Which suburb would you recommend! (Philadelphia, Drexel Hill: houses, neighborhoods, to buy)

[nespera]

Hi
My husband and I are looking to buy a house preferably a twin with garage in a nice liberal suburb of Philadelphia. We are looking for some place friendly to outsiders with a small town feel, with shops etc and easy access to center city (husband works in Center City). Schools aren’t an issue and we don’t want a large yard. We are empty nesters looking to downsize. We looked into Drexel Hill, but the houses are kind of large, expensive and very outdated for us. Are there some other places we should check out that fit our criteria? We are looking to spend around 220,000 and don’t really care for new construction.

[bryson662001]

Why not consider NE Philadelphia? Many great neighborhoods north of Cottman Ave on both sides of the Blvd. The area arround the NE airport and Franklin Mills is nice and also around Pennypack Park and of course there is Somerton. Twins and row houses are scarce outside the city and tend to be in "unfortunate" neighborhoods.

[sbhubbell]

There are plenty of twins around the burbs, not all in unfortunate neighborhoods. I would check out Springfield and Havertown, maybe Media or Brookhaven, and Aston/Chichester area. Ridley Park too, although that area is not quite as nice as the others.

[ajb842]

I also recommend Elkins Park-there are some realyl great twins that have tons of charm and their own driveways and yards in that area,for under or around what you are comfortable paying. Also Glenside has tons, as well as some parts of Wyndmoor and Flourtown. All are reasonable distance from CC and great neighborhoods.

[orrmobl]

Lansdowne has reasonable housing and liberal folks and Wallingford/Swarthmore is definitely liberal enough...also check out Media ....though I would recommend you recheck Drexel Hill too...

[nespera]

Thanks for all your help!! We shall look at some of these areas this weekend. Does anyone know which have better access to center city? I would like to check out Elkins Park and Wallingford/Swarthmore. Drexel Hill is not out of the question, but it is good to compare. It all depends on what we find really.

[LLOJ]

Noble is really nice.

[eggtimer]

if schools aren't an issue, you don't need a yard, an you aren't looking for new construction, then why not some of the neighborhoods in the NW section of the city? Mt. Airy and Germantown both have a small town feel, are pretty friendly communities, and have main shopping areas with stores, restaurants, bars, etc. Both are also convenient to center city.

220,000 should get you nice little (or big) twin in nice parts of these neighborhoods. a garage may take a little more investigating.

[thefirst48]

Check out the "Cobblestone" neighborhood in Hatfield Township. Far enough away from the big city but close enough by train.Just the right size for a family of 4 and not to big for a downsizing couple.Houses are going for $220,000 to $240,000. We have been here 20 years and raised 2 children and are empty nesters now.
The house are Colonial twins,3BR,1.5 baths,1 car garage with small yards.Some are even 2 BR but with no garage. Hope this helps!

[thesixth]

Originally Posted by nespera

Thanks for all your help!! We shall look at some of these areas this weekend. Does anyone know which have better access to center city? I would like to check out Elkins Park and Wallingford/Swarthmore. Drexel Hill is not out of the question, but it is good to compare. It all depends on what we find really.

All the commutes times to CC would be pretty similar from these areas.
I agree with the others who have mentioned Havertown too.