Moving to Philly - looking for housing (Chester, King of Prussia: apartment, renting)

[dgmark]

Hi Everyone,

I recently got a job offer and planning to move to Philly, PA. We are a young Nepalese family. We have been researching on places to settle down and are hoping this forum can help.

When are you moving? Q3 2024
Where are you coming from? Denver, CO
Why are you moving? Philly Suburbs
Where will you be working? King of Prussia
Have you been here yet? No


Will you buy or rent? Buy
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend? House, 500-600k (Max)
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend? NA
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up? No preference
Do you have a preference of living in a NJ or PA suburb? PA ONLY


Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married with 2 kids who are just starting elementary school
Do you prefer public or private schools? Public
Do you have pets? No
Do you want or need a yard? Yes
Are you keeping a car? Yes
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? calm and quiet

What do you want to be closest to?
Work - preferably up to 30 minutes
Shopping - yes
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.) - yes
Nightlife - not interested
Train or subway stations - if well connected to the airport


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



Our top 3 priorities are -
1. School District
2. Asian Community
3. Affordability

What do you think are our best options?

[kyle19125]

Check out the immediate Blue Bell area of Montgomery County.

[dgmark]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Check out the immediate Blue Bell area of Montgomery County.

Thanks, will look into this place.

[bigfish1]

Blue Bell is definitely a great area with a good school district and a growing Asian community. I think it might be a little above the stated budget. King of Prussia actually has some areas that are a little more affordable. I would also check out North Wales and Lansdale. North Penn School district is very good and has a very large Asian community. Upper Dublin/Ambler or Collegeville might also be good areas.

[dgmark]

Originally Posted by bigfish1

Blue Bell is definitely a great area with a good school district and a growing Asian community. I think it might be a little above the stated budget. King of Prussia actually has some areas that are a little more affordable. I would also check out North Wales and Lansdale. North Penn School district is very good and has a very large Asian community. Upper Dublin/Ambler or Collegeville might also be good areas.

Thanks. I will look into the northern part of King of Prussia. Affordability is one big factor.

[JulieThruTheGlass]

I would suggest Lansdale over Blue Bell due to housing prices. It appears home prices are higher in Blue Bell, whereas both towns earned high marks overall in schools, safety, and overall desirability, i.e. "A+" for Blue Bell and "A" for Lansdale (I'm not sure if it's permissible to include the link of my source on here, but it is a website that reviews towns, schools and workplaces.)

If the political affiliations of a community are important to you, note that Blue Bell tends to lean conservative, while Lansdale is supposedly more liberal.

[Gorges]

There are very large South Asian populations in Collegeville in the newer townhomes near Rt 422. The same is true for the townhome developments near Rt 30 between Malvern and Exton in Chester County.

[dgmark]

Originally Posted by JulieThruTheGlass

If the political affiliations of a community are important to you, note that Blue Bell tends to lean conservative, while Lansdale is supposedly more liberal.

Thanks for bringing this, hadn't considered it yet.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by dgmark

Thanks for bringing this, hadn't considered it yet.

Also, Lansdale has an actual downtown and a SEPTA Regional Rail station at its southern end.

Blue Bell has neither.

[pman]

Originally Posted by dgmark

Hi Everyone,

I recently got a job offer and planning to move to Philly, PA. We are a young Nepalese family. We have been researching on places to settle down and are hoping this forum can help.
...


Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married with 2 kids who are just starting elementary school
Do you prefer public or private schools? Public
...

you might look at the pickering valley elementary which is part of the downingtown area school district (a good district)