Californians Need Philly Suburb (Philadelphia, York: low crime, neighborhood, good schools)
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You may want to look into Media. It is about a 30 minute drive to KOP during rush hour, 15 minutes to the airport, and 30+ minutes to Philadelphia. There is a Trader Joe's and Selene Co-Op (organic/natural foods) in town. In your price range you will be limited to a twin which will probably need some work. The town is peaceful and definitely Democratic, but I would not consider it to be very liberal. If you are in your 20's or early 30's you will probably be bored with the nightlife. However, Philadelphia is close enough and you can hop on Septa (regional rail, R3) if you don't feel like driving. Good Luck.
I'll agree with the prior statements than "conservative in the northeast means something a little different than most of the rest of the country", and "In the suburbs around here the politics of daily life change subtly from town to town." The second statement is spot on.
The OP mentiones Whole Foods markets neighborhoods. I write a post a few months ago more or less describing the areas and demographics around all the WF markets in the Philly area. It's here. To add to add to that, a really big, new WF market in Plymouth Meeting is listed as newly opening next week, 1/12/10. Conshohocken would be a nice town nearby that new market with a sort of hip vibe. And it's as close to KOP as Phoenixville is.
West Chester came to mind also, but it will be a longer commute to KOP. The Art Museum area, (officially the Fairmont neighborhood) is probable the best mix of artsy, liberal and hip.
I'm from California and moved here about 7 months ago. I could be wrong but so far my observation has been that the nicer neighborhoods tend to be more conservative (very similar to Orange County in Southern California). However, finding organic food, farmers markets, and super markets like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods isn't strictly a liberal thing like it is in California. In fact unlike California here in Pennsylvania environmentalism and healthy food choices isn't exclusive to "progressive" neighborhoods.
That middle to upper-middle class, liberal, techie and laid back communities are rare and much harder find around here like Santa Cruz. So my advice would be figure out what is more important to you either the liberal neighbors in the city or the peaceful suburb with the local farmers market, trader joe's and whole foods with mostly conservative neighborhood.
Their are neighborhoods where you can find a balance but it's not the same as NoCal suburbs. Neighborhoods like Conshohocken and Media come to mind as your best bets. Both of these neighborhoods by the way have regional rail lines that go straight into Center City. So this is great for going to dinner, drinks or whatever in the weekends. Center City itself reminds me a lot of San Francisco but a little grittier and without all that techie money.
Oh.. one other thing as far as tolerance here vs Cali while I find that the ratio of tolerant to intolerant people is about the same. I also find that people are far more open about their intolerance around here. Meaning if their is a good-ole boy who "creeps" out about a gay man near him he will flat out say it. Unlike California where in the same situation you would get a passive aggressive response. People around here are far less concern about being PC which sometimes good and sometimes bad.
I'm from California and moved here about 7 months ago. I could be wrong but so far my observation has been that the nicer neighborhoods tend to be more conservative (very similar to Orange County in Southern California). However, finding organic food, farmers markets, and super markets like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods isn't strictly a liberal thing like it is in California. In fact unlike California here in Pennsylvania environmentalism and healthy food choices isn't exclusive to "progressive" neighborhoods.
Interesting observations.
Trader Joe's sets up shop based on where the Whole Foods is. Whole Foods sets up shop based on where the highest concentrations of college educated live.
When I think of the Whole Foods and TJ's around here I don't think of "conservative" places. I mean, you're not going to find many socially conservative people living anywhere in Center City but especially not along South St. Even the stores in the suburbs - Marlton, Wynnewood, Plymouth Meeting, North Wales, Jenkintown, Princeton, Wilmington, etc - I don't think of those places as being conservative.
I guess these are all upper-income neighborhoods/towns and can be a bit stuffy and/or boring in a suburban sort of way but I don't think that necessarily says anything about their politics.
Trader Joe's sets up shop based on where the Whole Foods is. Whole Foods sets up shop based on where the highest concentrations of college educated live.
When I think of the Whole Foods and TJ's around here I don't think of "conservative" places. I mean, you're not going to find many socially conservative people living anywhere in Center City but especially not along South St. Even the stores in the suburbs - Marlton, Wynnewood, Plymouth Meeting, North Wales, Jenkintown, Princeton, Wilmington, etc - I don't think of those places as being conservative.
I guess these are all upper-income neighborhoods/towns and can be a bit stuffy and/or boring in a suburban sort of way but I don't think that necessarily says anything about their politics.
Agreed. Affluent suburbs like the ones you've mentioned tend to be family-oriented/traditional, but I think it's simplistic to extend that to being "conservative." On the contrary, it's say affluent areas tend to be the most liberal socially. Fiscal conservatism, on other hand, is another issue entirely. Above all, however, I think it's important to note how East Coast politics are vastly different than those of the West Coast.
I'm from California and moved here about 7 months ago. I could be wrong but so far my observation has been that the nicer neighborhoods tend to be more conservative (very similar to Orange County in Southern California). However, finding organic food, farmers markets, and super markets like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods isn't strictly a liberal thing like it is in California. In fact unlike California here in Pennsylvania environmentalism and healthy food choices isn't exclusive to "progressive" neighborhoods.
yeah, to some extent, farmer's markets never left here. there have been big farmer's markets in strafford, ardmore, reading terminal, chestnut hill, and places like produce junction for as long as I can remember. I know people who shop at trader joe's that are neither young nor particularly liberal (though social conservative here isn't the caricature south carolina one). while it may be the case for the cc trader joe's, the one in "devon" has a different demographic. it's been frequently, and not altogether inaccurately, stated that PA is a "pocketbook" state. while there are certainly raging liberals and conservatives, the most important thing is jobs and take home pay. most people in the suburbs are fiscally conservative except the wealthiest areas. the people who don't have money and are incredibly liberal mostly live in the city, which is only right, since they can help fund the vast and ineffectual welfare system there. it's been a long time since one party has won the governor's seat twice in a row and that balance is important. if you don't have balance you end up like CA which by all counts should never have the problems they have today. the weather, natural beauty, sun to grow (with federal irrigation subsidies), etc go a long way. they seem to lack balance.
I think you were given great suggestions by the folk who replied. My 2 cents would that you look into Media, Delaware County. It is probably the seat of liberalism closest to KoP without the Swarthmore price tag. Homes in town are older twins and the area is quite gay friendly. On the more liberal side, you may have to opt for NJ and Collingswood /Westmont (where I live). The property taxes are higher but the vible you search is there. Your commute to KoP will be about 30 mins longer than a drive from Media.
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