Looking for home in Philadelphia (York, King of Prussia: middle-class, house, neighborhoods)

[Da41695]

Alright, I'm a native New Yorker and I attended UPenn, I'm not too fond of the neighborhoods since I mostly was on campus, but I liked the scenery when I went outside. I might consider moving sometime in the near future. Here's my criteria:

• My budget is $850,000 or less.
• I would like a historic neighborhood with tree-lined streets, near businesses and entertaiment.
• It must have an excellent school district.
• Also, I would like to have a sizable Jewish community.
• I would like to be able to purchase a 3-4 bedroom home in the community.

I would appreciate if you could help me find communities fitting that criteria.

Also: I have a question, How long does it take to get from Philadelphia to the nearest beach, and what is that beach?

[billb7581]

Can't help you with the first one. I don't know of any Jewish neighborhoods in the city itself, but I'm not the most knowledgeable either. It seems to me a lot of the more well to do Jewish folks end up in Voorhees NJ. There are probably half a dozen Synagogues out that way and a beautiful JCC facility .


As far as the beach situation you're looking at around an hour and a half to anywhere from Atlantic City and south. There are a myriad to choose from, since you're looking for a good school district, I'm going to assume there are kids involved. If so I'd recommend Ocean City/

Looking at a map Seaside/Lavalete/Ortley are probabl closer, as the crow flies , but the road is only 2 lanes (rt 70), with a ton of lights, so it takes longer.

To get to Atlantic City, it's almost all entirely expressway/interstate. If you're going to Ocean City you just take the Parkway south a little bit.

[Tone509]

You'll want to look at Abington, Cheltenham and Upper Dublin. All of them have significant Jewish populations, and above-average school districts. They're not bastions of entertainment nor is there a significant amount of non-retail business. But you will be close to job centers in Horsham and Fort Washington. Lots of tree-lined streets. These are older bedroom communities. Plenty of 3-4 bedroom homes. Your upper limit range should qualify you for an upper-middle-class neighborhood in this area.

From Center City Philly, it would take you about 90 minutes to get to the Jersey Shore. People have different preferences as to their favorite beach town but there are plenty to choose from: Atlantic City, Margate, Ventnor, Wildwood, Ocean City and Cape May are among the most popular, each usually drawing a different crowd. I'd also agree that if kids are involved, Ocean City is the most family-friendly.

Originally Posted by Da41695

Alright, I'm a native New Yorker and I attended UPenn, I'm not too fond of the neighborhoods since I mostly was on campus, but I liked the scenery when I went outside. I might consider moving sometime in the near future. Here's my criteria:

• My budget is $850,000 or less.
• I would like a historic neighborhood with tree-lined streets, near businesses and entertaiment.
• It must have an excellent school district.
• Also, I would like to have a sizable Jewish community.
• I would like to be able to purchase a 3-4 bedroom home in the community.

I would appreciate if you could help me find communities fitting that criteria.

Also: I have a question, How long does it take to get from Philadelphia to the nearest beach, and what is that beach?

[bryson662001]

Originally Posted by Tone509

You'll want to look at Abington, Cheltenham and Upper Dublin. All of them have significant Jewish populations, and above-average school districts. .

Good choices 19046,19001, 19025,19002

Also throw in Lower Merion Township 19035, 19010' 19041,19096, 19085 and Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
If you want an urban downtown neighborhood it is Society Hill 19106. It has everything you want except the public schools. You would have to choose a private school.

[Sassygirl18]

Are you looking to live in the city or in the suburbs?

[ajb842]

[quote=Tone509;4232162]You'll want to look at Abington, Cheltenham and Upper Dublin. All of them have significant Jewish populations, and above-average school districts. They're not bastions of entertainment nor is there a significant amount of non-retail business. But you will be close to job centers in Horsham and Fort Washington. Lots of tree-lined streets. These are older bedroom communities. Plenty of 3-4 bedroom homes. Your upper limit range should qualify you for an upper-middle-class neighborhood in this area.

I would completely agree with Tone's advice. You may be looking to live in CC, but I don't think anyone would brag about Philadelphia school system. And truthfully, to be in a 3-4 bedroom home in an upscale part of the city would be over 1million. However in Cheltenham there is Elkins Park with a large Jewish community, about 20-25min commute to CC. In Abington there is Jenkintown which also seems to have a significant jewish population. There are synagogues all over Old York Rd which covers Jenkintown and Elkins Park. Upper Dublin also is very good and Maple Glen would be included in that area which is more upscale. Fort Washington is Upper Dublin schools and is very nice as well. Unfortunately, the quick answer is that you might have to sacrifice one of the desires on your list to get some other things(like to get good schools, you may sacrifice a downtown area). However, the good thing is that from any of these locations you are close to the PA turnpike which puts you only 20min from King of Prussia Mall which would have all of your shopping needs. You will also be less than 30min to CC by car and there are plenty of train stations if you chose to go that route. Hope this helps!

[smydovro]

Look into Bucks County as well. Yardley and Newtown have nice sized Jewish communities ( I'm part of it) and the area is a nice suburb of Philly- about 30 - 45 minutes outside of center city and 1 hour to the nearest beach! Perfect location and excellent public schools. My family is extremely happy in Bucks County. There are 4 synagogues that are within a 10 minute drive here in Yardley. Good Luck. Your price range will get you a beautiful home here.

[juniperbleu]

I agree with the Jenkintown/Abington recommendation. Just a short drive up Old York road and you pass several synagogues, a Jewish school, Gratz College, etc.

As for the beach, from my parents' house (in East Oaklane, about 10 minutes from Jenkintown) I've gotten to Atlantic City in 1 hour 15 min, and Cape May (southernmost beach) in less than 2 hours (usually 1.5-1.75). You can take expressways the whole way down (AC Expressway to Garden State Parkway), or jump off to smaller highways (nice when the Expressway is jammed).