Should we live in the city or suburbs? (Philadelphia, Chester: appointed, rental)

[orrmobl]

While everyone is rah-rahing Central High, let's not forget it is in the ghetto. I drove through there with my wife, who is an alum, 10+ years ago and it was rough looking then; it's far worse now. Fail.

I would just skip the city and check out Narberth and the other places I and others have mentioned. Moving is a drag, moving with kids even worse and doing it twice in a short span is beyond painful. Chances are very good you will not be satisfied with city schools and will move to the burbs like so many other young families do when their kids reach school age; I say cut out the transition and just settle in in the burb of your liking. Philly isn't the most friendly town to begin with and with the current economy I'm sure muggings and theft are on the rise - why bother?

[boringmember]

Originally Posted by JHG722

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.

Yeah, I was looking it up through the train schedule and google maps and it seems that the closer towns are pretty close?

[Tone509]

South Jersey does have its advantages, especially if you work in Center City and live close enough to the bridges or PATCO. But I wouldn't say that any one area is a default "best location" despite many stated preferences... even my beloved "V" area.

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by orrmobl

While everyone is rah-rahing Central High, let's not forget it is in the ghetto. I drove through there with my wife, who is an alum, 10+ years ago and it was rough looking then; it's far worse now. Fail.

I would just skip the city and check out Narberth and the other places I and others have mentioned. Moving is a drag, moving with kids even worse and doing it twice in a short span is beyond painful. Chances are very good you will not be satisfied with city schools and will move to the burbs like so many other young families do when their kids reach school age; I say cut out the transition and just settle in in the burb of your liking. Philly isn't the most friendly town to begin with and with the current economy I'm sure muggings and theft are on the rise - why bother?

I suppose one man's ghetto is another's working-class neighborhood. Granted, the area surroundng Central wouldn't be my first choice to live, but there are, sadly, worse neighborhoods in Philly.

One certainly can't deny the general superiority of suburban schools or relative safety to be found in the Philly suburbs. But assuming the OP is from Chicago proper and not "Chicagoland", they are likely familiar with the benefits and challenges of raising a family in the city... albeit one with admittedly more contiguous desirable neighborhoods.

[boringmember]

Thanks! Our baby is still pretty new, so we haven't really done the city with a baby thing that long! We're sort of vacillating between the city vs burbs decision because we're city people, but aren't sure what is the best way to go......

[JHG722]

Originally Posted by boringmember

Yeah, I was looking it up through the train schedule and google maps and it seems that the closer towns are pretty close?

From the city? Yeah. I get from Wynnewood to Temple in 28 minutes on a slow day. It's no big deal to get from the Main Line to the city either via SEPTA or driving.

[eggtimer]

in your price range you can buy a nice place in chestmut hill which is in philadelphia county. it's about half way between every decision you are trying to make. short drive to CC and the burbs, feels slightly urban/slightly suburban, lots of greenery, lots of boutiqey type shopping along main street, new food coop opening. good elementary public school that will allow time for you to decide what to do about middle school.

[eggtimer]

*chestnut

[fifi le pew]

If I were you I might rent for a year or so, and see if you like the city. Many/most people here will tell you philly schools "suck". This is an over-generalization. If you can afford and desire to live in some of the Center City or surrounding neighborhoods, the schools, at least through elementary (which is generally considered 8th grade) are very good. I say this as a parent of a public school student with numerous friends and acquaintances who have children in city public schools.

Not everyone flees to the suburbs. Meredith, Penn Alexander, McCall and Greenfield are filled with neighborhood kids whose parents have chosen to raise kids in the city. If you walk through many of the Center City n'hoods (ie; queen village, wash west, fitler square) you will see tons of kids (and not just toddlers)

Hey, it's certainly not for everyone, but if you are a "city person" and have financial resources to purchase in a desirable catchment, I think your education can easily be on par with a top suburban school. Plus, if you and spouse work in Center City, you actually get to spend significantly more time with your kids, and can go from work to attend events, conferences, etc, without taking whole days off work.

You are getting lots of input from suburbanites in PA and NJ, so just wanted to let you know that there are tons of city folks who actually attend public school here and are getting a good education.

[orrmobl]

Olney the Lonely :: Cover Story :: Philadelphia City Paper :: Philadelphia Arts, Restaurants, Music, Movies, Jobs, Classifieds, Blogs

And as far as my input goes, my opinion on the school system and family living come from people on this blog. Teachers send their own kids to Catholic schools and tell you how bad the district is and to avoid it. People lament having to move when the lottery for middle school got to be such a grind and a risk - so they just up and move.

I'm passing on what others in the same situation have done, not what I would myself do...the two just happen to coincide.