Moving to Philadelphia (NJ Suburb) (Collingswood, Haddonfield: apartments, to rent, homes)

[mrreddy]

I might have to move to Temple University this coming Fall 2017. I will be moving there along with my wife and a 5-year-old. I was looking at different options and figured out that living in NJ suburbs of Philly is much more optimal.

I was hoping you all can help me out with few things that are very clear.

1. Is Kindergarten compulsory in NJ?

2. Do any ISDs offer free full-day kindergarten?

3. What would be the best areas for young families like us?

4. Expected housing costs?

5. Anything else that I need to worry about.

I appreciate your suggestions.

Thanks
R

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by mrreddy

I might have to move to Temple University this coming Fall 2017. I will be moving there along with my wife and a 5-year-old. I was looking at different options and figured out that living in NJ suburbs of Philly is much more optimal.

I was hoping you all can help me out with few things that are very clear.

1. Is Kindergarten compulsory in NJ?

2. Do any ISDs offer free full-day kindergarten?

3. What would be the best areas for young families like us?

4. Expected housing costs?

5. Anything else that I need to worry about.

I appreciate your suggestions.

Thanks
R

Would you be going to Temple as a student or faculty?

[mrreddy]

I will be going to temple as a graduate student.

[NatasNJ]

3. I would start by suggesting Collingswood/Westmont/Haddonfield area. You can be located near the train into the city and be in a safe nice area.

[mrreddy]

Originally Posted by natasnj

3. I would start by suggesting collingswood/westmont/haddonfield area. You can be located near the train into the city and be in a safe nice area.

thanks

[withasigh]

Kindergarten isn't compulsory. Full v. half-day varies by district. I know Collingswood has full day, but Haddonfield and Haddon Township have half-day programs (although both have some childcare option to pair with the half-day school program so you can get close to a full day of care). But there are plenty of other towns where you may want to live and options vary quite a bit.

I'd also recommend the PATCO towns (Collingswood, Haddon Township, or Haddonfield). Lots of young families, good schools, proximity to public transit, etc. I'm in Haddon Township and it feels like our street has another young family move in every couple of months. I would bet it is similar in Collingswood. Haddonfield skews a bit older because of the cost of living there.

Housing costs vary depending on whether you intend to rent or buy. I'd say for a family of three renting in towns like Collingswood or better, you'd need at least $1300/month. Premium type apartments (newer construction in a large complex) would run $2000/mo for a 2 bedroom unit. Purchase price varies a lot depending on the town. Average "starter" homes in Collingswood and Haddon Township run around $230k-ish and up, plus at least $6k/yr in taxes.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by mrreddy

I will be going to temple as a graduate student.

Have you checked to see if living in South Jersey will have an effect on your tuition?

[mrreddy]

Originally Posted by southbound_295

Have you checked to see if living in South Jersey will have an effect on your tuition?

That's a good point. I would need to check that.

[mrreddy]

Originally Posted by withasigh

Kindergarten isn't compulsory. Full v. half-day varies by district. I know Collingswood has full day, but Haddonfield and Haddon Township have half-day programs (although both have some childcare option to pair with the half-day school program so you can get close to a full day of care). But there are plenty of other towns where you may want to live and options vary quite a bit.

I'd also recommend the PATCO towns (Collingswood, Haddon Township, or Haddonfield). Lots of young families, good schools, proximity to public transit, etc. I'm in Haddon Township and it feels like our street has another young family move in every couple of months. I would bet it is similar in Collingswood. Haddonfield skews a bit older because of the cost of living there.

Housing costs vary depending on whether you intend to rent or buy. I'd say for a family of three renting in towns like Collingswood or better, you'd need at least $1300/month. Premium type apartments (newer construction in a large complex) would run $2000/mo for a 2 bedroom unit. Purchase price varies a lot depending on the town. Average "starter" homes in Collingswood and Haddon Township run around $230k-ish and up, plus at least $6k/yr in taxes.

Thanks a lot for the information. Being a student, I am trying to avoid the extra childcare cost. Hence, I would prefer areas with full-day kindergarten.

Collingswood's a good option for me.

Sorry to bug you, but, is there a way to find the list of school districts with full-day kindergarten?

I believe cherry hill, voorshe are half-day as well.

[Gerania]

Full day isn't always very full. Different area, but my son's full day kindergarten was 5 hours--9:30 to 2:30.