Working at Philadelphia airport, where should we live? (Chester, New Castle: apartment, rental market)

[nicolemomof4]

My husband just got a job at the Philadelphia International Airport and we will be relocating. We currenly live in VA and have 4 children. I am looking for an area with good public schools that doesn't cost a whole lot of money. Any advice would be fantastic!

[rainrock]

Housing/Rent budget so we can help you better?

Are you Buying? Renting?

[nicolemomof4]

I'm trying to pay no more then $1200 a month and we would be renting to start out.

[bryson662001]

This may be helpful....

Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed

Zoom out until you can see the surrounding areas. Look above and to the left of the airport and start plugging these zips into Google and www.realtor.com (with the rent option under "type of home".) You can go all the way to Delaware if you want. Stay away from anything directly on the river as that tends to be industrial. The further away from the river you go the more upscale it will tend to be. If you find somthing that looks good you can ask about it here.

[nicolemomof4]

Thank you so much! I will certainly look at this!

[rainrock]

Good luck to you but This is a tough one.

You would have much better choices if you were in the market to buy a house, you may be shocked at how little $1200 goes in the family rental market here.

Usually that will get you a 2Br, 1Ba, 60 year, 1,000 sq ft bungalow or a row home in a not too great town.

For a 3 Br or 4 BR house in a nice home you are probably looking at least $1600 +


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Delaware County(PA),Chester County(PA) Gloucester County(NJ) New Castle County (DE) would be your best bets imo.

[nicolemomof4]

That's what I've been noticing when looking on different websites. I was pretty shocked at the prices up there. We are living in a nice neighborhood in Virginia Beach for $1200. It's not a huge house, but it's a really nice area. I was expecting a little cheaper up there.

[rainrock]

Originally Posted by nicolemomof4

That's what I've been noticing when looking on different websites. I was pretty shocked at the prices up there. We are living in a nice neighborhood in Virginia Beach for $1200. It's not a huge house, but it's a really nice area. I was expecting a little cheaper up there.

If you dont mind a commute you would have much better options the further out you go from the city/airport. The further out into the exurbs you go the more house you will get for your money. You are looking at a 1 hr + commute though each way. Thinking places like Downingtown(PA),Kennett Square(PA),Oxford(PA)Swedesboro(NJ). Anything decent for $1200 close to the city is going to be a 1BR apartment.

Good luck

[e084589]

our daughter lives in Middletown DE and our son-in-law works at Philly Airport... because it's all expressway the commute isn't too bad. But homes are very affordable and schools are great. One of the fast growing areas in Delaware.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by rainrock

Good luck to you but This is a tough one.

You would have much better choices if you were in the market to buy a house, you may be shocked at how little $1200 goes in the family rental market here.

Usually that will get you a 2Br, 1Ba, 60 year, 1,000 sq ft bungalow or a row home in a not too great town.

For a 3 Br or 4 BR house in a nice home you are probably looking at least $1600 +


...


Delaware County(PA),Chester County(PA) Gloucester County(NJ) New Castle County (DE) would be your best bets imo.

Yeah unless you want to cram your family into a 2-bedroom apartment, something's gonna have to give. All things considered, Upper Darby's probably your best choice. The schools aren't that great, but they're a lot better than anywhere else convenient you could get a single-family home in that price range.