info on philly burbs, esp. jenkintown and elkins park (Philadelphia: 2009, apartment)

[jun21]

Hi,

We will be relocating to Philadelphia this summer, for a job at Penn. We have a 3-year-old child, and want to live in an area with excellent public schools, nice (preferably older) homes, easy commuting to Center City and, if possible, walkability to restaurants and stores. Which of Jenkintown or Elikins Park would be a better fit, given these wants?

Also, are there other areas we should consider?

Finally, why is it that houses in communities on the Main Line seem to be significantly more expensive than those in Jenkintown or Elkins Park?

I'll be completing the questionnaire provided on the forum below.

Thanks in advance for your help!

When are you moving? Summer 2009
Where are you coming from? Washington, DC
Why are you moving? work
Where will you be working? UPenn
Have you been here yet? Yes

Will you buy or rent? buy
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend? House, up to $900K
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend?
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up?

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married with child
Do you prefer public or private schools? Public, if excellent
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? either, but access to good kids' activities is a must

What do you want to be closest to?
Work
Shopping
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.) -- very important
Nightlife
Train or subway stations -- very important

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

Coke or Pepsi? Coke zero

[maf763]

The two areas are in very close proximity, but there are a couple of differences to consider. Commuting is easier from Jenkintown because some trains skip the Elkins Park and Melrose Park stations. While there are some shops and restaurants in Elkins Park, Jenkintown is overall more walkable, with more choices and better sidewalks. In Elkins Park, you're liable to have more yard space. Both Jenkintown and Cheltenham school districts are pretty good, Jenkintown's is tiny (one elem., one MS, one HS) while Cheltenham's is (by suburban standards) a pretty big district. You'll find more services and diversity in Cheltenham schools, but a cozier experience in Jenkintown. There are plenty of older homes in both places.

The Main Line has traditionally been more expensive - once you get a couple of blocks from the train line, you'll find estates and much larger homes than you'll find in Jenkintown.

[ooodsie]

I would definitly say Jenkintown over Elkins Park. I think it has a safer smaller feel to it and opposed to Elkins Park. Have you considered any other suburbs? If you're willing to commute roughly 30-40 minutes you could be looking in Bucks County, specifically Yardley/Newtown. Newtown has some gorgeous houses, a center of town with a "small town" feel - aka Main Street USA, some great restaurants, a ban on fast food and neon signs.. Very very nice.

[juniperbleu]

With Elkins Park v. Jenkintown, I could go either way. Although I agree with what others mentioned about more trains stopping at the Jenkintown station than the Elkins or Melrose Park stations. They're both so close to each other that I almost consider them the same place when I go (we're talking a 5-10 minute drive). If you like that area you could also check out Glenside.

As for the Main Line, that's where the "Money" has traditionally gone to live, so it's a much pricier area than Jenkintown or Elkins Park.

[VivaLaEvie]

Both are great communities. Jenkintown is better from a walkability point - there are many businesses that are walking distance and a great train station.

I would also look at Wyncote and Glenside. These are places with lovely older homes and nice community feelings. Glenside has a nice little business district - Keswick Village is cute.

The Jenkintown and Glenside train stations are the best to be near, as there are frequent trains from both of them.

[ooodsie]

I second Glenside as well.

[silverspringer]

Have you considered Swarthmore? I know it's not remotely the same area, but it seems to me that if excellent public schools are truly one of your top priorities you might consider Swarthmore (because it is on the R3, for easy access to Penn) or Lower Merion. I am not saying the schools in Jenkintown or Elkins Park are bad per se, but I don't think anyone would say they are in the same league as some of the other suburban school districts.

Jenkintown is unusual in that it is such a tiny independent school district, which has benefits and drawbacks.

I prefer both Wyncote and Glenside to Elkins Park.

[bryson662001]

One point about jenkintown. It is a small semi-urban boro surrounded by suburban Abington and Cheltenham townships. The jenkintown zip code covers a larger area then just the boro so parts of Abington township also use the jenkintown address although they aren't actually in jenkintown. Many people in Rydal (a posh neighborhood in Abington) for example use the jenkintown address. just somthing to be aware of.

[Synergy1]

Jenkintown would be my first choice.

My wife retired from Penn as an administrator after 27 years. I worked for the govt. 15 minutes away and we lived in Newtown Square. School are rated very high in Broomall-Newtown Square. Taxes are a tad lower in Newtown Square for the amount of home and grounds. They keep close watch on the things that make RE taxes rise. Parking at Penn is kind of expensive and if you are going there to work and able to get part of your "contract" to include parking, it will be better. Most good parking is indoors and 5 years ago parking cost in the neighborhood of $4 a day.