newer homes - diverse area (Philadelphia, Washington: apartment, to rent, buying a house)

[3littleblessings]

Hi,
I posted once before asking for suggestions for our family, and got some great ideas for communities. My husband will be working in Ft. Washington and we are looking to rent or buy within a 20 minute drive or so. We are a bi-racial family and would prefer a more diverse area. We looked at the area north along 309 (Ambler, North Wales, Upper Dublin) but the houses are all older. Any other options for newer homes? Excellent public schools with great special ed programs a necessity. Thanks for your help.

[Angus215]

To find new construction, as a rule of thumb you have to either keep going north or keep going west into exurban areas like Doylestown and Downingtwon.

In the area you're talking about, there are some newer homes in the northern part of Horsham Twp and the southern part of Montgomery Twp. Guess it depends on your definition of "new", but those areas will have some neighborhoods built in the last 10-15 years, as well as a few that are brand new. for example, in Horsham Twp b/w Keith Valley Rd, Lower State, Welsh Rd and County Line Rd. Or in Montgomery Twp b/w Lower State Rd, Horsham Rd, County Line Rd, and Doylestown Rd. Newer construction tends to be either McMansions or townhouses, because that's all that was being built during the housing boom. Horsham Twp in general is not diverse. Montgomery Twp has a significant asian population.

Personally, i'd rather have a reasonable commute and not be in an area that is sparkling new development, but everyone comes out differently. That's why the suburbs continue to creep outward. If you're willing to trade longer commute for newer home, you could look toward Skippack to the Northwest or Warrington to the Northeast - these areas are being built out now. For example, Toll Brothers is building a new community in Warrington at Folley Rd just north of County Line Rd. But realistically, those areas are not going to be a 20 minute drive to Ft Washington.

When i moved to the area, i was looking in the same general area as you, and sounds like a similar house as you. Problem was, i didn't want or need a McMansion but i wanted a newer house . . . and i didn't want to be out in the sticks. As a compromise, I ended up buying a house that was about 20 yrs old (but built after the horrible 1960s and 1970s architectural era), and that had been fully updated so it looked new.

[3littleblessings]

Thanks. Growing up in the city, I've never lived in a house before. Or even in the suburbs, for that matter. It is all going to be new, and the thought of home maintenance on an older home is overwhelming. We'd prefer something in the under 20 year range, preferably updated with an open living area. And definitely not in the country - we want other people around.

[drive carephilly]

Agreed with Angus - in that area most homes are going to be 40-100+ years old and to find new construction that doesn't come at a ++premium you'll have to go further out. It's not especially diverse but being a mixed race family isn't going to turn any heads either.

How about Upper Merion (aka KOP)? Good schools, good diversity, close to Ft. Wash - just not much in the way of new construction.

Generally speaking, the more diverse parts of the metro are going to be in older towns and/or closer to the city.

[ElijahAstin]

Balancing all your concerns, I would recommend looking at Whitpain, Lower/Upper Gwynedd, and Montgomery. These areas, while not diverse like, say, Cheltenham or Upper Darby, are not lily-white either, and feature great schools, a decent amount of new construction, and fairly close proximity to Ft. Washington.

[Angus215]

Originally Posted by HeavenWood

Balancing all your concerns, I would recommend looking at Whitpain, Lower/Upper Gwynedd, and Montgomery. These areas, while not diverse like, say, Cheltenham or Upper Darby, are not lily-white either, and feature great schools, a decent amount of new construction, and fairly close proximity to Ft. Washington.

Those were my thoughts exactly. Maybe add Upper Dublin to the list as well (although houses tend to be built in the 60s). Proximity to 309 is key.

[3littleblessings]

What about townhomes? Does that change our options? We are looking for a 4br, but would consider a 3 br if it had space for a small guest area (in basement or loft).

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by 3littleblessings

What about townhomes? Does that change our options? We are looking for a 4br, but would consider a 3 br if it had space for a small guest area (in basement or loft).

You'd really rather live in a new townhouse than an older single-family home? Keep in mind much of Philadelphia's older housing stock has been impeccably-maintained over the years. Many older homes on the market are move-in ready.

[3littleblessings]

I guess it really depends on the community. We would love a walkable neighborhood, with neighbors fairly close by. It seems that townhome communities offer that. And, we're coming from a city life and an apartment, and an old, large suburban house with yardwork, snow removal, etc. seems overwhelming (especially because my husband travels).

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by 3littleblessings

I guess it really depends on the community. We would love a walkable neighborhood, with neighbors fairly close by. It seems that townhome communities offer that. And, we're coming from a city life and an apartment, and an old, large suburban house with yardwork, snow removal, etc. seems overwhelming (especially because my husband travels).

As opposed to a new, large suburban house with yardwork, snow removal, etc?

If you'd rather have a townhouse and/or not have to worry about routine maintenance, that's another issue entirely.