

Sandi Lichtman · 04-04-2008, 01:47 PM

Its true - the taxes in NJ are high - but there is some compensation. Here's my understanding of the tax advantage of living in NJ - if you work in Phila and pay city wage tax, you deduct most ofw what you pay to the city from what you would otherwise be paying the stte of NJ. If you live in Pa you don't get to do this. Also - the taxes are high to pay for the great schools. The state doesn't give enough aid to these good school districts - so its up to the taxpayers to pay for top notch teachers.

andreaspercheron · 04-04-2008, 02:42 PM

Hi,

I currently live in Horsham and my kids have been here from elementary through graduation. The schools are great, they offer a lot to their students, my kids loved the schools and the teachers were very nice. Young but nice.

You can also catch the R5 locally down to Philly.

Homes - well there are some townhomes for sale and a lot on the market, I'm sure it wouldn't be that difficult finding something to your liking in this area. It's quiet, lots of shopping and plenty of places to eat.

We are moving OUT of the area though and can't wait. We are originally from down south and we miss the slower pace, friendly faces everywhere and the very common hospitality that is lacking all around this area and in Philly. Don't get me wrong, I've had some good friends that live downtown but you couldn't pay me to A. ride the subway these days or B. drive down there.

Everywhere around here the roads are horrible thanks to the union road crews. The people have topped my list in rudeness (not everyone but most) and I find that after living here over 10 years, in general people are just inconsiderate and Philly isn't nicknamed "Killadelphia" and "Filthadelphia" for nothing. If you are moving here, good luck but yes, there are still nice towns and great schools.

Good luck with your move!