Looking for a safe town in PA within 30 min. commute from Mullica Hill, NJ (Philadelphia: apartment, rent)

[fourunderthree]

Looking for a town to raise small children in and hopefull live for many years in. I have always dreamed about moving to PA. Small town, or farm country setting would be perfect. I have 4 kids under the age of 3 and we need to move. I hear taxes are better and people are nicer in PA. So, where is a good place to start looking? Husband commutes from Mullica Hill,NJ and do not want a commute longer than 30 minutes. Good schools, safe and friendly and afordable town would be great. We would love to find a home to raise our children in. Any ideas?
Thank you ahead of time for taking the time to read this and answer if you can.

[fourunderthree]

When are you moving?unknown
Where are you coming from?Commute from Mullica Hill, NJ
Why are you moving?Looking for good place to settle down & raise our family
Where will you be working?Mullica Hill, NJ
Have you been here yet?No

Will you buy or rent? Would rent a home if we can not find one to buy
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend? House and tight budget. Under 200,000.00
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend? Rent a house
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up?Walk up

Are you married or single? Do you have children?
Do you prefer public or private schools?public with good reputation
Do you have pets?
Do you want or need a yard?yes
Are you keeping a car?
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet?calm and quiet

What do you want to be closest to? Work and kids school
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? Diverse safe friendly small town neighborhood

Phillies, Pirates or Mets?

[toobusytoday]

Mullica Hill is going to be more rural then anything you are going to find by going within commuting distance into PA. Check out this aerial map of the area around Mullica Hill Bing Maps. Yes, taxes are lower in PA, but South Jersey in the area around Mullica Hill can be pretty darn rural and cheaper then over the river.

My parents live in South Jersey and whenever I drive over the Commodore Barry Bridge, I feel I can start relaxing when I get to the area around Mullica Hill. With the map above, just take route 322 over the bridge and into PA and see how long it takes you to get to an area that's as little populated as where you start out in NJ.

[fourunderthree]

Thank you for your reply. Yes Mullica Hill area is beautiful. We just cannot afford it. I thought I was told that you can get a home and some land for much less in PA. Over here in Jersey is very very expensive.

[toobusytoday]

Not unless you go about three hours west of Philadelphia.... For $200,000 you are going to find a townhouse or a very old house within an hour of Philadelphia. I'm going to move your thread to the Philly forum to see if anyone there has some suggestions.

[frankgn87]

there is no where like you wish for within 1/2 hour from where you are over in pa. Pa is just as expensive too. Same size home costing same with same taxes. Been there done that. $300k home in jersey same taxes(aprox) as in pa. Stay where you are and get a smaller home.. Schools are good there too

Originally Posted by fourunderthree

Thank you for your reply. Yes Mullica Hill area is beautiful. We just cannot afford it. I thought I was told that you can get a home and some land for much less in PA. Over here in Jersey is very very expensive.

[fourunderthree]

Thank you for the responses. This will be our first home and I was hoping to lay some roots down in PA. So, where can one find the closest place to move. Lets expand the commute to 1 hour. I know there has to be something. Anything...

[lititzman2003]

You may want to research Prospect Park, Norwood, Glenolden, Secane and the areas around Widener University (Chester).

[frankgn87]

Originally Posted by lititzman2003

You may want to research Prospect Park, Norwood, Glenolden, Secane and the areas around Widener University (Chester).

did you read the op's requirements? Rural farm setting in pa. Those are def not that

[kimrocktherealtor]

Honestly.. Youre really not going to find what youre looking for in PA. You're definitely going to find the rural farm life more in Mullica Hill than anywhere in PA within an hour of there... Unless youre okay with a townhouse in a subdivision and no land, which you don't sound like you are.