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Old 03-15-2009, 06:25 PM
MRR MRR started this thread
 
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Is it possible to buy a modest (2-3 bdr) home in the suburbs for under $225,000, within commuting distance from Philly and in a decent school district, or am I kidding myself? We have been looking for awhile, with no luck. Any suggestions would be much appreciated...
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Old 03-15-2009, 09:08 PM
 
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Try Phoenixville, Perkiomen, Downingtown school districts. You can get a twin or row or small single in places like Springfield, maybe Havertown. Also don't forget Ridley Park, Glenolden, Secane, Norwood, Prospect Park, maybe Parkside.
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Old 03-15-2009, 11:27 PM
 
Location: Yardley PA
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Fairless Hills, Levittown (only the parts in Middletown or Falls township), Langhorne.
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Old 03-16-2009, 06:20 AM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MRR View Post
Is it possible to buy a modest (2-3 bdr) home in the suburbs for under $225,000, within commuting distance from Philly and in a decent school district, or am I kidding myself? We have been looking for awhile, with no luck. Any suggestions would be much appreciated...
How far of a commute would you consider a reasonable distance that you could do daily? Are you commuting by car or train? I'm asking because honestly, I think people kid themselves sometimes with the distance of their commutes. I have friends who work in Center City and decided to buy in Phoenixville and Collegeville and they now dread their commute, the traffic can be bad, and taking the train can be more difficult than not. One friend found a job he likes less in the opposite direction because the commute was tiresome. I also know people who do that commute everyday without much problem or complaint. So, what kind of commute are you looking for? Its different for most people what an acceptable commuting distance is.

Without knowing the above, I would suggest in the more reasonable commute area with good school districts to look into Norristown and Ardmore especially, there should be at least a few 3 br/1 ba homes in those areas right in your price range. Both of those areas have trains to downtown and you can commute by car.
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Old 03-16-2009, 09:50 AM
 
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conshohocken/norristown area might work. commute to center city by car or regional rail is about 30 minutes. homes may be on the older/smaller side, but i think $225 is possible, especially right now with prices dropping.
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Old 03-16-2009, 09:11 PM
 
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7 Jeffrey Ln, Cinnaminson, NJ, 08077 - MLS ID#5362511 - Single Family Home real estate - REALTOR.com® (http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/7-Jeffrey-Ln_Cinnaminson_NJ_08077_1100073253 - broken link)
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Old 03-17-2009, 07:14 AM
 
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If you're open to NJ you should be able to find a ranch, bungalow or a twin in Haddon Township, Collingswood, Oaklyn or Audubon in this price range. All of these are near PATCO and the bridges for easy commuting. School districts are decent.
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Old 03-17-2009, 07:48 AM
 
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Norristown schools are awful...disregard any suggestions to live in that school district...
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Old 03-18-2009, 04:28 AM
MRR MRR started this thread
 
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Default thanks!

Thank you for all of your suggestions...we will definitely check some of these places out!
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Old 03-20-2009, 10:24 PM
 
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Levittown...try lowball offers on nicer properties.
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