If you could live ANYWHERE in PA..... where would you choose? (Philadelphia: new home, employment)

[merrlane]

we are relocating to PA come summer. And originally we thought we'd move to the bucks county area...... but lately we are thinking maybe we should really think about it broader. I know next to NOTHING about PA. Been there once & fell in love with it but I was not a mother at that point & never thought I'd get the opportunity to move out there.
We want a safe area, good schools, we love homes with charm & character... not really into the new homes. We would LIKE an acre..... but for the right house we could do a half acre like I said if we found the right house. We don't want to live in a city or in a busy area.... we're married with children & not hip. lol My husbands job can be anywhere so we don't have toi be tied to a certain area.... we could really go anywhere iin PA.
So I just thought I'd feel out where peoples "dream home" would be in PA.... so I can go online with some names of towns & take a peek.

Thanks!

[Will Kelly]

Hi Merrlane,

I feel I am qualified to answer this question and not because I am a realtor. My wife and I choose PA for the same reasons it sounds like you are. My wife is from central PA and I am from NJ outside of NYC. We lived on an island in the Caribbean for 6 years where I was a business owner. We loved it but it was missing a certain feel and when my daughter was about 1 year old and my wife was pregnant for the second time we started to look for a place to move. We could have went anywhere and looked at a nubmer of other states. We choose to move to the Philadelphia suburbs for a number of reasons. Most of which you mentioned. I also like being close to the city and NJ shore. I think the Delaware Valley is one of the best places to raise a family. We currently reside in Harleysville. We built our dream home last year and I couldn't think of a better place to raise your family.

Best of luck in finding your new home.

Will

[orrmobl]

Stat College has all the cool stuff, none of the bad. Around here I would choose Wallingford/Swarthmore or West Chester for a similar feel and good schools and Tredyffrin and Unionville/Chadds Ford school districts as they are the best public in the area and not as snobby as Radnor and Lower Merion which are also really good but you pay with you children's innocence to live there.

[ScranBarre]

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area, about two hours from either New York City or Philadelphia, has some phenomenal historic treasure troves of towns, including Jim Thorpe, West Pittston, Clarks Summit, Forty Fort, Kingston, and even urban neighborhoods within the city of Scranton. If you're so inclined feel free to scope out the Northeastern Pennsylvania sub-forum and click on the "Photo Tours" link at the top of the forum thread list. You'll see a few dozen of my tours listed there, or you could do a search for newer ones that aren't yet included in an updated list. I love living here very much; the cost-of-living is low, yet we're convenient enough to the metropolis for fun day-trips. With some more skilled employment options this area can truly blossom!

[toobusytoday]

My husband and I have lived in five states and four counties in Pennsylvania. We chose to live in the Lehigh Valley and we happily moved here ten years ago with our children. I love our small town of Coopersburg. Great schools, friendly people and it's so pretty.

[merrlane]

Originally Posted by Will Kelly

Hi Merrlane,

and I am from NJ outside of NYC.

We currently reside in Harleysville. We built our dream home last year and I couldn't think of a better place to raise your family.

Best of luck in finding your new home.

Will

What part of NJ?? My mom grew up in Ridgewood NJ. I LOVE NJ!! But it is SO much like where we are now.... & we REALLY want a change.......... so we are focused on PA.
We live in CA. and really can NOT wait to get to PA & enjoy living again! Everything here is crazy. When I came out to PA 12 yrs ago I INSTANTLY fell in love with it. Felt like I was home. I called my husband & said I never wanted to come "home" and could he just quit his job & meet me in PA. lol We weren't able tpo do that............. but it looks like that time has come. Just got to finish school for the kids this yr & then we're OUT!
Thanks for the info.
because we're from CA. and never lived in the snow (which we are excited about) but we are abit apprehensive about moving to an area in PA where rthey get 40+ in of snow. lol We think we can handle east of Phili area. lol But heck........... I assume you get used to the snow & deal with it. So who knows............... maybe we'll be abit more adventurous & move to snow country. lol
Thanks again for the input!!
merrlane

[Will Kelly]

I am from Morris County. It is very similar to CA.

Snow has been pretty nonexistent in the Delaware Valley the last 2 winters. We get an occasional storm, which is great for the kids but that's about it. With the exception of a huge fiasco two winters ago on route 78 in the central part of the state, I think they do a good job of managing the snow. As a realtor I am probably not to good of a judge. I don't have to commute very far and if the weather is to bad no one wants to look at houses.

My wife and I moved back from the Carribean and the snow was an easy adjustment.

The fall is really a wonderful time here in PA

Best of luck in your search.

Will

[toobusytoday]

Actually the fiasco on route 78 was about 15 minutes from my house here in the Lehigh Valley. I can't remember who they decided to blame for the screw up but it wasn't pretty. If it snows, you drive slow or stay home.

[merrlane]

Originally Posted by toobusytoday

My husband and I have lived in five states and four counties in Pennsylvania. We chose to live in the Lehigh Valley and we happily moved here ten years ago with our children. I love our small town of Coopersburg. Great schools, friendly people and it's so pretty.

Thank you! I will "look around" I am amazed with the beauty of NEPA. Theres NOTHING like that in CA. I can't wait to sink myself into PA!!

[merrlane]

Originally Posted by Will Kelly

I am from Morris County. It is very similar to CA.

My wife and I moved back from the Carribean and the snow was an easy adjustment.

The fall is really a wonderful time here in PA

Glad to hear that it was not a difficult adjustment to the snow. I think we'll be fine too. But I am always hearing that "You're from CA. you have NO idea about snow........ you'll hate it after awhile." Frankly I really do not think so. My husband & I have always wanted to live in the snow (not Buffalo NY snow lol)
Thanks for your input!