Where to live for families? (suburbs) (Philadelphia, Horsham: apartment, renting, condo)

[JustLucky]

Hi, my family is looking for a suburb around Philadelphia, but we have no idea where to start. I filled out the Q&A. Any recommendations for neighborhoods would be AWESOME!

When are you moving? Near future
Where are you coming from? Florida
Why are you moving? Change of pace, tired of FL and heat
Where will you be working? Both my husband and I are employed in the medical field so we can pretty much find a job at any hospital
Have you been here yet? My husband has visited before but I've never been

Will you buy or rent? Buy
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend? House and we could spend up to 600,000
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend?
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up?

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married, with 2 children
Do you prefer public or private schools? Either are fine as long as they're good schools
Do you have pets? Dog
Do you want or need a yard? Yes, yard is a must for kids and dog
Are you keeping a car? Yes
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? Looking for a suburb so a mix

What do you want to be closest to? Work, Shopping, and basic services
Work
Shopping
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.)
Nightlife
Train or subway stations

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? No preference.

Extra info: We love neighborhoods with lots of trees and families who have that whole close-knit community feel. Like kids playing outside, neighborhood cookouts, etc.

[JHG722]

Wynnewood would work. Right near Lankenau Hospital.

[bicoastal10]

The following would probably be the best fit for your situation and price range:

-Wynnewood/Merion Station
-Rydal/Meadowbrook/Huntingdon Valley
-Blue Bell
-Jenkintown Manor
-Elkins Park
-Lafayette Hill
-Wyndmoor


Hopefully, this list helps. Good luck.

[ooodsie]

Look into Bucks County - specifically Langhorne Yardley Newtown Richboro. You have a few local hospitals to pick from (Aria, St Marys, Lower Bucks) and some great older neighborhoods.

[kyle19125]

I'd recommend the town of Haddonfield in South Jersey, just across the river. Great close knit neighborhoods, superior schools and easy access to any of the major medical centers (Thomas Jefferson U Hospital, Pennsylvania Hospital, Hahnemann U Hospital, UPenn Med Ctr) in Center City Philadelphia.


Haddonfield, New Jersey - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Haddonfieldnj.org - A website all about Haddonfield, New Jersey, featuring updates on Haddonfield events and happenings as well as important community information.
SchoolMatters

[hilster]

I am seeing that the older Philly suburbs are being recommended. How about checking out Exton and Downingtown? Sounds as if either will meet your family-oriented needs. Good schools, Little League and soccer are big, good shopping, abt 45 mins to an hour from Philly.

[andreaspercheron]

Originally Posted by JustLucky

Hi, my family is looking for a suburb around Philadelphia, but we have no idea where to start. I filled out the Q&A. Any recommendations for neighborhoods would be AWESOME!

When are you moving? Near future
Where are you coming from? Florida
Why are you moving? Change of pace, tired of FL and heat
Where will you be working? Both my husband and I are employed in the medical field so we can pretty much find a job at any hospital
Have you been here yet? My husband has visited before but I've never been

Will you buy or rent? Buy
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend? House and we could spend up to 600,000
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend?
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up?

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married, with 2 children
Do you prefer public or private schools? Either are fine as long as they're good schools
Do you have pets? Dog
Do you want or need a yard? Yes, yard is a must for kids and dog
Are you keeping a car? Yes
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? Looking for a suburb so a mix

What do you want to be closest to? Work, Shopping, and basic services
Work
Shopping
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.)
Nightlife
Train or subway stations

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? No preference.

Extra info: We love neighborhoods with lots of trees and families who have that whole close-knit community feel. Like kids playing outside, neighborhood cookouts, etc.

I live here so I'm a bit biased but, I love living in Horsham and it was rated one of the top 15 places to live two years running now. We have lots of parks for kids and for dogs! Lots of shopping, close to several medical facilities, schools are blue ribbon award - I'm also a FL transplant and even though I wasn't and still am not a huge fan of cold weather, living in a nice town certainly helps. i have a friend who jokingly calls Horsham "Pleasantville" because during the warm sesons, you literally hear the birds singing, kids laughing, people are out walking, running, playing sports, etc...
It's a good town. We are about 45 mins outside of Philly but close to several train stations.

I'd also suggest Doylestown, a very close-knit town, very trendy, lots of shops, dining, not sure about schools but it's Bucks county and I believe Doylestown school are good. There is shopping, arts, etc... and also close to Horsham so, close to those same medical facilities.

I know there are lots of good towns but I can only speak about what I know for sure LOL

Good luck!!

[dartmo]

I'd say Narberth. It has a small town feel and is 20 minutes by train (which you can walk to ) into center city. You should be fine at $600k. Older homes, but lots of charm. Otherwise, neighboring towns are great too, Merion Station, Wynnewood, Penn Valley. I'd recommend trying to be near the R5 train for easy access to the city.

[kelb]

I would second Horsham. You can get a great house in your price range in Talamore, a golf course development on Welsh Rd. I used to live there and it is idyllic.