Media v. Jenkintown v. Ardmore v. Mt. Airy? (Philadelphia, Swarthmore: crime rate, house)

[2e1m5a]

I second "Upper East Mount Airy". It has all the amenities you stated and is very diverse-except for the schools which tend to be predominantly AA. However I do believe that Jenks and CW Henry are usually regarded as decent schools. There are also several charter, private and catholic schools. And there is always Masterman which is consistently ranked as one of the best in the state

[PeeAye Native]

I'll comment on Ardmore, as I have sent a lot of time there in the last few years.

Schools: Public is Lower Merion School District. Rated pretty high, top 10, statewide. Property taxes accordingly high if you're a property owner. There are lots and lots of private schools in the area also. Many families send their kids to these private schools, and it's expensive to do so. In my opinion there's clearly a private school arms race factor, to send your kiddies to the most prestigious one.

Walkable: Definitely yes. You see lots of people walking. This is mainly on the main arterial roads (Lancaster Ave, Montgomery Ave.) Many of the winding back residential streets have no sidewalks. Parks and playgrounds, good areas for walking? Yes, but not always located on the main arterial roads. On side streets, and I do see people walking to and from them.

Walkable downtown: Yes, many restaurants, upscale, casual, pizza by the slice, hoagie shops, ice cream shops, etc. Mostly mom and pop, a very few chains (Subway, I-Hop, Corner Bakery).

You'l find all kinds of houses. From multi million dollar estates to luxury condos. With one exception, a clear and noticeable lack of 'affordable housing', example, the township police as a rule do not live in the township, because they can't afford a place, and the township mandates a small percentage (say 5%) of affordable housing when approving any new multi-unit residential development/redevelopment plans.

Houses with charm and a bit of a yard (not Toll Brothers): Somewhat easy to find, but you'll have to look long and hard to find them in the lower price ranges.

Friendly people; and, very importantly, diversity of residents: These points would raise a caution flag. People are friendly as in being polite. But do they go out of their way to help you? Clearly the exception, not the rule. Diversity: Racially, not very diverse. There are two main demographic groups, IMO: Upper middle class families with kids, and college students. A distant third is young, college educated professionals who use the R5 train to commute into the city or drive to the KOP business office campuses. Fourth group is older retirees, common example here is living in an upscale condo because they are empty nesters (kids grew up and moved out, and they downsized their living arrangements).

It took me a while to get to this point of view, I would definitely not want to raise my children here. There are a few reasons I’ve developed this opinion, and they revolve around materialism, entitlement and ‘status competition’ that would be impossible to avoid if you were to raise a kid here, or you were a kid here growing up here. These things are not over-the-top and in-your-face, but they are present in everyday life enough to make me say this. I’d cite as an example a stay-at-home mom, who, while driving to her mid day Yoga/Philates classes in her range rover, wonders why her family is barely getting by on the $450k annual salary her hubby beings home from the partnership at his law firm.

[suebeeheubee]

Yikes, that last sentence made me want to laugh, and then cry. Thanks for your honest perspective - I know the entitlement you're describing and it makes me want to run fast in the opposite direction. Any others have experiences with Ardmore?

I also appreciate the posts and info on Mt. Airy (west and east) - aside from some questions about the schools (which are big questions), it sounds pretty ideal. What is the crime like in the Mt. Airy/Chestnut Hill area? Do kids ride their bikes to their friends houses, etc? It's such an interesting blend of city and outskirts, I'm wondering what the safety feeling is.

Also - anyone have insights into Media - the good, the bad, and the ugly? Thanks again!

[niceguy19125]

Originally Posted by suebeeheubee

I also appreciate the posts and info on Mt. Airy (west and east) - aside from some questions about the schools (which are big questions), it sounds pretty ideal. What is the crime like in the Mt. Airy/Chestnut Hill area? Do kids ride their bikes to their friends houses, etc? It's such an interesting blend of city and outskirts, I'm wondering what the safety feeling is.
Thanks again!

The residential sections of Chestnut Hill and most of West Mt Airy definitely has a suburban feel where you would feel comfortable allowing kids to ride their bikes to a friends house. Of course the commercial district and busier streets for traffic reasons might be treacherous from a traffic perspective. You can cross reference crime reports with actual addresses using the following website. A random sampling of residential areas versus main thoroughfares shows a small sprinkling of petty crimes and a few day-time burglary break ins of probably non-monitored (burglar alarm) residences.
EveryBlock Philadelphia: Philadelphia local news and public records


This is a great photo link of some representations of Chestnut Hill's neighborhoods:
PHILADELPHIA: The Chestnut Hill Tour: Part One - SkyscraperPage Forum

Here are some of West Mount Airy:Google Image Result for http://farm1.static.flickr.com/47/139446248_c861f8566e.jpg?v=0

[Synergy1]

I lived in Media for some time and worked in the areas you want to know a comparison to the rest. I would not consider living in Mt Airy or any part of the City of Philly. However, Philly nightlife cannot be beat.

Ardmore is OK and Suburban Square has changed to almost nill....My cousin lives in Jenkintown and it too is not as pleasant as it once was many years ago.

As I rode the train from Bryn Mawr to CC I often noticed the stops in between and didn't like what they have become or known as a so-so community. Villanova is expensive and parts are kinda known as a mansion community...

Media is an older town with new homes and they are large nice homes. Our home was in the $700,000 range and we purchased it for $125,000 just 22 years ago. Nowadays a new home within the Media zip code 19063,064,83 can be purchased for probably $350,000.

[suebeeheubee]

Thanks so much for the links and info, niceguy19125!

Synergy1 (or anyone else) - can you tell me more about Media? I have looked online at housing and does seem to have decent deals and some nice older and newer homes. What is the general feel of the town? Typical residents? (if there is such a thing) Do most people have to get in their car to go anywhere? Is there a decent amount to do (in terms of restaurants, any cultural events, etc.? Thanks again!

[thesixth]

Media is pretty conservative compared to the other areas you mentioned. It will not be as diverse either racially or economically. It is a very family oriented small town, with a nice walkable "downtown" - (similar to Ardmore- not as big). It is the seat of the county government, so the courthouse is there and lots of law offices along with small shops, restaurants, drugstores and grocers.
Nightlife exists there but is not "big city nightlife" like Philly offers. Very suburban feel like Ardmore.

[G Goo]

Originally Posted by Synergy1

I would not consider living in Mt Airy or any part of the City of Philly.

Care to elaborate as to why?

[Boompa]

Ardmore is certainly walkable (i.e. Suburban Square and the Pike), and the Lower Merion School District is about as good as Public Schools get. Being able to take the train in to 34th St. is an advantage too.
There are plenty of Private Schools too. As for safe I'd have to go with Ardmore.

[niceguy19125]

Originally Posted by G Goo

Care to elaborate as to why?

I can render a guess, rhymes with bassist.