First time home buyers looking for a safe neighborhood near Northeast Philly suburbs (Bristol: renting, best schools) - Philadelphia - Pennsylvania (PA) - City-Data Forum

newneel · 01-30-2011, 11:39 AM

Hello,
First of all, Thanks a lot everybody for their insight.

My wife and I are working professionals currently renting in Northeast philly. We are now planning to buy a house either near Yardley, PA or adjacent PA suberbs. Due to my licensing profession, I can only work in PA state and my wife works in Mt. Laurel, NJ. That's the reason, we can't look too much east of NJ and too much West of Philly. Being a consultant, she may have to switch around client locations which are mainly located in Philly, North/Central Jersey or NYC. so, she may need to commute to NYC/North Jersey in the worst case.

We will have be having kids in near future so, our first priority is safe neighborhood with great school system. Princeton is too expensive. Our budget is $400,000 for a townhouse or starter single family.

1. Yardley look nice but, too many old houses.
2. Newton has best schools but, it will be tough to commute to North jersey (if at all required).
3. We really liked Cherry Hill but, then she can't commute to North Jersey if required.

We would really appreciate your help. Thanks.

bryson662001 · 01-30-2011, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newneel

I can only work in PA state and my wife works in Mt. Laurel, NJ. We will have be having kids in near future so, our first priority is safe neighborhood with great school system. Princeton is too expensive. Our budget is $400,000 for a townhouse or starter single family.

You don't say where in PA you work.....or do you work from home?

Quote:

Originally Posted by newneel

1. Yardley look nice but, too many old houses.
2. Newton has best schools but, it will be tough to commute to North jersey (if at all required).
3. We really liked Cherry Hill but, then she can't commute to North Jersey if required.

Newtown is about as close to N Jersey as you can get and still be in Philly's PA suburbs. Cherry Hill isn't too much further but if you work from home are you allowed to live there? You might want to look in eastern Langhorn (Middletown Township) to be close to the Burlington Bristol Bridge off Rt 413 which is a direct rt through Westhampton N.J. to Mt Holly. If you can live in NJ maybe look at Westhampton.

newneel · 01-30-2011, 03:42 PM

Hi,
I live in Bensalem area. I think Middletown and Westampton schools are not great right ?

Newton looks good.

bryson662001 · 01-31-2011, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newneel

Hi,
I live in Bensalem area. I think Middletown and Westampton schools are not great right ?

Newton looks good.

Middletown is Neshaminy..... very highly rated and I think Westhampton NJ is way more than adaquit.

yorickshead · 01-31-2011, 03:26 PM

Take a look at the developments in Middletown across from Styer's orchard. I had a home there a few years ago and really liked the area. Not sure if its changed much, but it meets some of the requirements you're looking for (schools....proximity to 95)

frankgn87 · 01-31-2011, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorickshead

Take a look at the developments in Middletown across from Styer's orchard. I had a home there a few years ago and really liked the area. Not sure if its changed much, but it meets some of the requirements you're looking for (schools....proximity to 95)

great area but pretty far for his wife to travel to MT. Laurel... Id recommend a river town closer to Jersey.. Except that there aren't any in pa.. Why not Moorestown NJ? GREAT schools, close to Philly and round the corner for your wife

yorickshead · 01-31-2011, 05:22 PM

Crossing the river to NJ jacks up your property taxes about a thousand percent. I figured Middletown because you can be on 95 S headed toward the Burlington Bristol Bridge in about 5 minutes. Gotta think the drive to Mt. Laurel takes less than an hour.

ooodsie · 01-31-2011, 06:11 PM

There are a lot of very nice and very NEW townhomes in Yardley (pennsbury schools) and Newtown (council rock schools), which would give you some great schools and also the newness that you are looking for.. as well as super close proximity to I-95 for your NJ access. I think those would be ideal locations for you. Also look into Langhorne which is Neshaminy schools.

frankgn87 · 02-01-2011, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorickshead

Crossing the river to NJ jacks up your property taxes about a thousand percent. I figured Middletown because you can be on 95 S headed toward the Burlington Bristol Bridge in about 5 minutes. Gotta think the drive to Mt. Laurel takes less than an hour.

Not true. It will be higher in Jersey but the schools are much better and the trip to work goes from 1 hour to 15 minutes.. Bucks county is almost as high as Jersey.. Do your homework.. A $300k home in Jersey is comparable to a $300k home in Bucks tax wise. (within 10%)

Padugan · 02-01-2011, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankgn87

Not true. It will be higher in Jersey but the schools are much better and the trip to work goes from 1 hour to 15 minutes.. Bucks county is almost as high as Jersey.. Do your homework.. A $300k home in Jersey is comparable to a $300k home in Bucks tax wise. (within 10%)

where? We have been looking in the richboro and surrounding areas and parts of NJ and $300k house in PA can be had for around 5k in taxes were in Jersey all we were finding was 8k+ for a $300k house.