Center City Condo or Suburbs?? (Philadelphia, York: rental, HOA, condos)

[ElijahAstin]

You seem to be jumping around a bit here. Unless you're literally down to choosing between two properties in Center City and Elkins Park, I would recommend filling out the requisite form so we can better help you out.

[frankgn87]

we need more info about you. Like how much you want to spend, age, how you travel(car or not?) are you married/single, do you prefer quiet or city bustle?, do you have kids or are you gong to in the near future? etc..

[Aimewitue]

When are you moving?
Spring Of 2012


Why are you moving?
Renting for about 2 years since moving to Philadelphia two years ago ready to buy. Rented in the suburb of Choshohocken and we are currently renting in center city.


Where will you be working?
Wife works in university city.I work in Center City.



If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend?

We are looking for a House we don't plan to spent more than 350,000


If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend?

Loft, Townhouse.


Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up?
Hi-rise

Are you married or single? Do you have children?

Married we have 2 dogs No kids

Do you prefer public or private schools?

No Kids but a good school district is cool for resale value.

Do you have pets?
Yeah 1 small Yorkie.

Do you want or need a yard?
A yard would be nice

Are you keeping a car?
Yes 1 car.

Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet?
I prefer quiet, wife prefers hustle and bustle.

What do you want to be closest to?
Work
Shopping
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.)
Nightlife
Train or subway stations

Hmm Work 1st Shopping 2nd Supermarket 3rd train 4th nightlife 5th

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood?

I would prefer a younger married professional crowd like us between 25-45 with kids is okay!! but it we don't find that it okay!!

Coke or Pepsi? Coke

We like the Jenkintown/Elkins park/Wyncote areas but we also like center city. We like Center city East Washington square area. We also looked at the graduate hospital area.

Just wondering if anyone else was faced with the same decision and what was the deciding factor?

[RightonWalnut]

Are you looking to buy a house or buy a condo? Or rent an apartment/condo?

[Aimewitue]

Originally Posted by Summersm343

Are you looking to buy a house or buy a condo? Or rent an apartment/condo?

Buy a house in suburbs or buy a condo in the city. already renting in the city. Just weighting the pros and cons of the decision and wondering has anyone else had to the same thing..

[FindingZen]

If you can find a condo in your preferred neighborhood - Washington Square West - at your preferred budget - 350K - then go for it. You can stretch your legs in Washington Square Park let alone Rittenhouse Square. Of course, I may be showing my positive bias towards downtown living.

[Jeanie Beanie]

Look, your number one priority was close to work; Elkins Park ain't gonna cut it.

You've been living in Center City for two years and are fine with it, so I second the opinion to get a condo in Washington Square West. You know the territory. Suggestion: scout out open houses in the area and visit some. See if you could picture yourselves there for the long term (5+ years). Meet some realtors at said open houses and talk to neighbors. Don't rush it. Window shop a bit.

[Aimewitue]

Let me give example

Here a nice condo in washington square for 325k
1027 Arch Street #807, Philadelphia PA | MLS# 6002087 - Trulia


Then here is a brand new construction townhomes in wyncote,pa

Wyngate Town Homes

Both taxes might be the same. Hoa fees might be much higher with condos.

which would you choose and why?

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by Aimewitue

Let me give example

Here a nice condo in washington square for 325k
1027 Arch Street #807, Philadelphia PA | MLS# 6002087 - Trulia


Then here is a brand new construction townhomes in wyncote,pa

Wyngate Town Homes

Both taxes might be the same. Hoa fees might be much higher with condos.

which would you choose and why?

Actually, that condo address is essentially Chinatown.

Certainly nothing wrong with the Wyncote townhouse although I still hold my personal bias in favor of the city. However, the patch of land for you and your Yorkie to putter around in won't be as convenient.

Regarding retaining value, my unprofessional opinion is that both properties would appreciate: the Arch Street condo because it is part of a constantly improving Center City; the Wyncote townhome because it is rare new inner-ring construction.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by Jeanie Beanie

Look, your number one priority was close to work; Elkins Park ain't gonna cut it.

Elkins Park is 1/2 hour away from Center City, which is hardly unmanageable.