Moving Back to the Philly Area (Glenside, Hatboro: apartment, to rent, condo)

[andreateachesart]

Hi All...I've posted here before about moving back and was previously thinking about the Main Line but have changed my mind since then to be a bit closer to family and friends in MontCo.

We are thinking now of Jenkintown and the areas surrounding. But it's been so long since I've lived around there that I don't know what the schools are like anymore.
The list of places we are considering (in no specific order):
Jenkintown, Elkins Park, Glenside, Abington, Hatboro, Roslyn, Rockledge

Schools are super important to us because of our little ones. So we would like to live in an area that has safe schools and still has arts.

When are you moving? Unsure...Depends on when I find a j.o.b.
Where are you coming from? Los Angeles - but I am from Philly so I know what I am getting into with the seasonal change and lack of zoloft in the water system.
Why are you moving? To be closer to family and live somewhere we can afford to buy a home.
Where will you be working? Not sure yet. Looking around the suburbs of Philly to avoid the tax.
Have you been here yet? For 26 years - born and raised!

Will you buy or rent? rent at first then would like to buy
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend? We are looking to buy a house in the $200-300K range.
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend? We would want to rent, preferably a house at first for around $1500
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up? neither. big buildings scare me. maybe it's because I've been through a few quakes in them??

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married - 2 kids - 16 and 2 years
Do you prefer public or private schools? public
Do you have pets? yes -one cat
Do you want or need a yard? yes, would like to have a yard for our kids
Are you keeping a car?yes
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? calm and quiet but within a train ride to hustle and bustle.

What do you want to be closest to? work then shopping/basics - would like to live somewhere that has a little bit of a town or main street to take walks to
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? I like diversity but I know that the suburbs of Philly are definitely not as diverse as LA, so I'm willing to settle.

Coke or Pepsi? Um, neither...I like just plain old "wooder"

[rdugirl]

Lol...you've been around this block before, eh? Good Luck!

[andreateachesart]

thanks...any advice on schools?