Italian Family Relocating To Philadelphia! (Norristown, Springfield: how much, neighborhoods, catholic schools)

[Primo_Beans]

My husband would be working in Ambler, Pa. Where are some good places to go.? We have 2 kids. We are looking for good libraries, parks, and catholic schools! Where is the best place to look! I like market towns vs. grocery stores. You get the idea. Thanks

[becomingforever]

northeast is very nice!

[rainrock]

Originally Posted by Primo_Beans

My husband would be working in Ambler, Pa. Where are some good places to go.?

Ambler, Blue Bell,Skippack,Gwenyd.

Bishop Mcdevitt or Landsdale Catholic would probably be the local catholic high school depending on where you located. Very nice area.

[PlainJane]

Springfield or Broomall, Delaware County. Or even Narberth or Ardmore. Nice mix of ethnicities with great Catholic schools.

[PlainJane]

Forgot to mention-I am Italian too. Forget the places I mentioned-too far from Ambler.

[passdoubt]

Ambler itself is a nice town. It has some Italian families and a Catholic elementary school. For a Catholic high school you'd probably have to go to Bishop McDevitt in Wyncote.

As far as "market towns vs. grocery stores," you're not going to find street markets in the suburbs. In fact the Italian Market on 9th Street in South Philadelphia is really the only viable street market in the Philadelphia area. There are farmers markets in other parts of the city of Philadelphia too, but they're not as extensive as 9th Street.

You'll probably have to get used to grocery stores, unless you want to try to commute to Ambler from the City. This would mean your husband would have an hour commute on the R5 train, or an even longer drive. There are a lot of Catholic schools in the city, (and a lot of Italians, depending on the neighborhood) so you should figure out how much of a priority each factor would be for your family.

[Primo_Beans]

The best possible school systems is most important, followed by up and coming suburbs rehab areas, but still nice. We want a nice town for the children; Good parks, libraries, neighborhoods, plentifull of kids!

[stingray]

Please do youself a big favore DO NOT GO for N/e Philly
20 year ago was good But it is realy run down now
have been here for 35 years a man has it changed for the worst

[rainrock]

There is no reason to live in NE Philly if you are going to be working in Ambler.

Ambler,Horsham,Flourtown,Doylestown. Phoenixville if you don't mind a 30-45 minute commute to Ambler.

[BMK1106]

I grew up in Ambler - and I absolutely loved it! It's great for kids...I would move back there in a heartbeat - if I could afford it! Recently Ambler has become quite popular with the "Main Street Revitalization" program. It seems to me that the city council is trying to make Ambler into the next Manayunk. Several bars/restaurants, coffee shops, etc. have opened up along Butler Pk in Ambler within the last few months.

As for Catholic schools - I went to Ambler Catholic for elementary school and Lansdale Catholic for high school. Some Ambler kids also go to Bishop McDevitt in Wyncote or Kennedy/Kenrick in Norristown.

Definitely consider Ambler if you are looking for an Italian neighborhood - I myself am from one of the few non-Italian families in Ambler - we're Irish. But, I loved growing up in an Italian neighborhood. It's one of those towns where everyone knows each other - which can be good or bad depending on your preferences.

Let me know if you have any more questions about Ambler - I'd love to help out anyway I can...