Moving from DC suburb to Philadephia area (Philadelphia, Newtown: homes, safe area)

[r2dc]

Thanks very much. Do these areas have townhouses that better fit this budget?

[r2dc]

By the way, how long would the commute be to the NE part of the city from these places?

[a little edgy]

The most comparable Philadelphia suburbs to Bethesda are on the Main Line. The prices there are high, but lower than similar housing in Bethesda. However, it's a long trip from the Main Line (and even longer from Media or Wallingford) to NE Philly. The lower Bucks towns like Bensalem and Levittown are nothing at all like Bethesda; they are much less affluent and, not surprisingly, much cheaper. By reputation, the schools in these areas are nowhere near the quality you are used to in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Lower Moreland and Abington may be the closest to what you seek. However, the Philadelphia area generally is very different from the DC area - much more blue collar and much less wealthy. If you want to be in an area like Bethesda, then you're going to have a hard time duplicating it away from the Main Line.

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by r2dc

Oh perfect. We live in Bethesda, MD. We really like that environment but it is quite expensive. We currently live in a townhouse in Bethesda and would like to upgrade to a single family home if we move. We would prefer to spend around 400k.

Jenkintown/Abington might remind you of Bethesda albeit with much fewer high-rise buildings. Your chances of finding a home in your range would generallly be better west of Old York Road (Rt. 611) and north of Susquehanna Rd.

[r2dc]

Thanks a little edgy.

That's good to know. I am researching homes online. We may not be able to get a Bethesda-like atmosphere anyway because of the cost since we are trying to upgrade to a single family home. I will check out the places you mentioned. What about Horsham?

[pman]

Originally Posted by r2dc

Oh perfect. We live in Bethesda, MD. We really like that environment but it is quite expensive. We currently live in a townhouse in Bethesda and would like to upgrade to a single family home if we move. We would prefer to spend around 400k.

jenkintown

[Tone509]

Horsham may not be quite so diverse but otherwise it's fine. You'd be hard pressed to find any truly "bad" neighborhoods in what I call the "V" area just above Philly.

[MH Montrose]

Originally Posted by r2dc

We currently live in Bethesda, MD in a townhome, but are looking to upgrade to a single family home if this is affordable in the Philly area.
We are looking to spend around $400k and would like a safe neighborhood with good schools, some form of a yard, and a garage. We would like to keep the commuting time <30 minutes and it would be nice if grocery, other shopping, etc are accesssible within a 10-15 minute drive. We don't mind a slightly more urban feel if it is safe and if we could afford a home there.
Thanks for your help

I lived in Bethesda...loved it, but I do understand the costs etc. I do agree with a couple of the posts about the Main Line, particularly Lower Merion being similar, but the costs and drive to NE Philly Airport area would be painful.
That being said, I would focus my search on Elkins Park, Jenkintown, Abiginton, and possibly Lower Moreland. These places all have good/great schools, lovely older homes (like Bethesda), simple commutes and can vary in the their older/inner ring suburb and near urban feel. Lots of luck.

[Duderino]

Originally Posted by a little edgy

Lower Moreland and Abington may be the closest to what you seek. However, the Philadelphia area generally is very different from the DC area - much more blue collar and much less wealthy. If you want to be in an area like Bethesda, then you're going to have a hard time duplicating it away from the Main Line.

That's not entirely accurate.

I've lived in the DC area (including Bethesda) for a few years myself, and -- while you're absolutely right that there's more blue-collar industry here (even though that's highly concentrated in the city itself) -- the standard-of-living in both areas is very comparable, especially when you account for cost-of-living differences in housing. Thus, there are definitely other suburbs other than the Main Line where a "Bethesda lifestyle" is attainable without the "Bethesda price."

In terms of ones that are relatively accessible to NE Philadelphia, I'd also second Jenkintown, Abington and Elkins Park. I'd also add Wyncote, Bryn Athyn and Huntington Valley.

Good luck!

[lide]

Hey - Isn't the airport south not north?