Should we live in the city or suburbs? (Philadelphia, Horsham: 2010, to rent)

[boringmember]

Hi everyone,

We're moving to Philadelphia this summer from Chicago to work in Center City. We have a baby and are trying to think of the best place to live. We can't decide if we want to rent for a couple of years in the city to experience it and then move to the suburbs for schools, move to U City in the Penn Alexander School district, move to the Main Line suburbs that are close to Center City in a good school district (we'd probably buy if the school district is good, but would love advice) or maybe live somewhere else? (open to suggestions). In any case, I'd like to be in a place where we can walk to things, have conveniences nearby etc. We'd want to have short commutes. I'd love to hear any and all suggestions!


When are you moving? This summer or early fall
Where are you coming from? Chicago
Why are you moving? Work
Where will you be working? Center city
Have you been here yet? Yes, for interviews etc

Will you buy or rent? Not sure - could use some guidance on that too. We'd want at least a 3 bedroom/2 bath place with parking. If buying, we'd spend up to 600k.

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married with a baby
Do you prefer public or private schools? Public (but good ones!)
Do you have pets? No
Do you want or need a yard? Some outdoor space would be nice
Are you keeping a car? Yes, one
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? We live on a quiet street now that's near bustling activity so we feel like we have the best of both worlds. Our place is quiet, but I can walk to the post office, get coffee etc. I don't want to be in a rural area or in prototypical suburbia.

What do you want to be closest to?
Work - 2
Shopping -3
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.) - 4
Nightlife - 5
Train or subway stations - 1

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? I like some diversity. I know this sounds weird, but I'd like it to be urban without being TOO urban.

Coke or Pepsi? Diet Cherry Coke Zero!

Thanks in advance for your help!

[newmarlig]

You might want to look in Queen Village. It's a bit south of center city/Society Hill, (but an easy walk). Meredith is an excellent public school.

[boringmember]

Thanks, I will check it out.

[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.

Right now Philly is predicted to have an 11% price correction by 3Q 2010 so if you can wait to buy, I would do so.

Check out places like Narberth, Wynnewood, Bala Cynwyd, Bryn Mawr and Lower Merion/Merion Station. Lower Merion schools are in the top 13 in the state. Radnors are in the top 5 but both areas are very wealthy and some would say snobby.

Further out along the R5 Regional Rail line is Tredyffrin Township (parts of Wayne and Devon, Berwyn, Paoli, parts of Malvern) the Tredyffrin-Easttown School District is 2nd best in the state; the high school is in the Top 100 in the country. The only other HS in this area on that list and even higher is Masterman High in the city, which your child would have to apply to attend.

In Southeast Delaware County (Delco) you should check out Wallingford-Swarthmore for liberal feel, collegiate atmosphere and great schools. It is right next to Media which has a truly walkable downtown complete with Trader Joes and very good schools as well.

Lastly there is always Jersey as the PATCO High Speed Line across the Benjamin Franklin Bridge can get you downtown faster than some places within the city limits. Check out Collingswood (liberal, gay friendly, having a Renaissance, I've read conflicting info on schools though), Cherry Hill, Haddon Heights or further south in places likes Swedesboro if newer housing developments are your thing.

[ooodsie]

How about going NE of the city into Bucks County.. Somewhere like Newtown or Yardley? Urban enough where you are near malls, restaurants etc but rural enough that there are local farms, orchards and whatnot. Also amazing schools, some of the top ranked in the state.

[boringmember]

Thanks a lot - that is helpful. Since we both work and have a baby, we really want to keep the commute time short, so I don't know if that influences the suggestions at all?

[MoorestownResident]

Originally Posted by boringmember

Hi everyone,

We're moving to Philadelphia this summer from Chicago to work in Center City. We have a baby and are trying to think of the best place to live. We can't decide if we want to rent for a couple of years in the city to experience it and then move to the suburbs for schools, move to U City in the Penn Alexander School district, move to the Main Line suburbs that are close to Center City in a good school district (we'd probably buy if the school district is good, but would love advice) or maybe live somewhere else? (open to suggestions). In any case, I'd like to be in a place where we can walk to things, have conveniences nearby etc. We'd want to have short commutes. I'd love to hear any and all suggestions!


When are you moving? This summer or early fall
Where are you coming from? Chicago
Why are you moving? Work
Where will you be working? Center city
Have you been here yet? Yes, for interviews etc

Will you buy or rent? Not sure - could use some guidance on that too. We'd want at least a 3 bedroom/2 bath place with parking. If buying, we'd spend up to 600k.

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married with a baby
Do you prefer public or private schools? Public (but good ones!)
Do you have pets? No
Do you want or need a yard? Some outdoor space would be nice
Are you keeping a car? Yes, one
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? We live on a quiet street now that's near bustling activity so we feel like we have the best of both worlds. Our place is quiet, but I can walk to the post office, get coffee etc. I don't want to be in a rural area or in prototypical suburbia.

What do you want to be closest to?
Work - 2
Shopping -3
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.) - 4
Nightlife - 5
Train or subway stations - 1

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? I like some diversity. I know this sounds weird, but I'd like it to be urban without being TOO urban.

Coke or Pepsi? Diet Cherry Coke Zero!

Thanks in advance for your help!

You have far better access to center city via the Patco train line living in NJ - towns with top schools include: Cherry Hill, Voorhees, Haddonfield, Moorestown, Marlton, Medford, Mullica Hill and Mount Laurel.

In terms of commuting times, Haddonfield is on the train line and the shortest commute, followed by Cherry Hill and Voorhees with Mullica Hill in Gloucester County the longest.

I strongly recommend looking in NJ before settling for any town in PA. The main line towns have a longer commute with fewer amenities and conveniences than towns in NJ. Plus NJ gives you access to the shore and major arteries running north and south along the northeast corridor.

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by boringmember

Thanks a lot - that is helpful. Since we both work and have a baby, we really want to keep the commute time short, so I don't know if that influences the suggestions at all?

If by short commute, you mean, for example, 45 minutes door-to-door, that would knock out Bucks County, the areas within the Treddryfin School District and possibly Swarthmore/Media. The aforementioned closer-in R5/Main Line towns (Narberth, Ardmore, Wynnewood, etc.), the NJ towns on or near the PATCO lines and, of course, the neighborhoods of Center City as well as adjacent Queen Village and even University City. Coming from Chicago, you may be used to the concept of on-street or rented parking, which will be the case with most homes in or close to downtown.

The Philadelphia School District, despite its issues, has some diamonds in the rough. On the elementary school level, you'll find many of the more reputable schools in Center City, Queen Village and, as you've already discovered, University City. <Cue member newmarlig for the list of downtown schools that I always forget.> I'm not knowledgeable about middle school; it could indeed be tricky. Besides Masterman (grades 7-12?) for gifted kids, Central is arguably the best school in the city. There are also numerous magnet schools. Charter schools are an increasing option as well. In short, you will have to be proactive as your child approaches middle school to ensure s/he has the best options available.

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.

[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?

[MoorestownResident]

All of the towns in NJ are roughly 35 minutes or less except Moorestown and Mount Laurel (about 45) and Mullica Hill. Honestly, the PA burbs are a pain in the neck for commuting to center city, you'll rely on Septa, which is unreliable. The roads in PA are terrible. Haddonfield is your best choice, about 15 minutes to center city on the Patco. Haddonfield's downtown is very walkable. It's a no-brainer IMO. I work in center city, takes me 45 minutes from Moorestown but I have a good 10 minute walk after taking Patco to its last stop. I have PA colleagues commuting shorter distances taking an hour or more to get in each day. Don't do it.