Best Starter Home Philly Suburbs (Philadelphia, Levittown: credit, first time home buyer, neighborhoods)

[RSign]

My husband and starting to look at neighborhoods in the Philadelphia area suburbs to purchase a home. We live and work in Philadephia now, and would ideally like to be situated 15-30 minutes outside of the city. We don't want to commute from NJ. Our budget would be in the 200-275k range. Since we'll be looking to start a family in the near future, good pre-K and elementary schools are a must. Would be great if the local public high school is good as well. Were do you get the biggest bang for your buck right now?

[orrmobl]

Havertown, Pilgrim Gardens section of Drexel Hill, Springfield, Delco, Swarthmore/Nether Providence and Media though you may be in a twin vs a single...Wallingford-Swarthmore schools are top notch and Rose Tree Media's are very very good as well... Haverford schools are also very good...

If you move further out you can look at places like Broomall and Newtown Square (Marple Newtown SD) and Ridley Park/Secane (Ridley SD) and Brookhaven/Parkside/parts of Aston in the Sun Valley SD.

[ooodsie]

Is a townhome okay? There are a ton of fantastic deals for townhomes in Langhorne which would get you Neshaminy blue ribbon schools, and be in the 200-250k price range. Also there are some ranchers in Fairless Hills if you want a single family home, and they are in Pennsbury school district and make great starter homes (approx 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, almost 1/4 acre lots). Both of these options are in the 200-250k range and great for first time home buyers. If you purchase before Dec 1 of this year you will also get the 8k tax credit (which is actually like a grant because you don't have to pay it back!) .. So keep that in mind It's a great incentive for buyers.

[thesixth]

Besides those mentioned above, you could check northern suburbs like Glenside and Jenkintown. They have quick commutes into town. For your price, you are probably looking at twins or smaller cape cods in those areas.

[bryson662001]

The portion of Levittown, Bucks County that is located in Middletown Township has great public schools (Neshaminy), is a major shopping hub and has great starter homes in your price range. It is about 20-25 miles north of Center City on I-95 or RT 1.

[RSign]

we definitely want a single family home vs. a townhome or twin. Places that have been coming up as I talk to people are havertown, springfield, abington, media, narberth and then manayunk, roxborough, east falls, and drexel hill (as long as we move before any kids we may have hit high school).

[orrmobl]

Originally Posted by RSign

we definitely want a single family home vs. a townhome or twin. Places that have been coming up as I talk to people are havertown, springfield, abington, media, narberth and then manayunk, roxborough, east falls, and drexel hill (as long as we move before any kids we may have hit high school).

Even the elementary schools in the UD district are receiving subpar ratings (Hillcrest is good, Aronmink is avg, Garrettford is below avg). I would just scratch the Upper Darby school district off your list and move on.

Like I said before, Pilgrim Gardens is DH post office but Haverford schools which are good.

[byoak]

I would say Abington or Havertown.

[kelb]

I'm biased since I grew up there, but Levittown in Bucks County offers super value in the $200K range. Stay in Falls Twp for the Pennsbury schools...slightly better than Neshaminy.
Good luck with your move.

[twista6002]

Can't go wrong with anything in Montgomery County