Moving to Horsham/Abington PA (Philadelphia, Willow Grove: to rent, condo, house)

[newneel]

Hi,
We are young couple around 30. I am working in Duluth, GA (Atlanta). My wife has a potential offer from willow grove/Jenkintown/abington area company. I have also couple of potential opportunities going on in that area. I have never been to Philly and have never seen this area. Offers are good but, we don't know anything about this city.

- How would you compare Atlanta suberb with Horsham area in Philly ?
- Which area we should live (first planning to rent and then possibily own a house/condo).
- Safety is the first concern for us. so, please suggest a good area nearby. We don't want to commute more than 20 minutes. We both have a car.
- Also, how would you compare the salary difference between Atlanta and Philly suberbs...?

I am really tensed regarding this move and don't know if that's the right move or not.

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by newneel

Hi,
We are young couple around 30. I am working in Duluth, GA (Atlanta). My wife has a potential offer from willow grove/Jenkintown/abington area company. I have also couple of potential opportunities going on in that area. I have never been to Philly and have never seen this area. Offers are good but, we don't know anything about this city.

- How would you compare Atlanta suberb with Horsham area in Philly ?
- Which area we should live (first planning to rent and then possibily own a house/condo).
- Safety is the first concern for us. so, please suggest a good area nearby. We don't want to commute more than 20 minutes. We both have a car.
- Also, how would you compare the salary difference between Atlanta and Philly suberbs...?

I am really tensed regarding this move and don't know if that's the right move or not.

While the Philadelphia suburbs in general are not as diverse as in Atlanta, it doesn't get much more diverse than the greater Abington/Willow Grove/Horsham areas. These are also older bedroom communities where you should feel comfortable. You'd be hard pressed to find a truly "bad" area in this part of the northern suburbs (save perhaps Crestmont, for example... but it's not North Philly by a long shot). I believe City-Data has a page where you can compare salaries. You'll definitely make more here in Philly but it will be somewhat more expensive.

[TracySam]

Agree. Most of the towns are decent around there.

But be aware that Route 611 is a virtual parking lot. Bumper to bumper traffic most days of the week and all times of the day. It could take a half hour to only go a few miles. Your 20-minute-and-under commute could be greatly affected by any time spent on 611.

[juniperbleu]

Originally Posted by TracySam

But be aware that Route 611 is a virtual parking lot. Bumper to bumper traffic most days of the week and all times of the day. It could take a half hour to only go a few miles. Your 20-minute-and-under commute could be greatly affected by any time spent on 611.

I dunno, I've never found it to be that horrible. Yes, things happen, but outside of rush hour I can usually get to Jenkintown in 10 minutes easily and Willow Grove in 20. During rush hour I usually add 5 minutes. Finding alternate routes helps a lot.

Of course, I generally don't go as far north as the Turnpike, that's where it can get bad. And now I'm used to I-95South in Virginia, so most places don't seem that bad to me...

[AJSKI]

Welcome to the area! I live in Hatboro which is right next to Horsham. I believe that you will enjoy it here. Abington is more diverse than Horsham is and is more walkable. Horsham is generally builder communities while Abington is more of a planned city. You may want to check out Hatboro too. It's walkable and has many shops at your disposal. I would check out Hatboro, Horsham, Abington, Upper Moreland and Jenkintown. I'm not too sure I'd want to buy in Willow Grove there are some shady areas. You would be very close to everything (within 20 minutes definitely).

I've never been to Atlanta so I cant compare salaries but depending on the job you have you should fair well. My hubby and I make a little over 80k a year combined and we get by alright. Granted we bought our house before the housing boom, but I think you'd do okay.

[bryson662001]

From the city line north through Cheltenham and Abington it has a little of a Buckhead feel to it, especially east of Rt 611. It is a pretty upscale area. North of Abington through Willow Grove and west of 611 it becomes more middle/working class. North of Willow Grove to Horsham is hard to describe except that traffic up there is really bad and there seems to be construction going on continuously for years. South of Willow Grove was built out by the 1960's so it is more established and manicured. Horsham is still a little raw and less attractive IMO. Horsham has a lot of office parks and big box shopping Centers and is a major employment center which adds to the confusion.

[newneel]

Thank You all for your help. This will help me checking out the place while I am there this weekend.