Should we live in the city or suburbs? (Philadelphia, Narberth: 2009, coop)

[rainrock]

Id rent a place in one of the Center City neighborhoods for a year(Rittenhouse,Art Museum,Soceity Hill,Fitler Square Logan Square) As the need for public schools gets closer Id suggest a move to the western suburbs e.g. Wynnewood,Merion,Narberth,Bryn Mawr,Radnor,Wayne)


Good luck.

[boringmember]

Rainrock, we were thinking that might be the best option for us while we get to know the area. We'd want a bit of space (versus a standard high rise apartment). Are there particular resources you know of that we should investigate?

[juniperbleu]

Originally Posted by Tone509

I would be remiss if I didn't include my blatantly biased suggestion of home area above the "V" in Philly: Abington,Cheltenham,Jenkintown,Upper Dublin,Lower/Upper Moreland, Hatboro and Horsham. They are all older bedroom communities where you can generally will be close enough to your neighbor where you'll neither have to yodel nor literally rub elbows. The schools are generally solid, if not with the stellar reputation of many in the far NW burbs. You will have your choice of up to three commuter rail lines into the city for a 25-40 ride into Center City.

I'll second the biased suggestion of the "V". The schools are decent, with some good Catholic/private options as well. You can also take one of the 3 lines from multiple stations. Outside of rush hour, you're about 30 minutes or so from Center City (driving; and I'm thinking about Jenkintown/Elkins Park), 15-20 from Chestnut Hill. Jenkintown itself also has a cute little "downtown" area, as does Glenside.

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by boringmember

Thanks a lot! By short, I was hoping for about half an hour or less (door to door). I'm not sure if that is possible? I think we have to figure out what kind of lifestyle we want. We don't want to be in a place where we can't walk to anything and there are loads of strip malls. But we don't want to be in a place where we can't afford even a tiny yard or patio for our baby as she gets older either.... Are there areas where you have a bit of both?

You'd be knocking out a few more contenders, leaving you with Wynnewood to the NW (Main Line), Jenkintown/Elkins Park/Melrose Park to the N and Collingswood, Westmont, Haddonfield and Cherry Hill (via Woodcrest PATCO) over in NJ. For $600K, you should be able to buy a comfortable if not palatial home in all of these places and be able to walk or drive quickly to many places... with the possible exception of sprawled-out and expensive Cherry Hill.

In-town, you may be able to get some breathing room in University City, West Mt. Airy and (if you up your budget a bit) Chestnut Hill.

[boringmember]

Thanks a lot - you all have been so helpful! I don't mind trading space for proximity to some extent. It sounds like there are some good options for me to investigate.

Do any of you have kids? I'd be really interested in the experience of having/raising them in the city versus the suburbs. Thanks so much!

[juniperbleu]

Originally Posted by boringmember

Do any of you have kids? I'd be really interested in the experience of having/raising them in the city versus the suburbs. Thanks so much!

I don't have kids, but I was raised in the East Oaklane area of Philadelphia. Honestly, I love the neighborhood where I grew up and would ideally like to purchase my parents' house. We were close to a lot of things (15-20 minute drive to Jenkintown/Abington, Chestnut Hill, Center City; 20-30 minutes to King of Prussia; 45-60 minutes to the "country" in Bucks County). My parents liked me being exposed to the diversity of the neighborhood (not everyone was white, Italian/Irish Catholic). Though there are exceptions, I have noticed a difference between my personal outlook and those who grew up further out in the 'burbs.

Regarding schools, the public schools are admittedly not the best. I went to Catholic school, which is fairly common for those whose families can afford it. That said, if you are vigilant you can work with the school district. There are decent elementary schools and good middle schools (especially if you look into magnates or charters). Some high schools are among the best in the area (Central, Masterman). Despite going to a private Catholic elementary school, I did seriously consider going to Central or Girls' High. There are also some great specialized programs that, if I had to do it again, I would have taken advantage of (i.e. international affairs at Bodine).

[Tone509]

I keep forgetting about East Oak Lane. It's kind of a "hidden treasure" along the "V" that abuts both the 'burbs as well as some less popular city neighborhoods.

I know a family (who happens to be white) that moved there six years ago with their then teenage son and daughter. I have no idea where one would go to school in the neighborhood but I know the daughter was able to get into Central. Parochial (Catholic) school is a popular choice throughout the city and possibly the best one to make in that area, at least until the public high school option becomes available.

[boringmember]

Thanks so much!

[JHG722]

Originally Posted by MoorestownResident

The main line towns have a longer commute with fewer amenities and conveniences than towns in NJ.

What exactly are we missing that South Jersey has? Also, how is 20 minutes a long commute? Getting to CC is a joke from most of the Main Line.

[orrmobl]

MoorestownResident lives in NJ and loves it so that he "massages" the facts about PA to it's detriment. Please take his advice with a mound of salt...