If you had a budget of $650,000...where would you live? (Philadelphia: school districts, to live)

[adrihurley]

Hey Philly Friends,

We are relocating to the Philadelphia area. My husband will be commuting to Suburban Station daily and we have 3 children under 6 who will be entering the public school system.

My question to you is:

Q. Of all the towns, townships and school districts in and around the Greater Philadelphia Area, where would YOU choose to live if you had $650,000 to spend on a house? Why?

Thanks!

[Avalon08]

I would choose any of the Main Line towns or close to them, though I don't know what $650K will get you these days. I don't have young kids but I know the school districts are good. I have lived in the Main Line town of Berwyn and loved it -- nice people, beautiful area, close to major highways and easy access into the city. For comparison, I have also lived in Norristown, Skippack, Lansdale, and Newtown Square. Berwyn was my favorite!

[adrihurley]

Thank you!!!! This is helpful I think we can get something around 650,000 in Berwyn although we might be considered the poor neighbours! lol Berwyn and Wayne are near the top of the list.

[Pilot1]

Malvern area. I assume your husband is taking the train to Suburban Station?

[FrankInPhilly]

It'd probably help to make answers a bit more comprehensive, including replies about aspects of Philly life other than housing. Try posting replies to questions found at: Questions For Future and Potential Residents and general information..

[cpomp]

Media (19063) zipcode.

Offers the same if not better lifestyle compared to the Main Line, easy commute to Philadelphia and your budget will take you a bit further. And schools are equally excellent.

[Patmcpsu]

It really depends on your location preferences:

• If you need easy-access into Philadelphia: The Main Line
• If you want the entire region at your fingertips: Blue Bell / Fort Washington
• If you're willing to sacrifice proximity for value: Chester County

Edit: I just realized your husband will take the train into Philly often. In your case, it would be Main Line. $650k should get you a decent spread in Berwyn or Paoli.

Media/Swarthmore/Wallingford are nice and have train access, but Delaware County has a stigma about it that I have trouble shaking.

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by Patmcpsu

It really depends on your location preferences:

• If you need easy-access into Philadelphia: The Main Line
• If you want the entire region at your fingertips: Blue Bell / Fort Washington
• If you're willing to sacrifice proximity for value: Chester County

Edit: I just realized your husband will take the train into Philly often. In your case, it would be Main Line. Media/Swarthmore/Wallingford are nice and have train access, but Delaware County has a stigma about it that I have trouble shaking.

Stigma about what?

[lpranger467]

Just curious (not being sarcastic) what is the stigma to Delco ? I've heard this before

Originally Posted by Patmcpsu

It really depends on your location preferences:

• If you need easy-access into Philadelphia: The Main Line
• If you want the entire region at your fingertips: Blue Bell / Fort Washington
• If you're willing to sacrifice proximity for value: Chester County

Edit: I just realized your husband will take the train into Philly often. In your case, it would be Main Line. $650k should get you a decent spread in Berwyn or Paoli.

Media/Swarthmore/Wallingford are nice and have train access, but Delaware County has a stigma about it that I have trouble shaking.

[Patmcpsu]

Originally Posted by lpranger467

Just curious (not being sarcastic) what is the stigma to Delco ? I've heard this before

My parents are both from Delaware County (Mom is from Springfield, Dad is from Drexel Hill) and I have lots of aunts/uncles/cousins who still live there.

There is a racial tension throughout Delco that's undeniable. Its eastern border is against west-Philly and its southernmost portion *is* Chester. Because of this, all the "white" school districts are paranoid about "outsiders sneaking their kids into our schools". If you look at the Media/Swarthmore/Wallingford proximity to Chester, the contrast between race and education is so vivid you can draw a line through it.

That racial tension doesn't exist on the Main Line, but that's primarily because racial diversity doesn't exist. I'm not saying that's an acceptable solution, but it's more of an ignorant bliss.

In short, Delco could use its diversity to turn it into a special little melting pot. But they don't.

*For the record, I live in a school district in Chester County that's 81% white, 13% asian and 1% black, so I'm just as guilty as the Main Liners.

**I'm always nervous writing about racial stuff on the internet, but just to be clear, my message is pro-diversity.

EDIT: It also doesn't help that my old high school principal became the superintendent at Upper Darby School District, only to get fired for being too progressive about race: http://www.philly.com/philly/educati...dent_flap.html