Should we live in the city or suburbs? (Philadelphia, Lancaster: real estate, insurance)

[boringmember]

I appreciate all of the advice! How would I find out what the catchment areas are for Meredith, McCall and Greenfield? Are any of those in Chestnut Hill? I found the Penn Alexander one online, but wasn't sure if there was an easy way to find the others? I like having a diversity of opinions, so this whole discussion is very helpful.

[Vicman]

Originally Posted by orrmobl

Do not bother with city schools - you will only be moving once the middle school lottery starts up. Also the taxes for working AND living there are high.

Meredith is a K-8, so if he goes to Queen Village he doesn't have to worry until high school.

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.

It doesn't matter that much if it's in the ghetto. Since Central gets people from all over the district, it doesn't represent its surroundings. One can simply go to Central and then leave at the end of the school day; he/she doesn't have to hang out in the hood.

[Sassygirl18]

If I had $600K to spend and children, and wanted a nice walkable area with easy transportation to the city, I'd pick Haddonfield, NJ. Honestly, you could not pick a nicer or more beautiful place. The schools are top-knotch, it's a drop-dead gorgeous historic town with a charming main street - very walkable, safe and you have the PATCO high speedline which has a stop in Haddonfield which will whisk you into Center City in 15-20 minutes. This is not a cookie cutter, strip-mall town at all (although you will be within a 5 minute drive of malls, shopping centers, groceries markets galore - it's very conveniently located).

The downside is property taxes which are high (although from my research there are some PA towns that are just as high so be careful). Oh, and re-reading your original post, the only other downside is Haddonfield is not a diverse town. It's pretty much white upper-middle to upper class. Not remotely urban in vibe (despite its convenience to Philadelphia).

Here's a typical $600K home in Haddonfield. I definitely recommend you pay a visit to Haddonfield. You won't be disappointed.

Mod cut - sorry

[boringmember]

Thanks everyone! Please keep the ideas coming. It is so helpful and I appreciate your time.

[MoorestownResident]

Originally Posted by Sassygirl18

If I had $600K to spend and children, and wanted a nice walkable area with easy transportation to the city, I'd pick Haddonfield, NJ. Honestly, you could not pick a nicer or more beautiful place. The schools are top-knotch, it's a drop-dead gorgeous historic town with a charming main street - very walkable, safe and you have the PATCO high speedline which has a stop in Haddonfield which will whisk you into Center City in 15-20 minutes. This is not a cookie cutter, strip-mall town at all (although you will be within a 5 minute drive of malls, shopping centers, groceries markets galore - it's very conveniently located).

The downside is property taxes which are high (although from my research there are some PA towns that are just as high so be careful). Oh, and re-reading your original post, the only other downside is Haddonfield is not a diverse town. It's pretty much white upper-middle to upper class. Not remotely urban in vibe (despite its convenience to Philadelphia).

Here's a typical $600K home in Haddonfield. I definitely recommend you pay a visit to Haddonfield. You won't be disappointed.

Mod cut - sorry

You can lead a horse to water but some insist on learning the hard way. You would never, ever, convince me to spend $600K+ anywhere in PA outside of maybe a couple main line towns and perhaps Chadds Ford. And that's a maybe.

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by MoorestownResident

You can lead a horse to water but some insist on learning the hard way. You would never, ever, convince me to spend $600K+ anywhere in PA outside of maybe a couple main line towns and perhaps Chadds Ford. And that's a maybe.

I also supported the idea earlier in this thread that South Jersey could work for (presumably) Center City commuters like the OP... and now that I think of it, people who work in Bucks County as well.

That said, with the majority of metro job growth happening in the western PA suburbs, the idea of trekking on the turnpike over to NJ would be pretty daunting... especially considering the more-than-viable options one would be passing up on the way.

[rainrock]

Originally Posted by MoorestownResident

You can lead a horse to water but some insist on learning the hard way. You would never, ever, convince me to spend $600K+ anywhere in PA outside of maybe a couple main line towns and perhaps Chadds Ford. And that's a maybe.

Chester County is the 21st wealthiest county in the usa.Montgomery County the 41 st wealthiest county in the usa because they are so unlivable.

Your lack of perception concerning the 4 Pa suburban counties could fill volumes.


I can name about 50 towns off the top of my head just in the western suburbs(DelawareCounty/Chester County/Main Line) within an hour of Center City that a family could be extremely happy living if they had $600k budget.

Swarthmore
Media
Rose Valley
Upper Providence(Delaware County)
Middletown Township
Gradyville
Marple Township
Newtown Square
St Davids
Radnor
Edgmont
Willistown
Westtown
Glen Mills
West Chester
East Goshen
West Goshen
Thornbury
Concord Township
Bethel Township
Garnet Valley
Chadds Ford
Pocopson
East Brandywine
Devon
Exton
Chester Springs
Malvern
Charleston Township
Eagleview
Lionville
Pickering Valley
Yellow Springs
Chesterbrook
Gulph Mills
Tredyffrin Township
Great Valley
Berwyn
Paoli
Wayne
Villanova
Gladwyne
Rosemont
Penn Valley
Haverford
Bryn Mawr
Ardmore
Narberth
Wynnewood

[boringmember]

So, after all this discussion, I think I need to do more research! We are leaning towards renting for a little while to investigate the areas more fully before committing to buying. We'd likely rent in Center City somewhere. Are there resources that anyone can suggest for us to find good rental properties?

Thanks!

[MoorestownResident]

Originally Posted by rainrock

Chester County is the 21st wealthiest county in the usa.Montgomery County the 41 st wealthiest county in the usa because they are so unlivable.

Your lack of perception concerning the 4 Pa suburban counties could fill volumes.


I can name about 50 towns off the top of my head just in the western suburbs(DelawareCounty/Chester County/Main Line) within an hour of Center City that a family could be extremely happy living if they had $600k budget.

Swarthmore
Media
Rose Valley
Upper Providence(Delaware County)
Middletown Township
Gradyville
Marple Township
Newtown Square
St Davids
Radnor
Edgmont
Willistown
Westtown
Glen Mills
West Chester
East Goshen
West Goshen
Thornbury
Concord Township
Bethel Township
Garnet Valley
Chadds Ford
Pocopson
East Brandywine
Devon
Exton
Chester Springs
Malvern
Charleston Township
Eagleview
Lionville
Pickering Valley
Yellow Springs
Chesterbrook
Gulph Mills
Tredyffrin Township
Great Valley
Berwyn
Paoli
Wayne
Villanova
Gladwyne
Rosemont
Penn Valley
Haverford
Bryn Mawr
Ardmore
Narberth
Wynnewood

Anyone can name 50 towns within an hour of center city. Unfortunately, towns like Princeton, Moorestown, Haddonfield, Mount Laurel, Marlton, Voorhees, Cherry Hill, Medford, Ocean City, pretty much define the stature and vibrancy of the greater region, then you get into some of the better known main line towns and other burbs in PA. Plus nobody has ever heard of these PA towns. You don't see stories on the them in the NY Times like you do the NJ towns.

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by MoorestownResident

Anyone can name 50 towns within an hour of center city. Unfortunately, towns like Princeton, Moorestown, Haddonfield, Mount Laurel, Marlton, Voorhees, Cherry Hill, Medford, Ocean City, pretty much define the stature and vibrancy of the greater region, then you get into some of the better known main line towns and other burbs in PA. Plus nobody has ever heard of these PA towns. You don't see stories on the them in the NY Times like you do the NJ towns.

I respect if not necessarily agree with your opinion of what the quinntessential towns are in this area. However, I would think that you read more about NJ than PA in the NY Times because... NJ is closer to NY.