Looking for a house in the Philadelphia suburbs (Levittown, Harrisburg: real estate, apartment)

[aj85]

Hello!

I posted in the New Jersey suburbs of Philadelphia forum as well, but we're looking at all different options. We're living in Monmouth County, NJ right now but we want to move to a place where we can get a decent amount of land. We have three very large dogs and I'd love to have a yard for them to run around in. The taxes here are too much, and we're looking for a more affordable area where we can find a larger house. I filled out the survey below. Any advice would be super appreciated.

When are you moving? Within the next year and a half
Where are you coming from? Monmouth County, NJ
Why are you moving? We would like a bigger house with more property, which we can't really afford here in NJ
Where will you be working? My husband will be working at McGuire AFB, but he only goes in a few times a week so he would be willing to do a longer commute if it meant we could have a nice piece of property. I am looking for a teaching job.
Have you been here yet? I have been to Philadelphia many times, but I haven't spent lots of time in the surrounding suburbs.

Will you buy or rent? Buy
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend? A house, 3 or 4 bedrooms, at least 1.5 baths. We can probably spend up to 330,000, if the taxes are low enough.
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend? N/A
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up? N/A

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married, with one child (3 years old)
Do you prefer public or private schools? Public schools are probably the more realistic option for us.
Do you have pets? Yes. Three very large dogs (English Mastiffs) so a large private yard is one of our biggest requirements
Do you want or need a yard? Yes. See above
Are you keeping a car? Yes, my husband and I will both have cars
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? Calm and quiet, but within reasonable distance of activity.

What do you want to be closest to?
Work
Shopping
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.)
Nightlife
Train or subway stations As I said above, my husband doesn't care about being super close to the base because he doesn't work everyday. He said probably within fifty to sixty miles would be okay. He does a sixty mile commute now and he doesn't mind it. Supermarkets/drugstores would be nice, but I don't mind driving a little distance. I'd like some place close to a cute little downtown, but this is more of a want than a need. Nightlife isn't super important.

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? Doesn't matter either way, just needs to be someplace safe with good schools

Coke or Pepsi? Sprite, haha.

[BPP1999]

Home prices in Southeastern PA are generally more expensive (though real estate taxes are generally less) than in SJ unless you move further out from the city. If saving $ is your goal, check out places like Telford or Quakertown in Bucks County. A commute once a week from there wouldn't be too bad.

[RightonWalnut]

You may find a decent place in some areas of Lower Bucks County that would give you a decent commute to NJ... try Fairless Hills, Langhorne, Vermillion Hills in Levittown, Lower Makefield, Morrisville (stay away from the burrough)

These areas will put you in the Pennsbury School district which is a good school district. These areas will also give you a good size yard. There are several downtown areas close, Langhorne, Yardley, Newtown and the area around the Oxford Valley Mall. Lower Makefield might be a little pass your price range.

Hope this helped.

[shoe6571]

We moved to Perry County a decade ago from Chester County. It is only 20 minutes from Harrisburg. The taxes are 1/4 of what we paid, the schools are very small (graduating less than 100 students). We found 35 acres between Juniata and Susquehanna rivers. Little Buffalo Pool is an Olympic size pool and a very nice park that offers lots of free activities throughout the year. We have found a wonderful place to raise our four children. Hope your search finds you well.

[bryson662001]

I would be looking in mid to upper Bucks County because it has more land and is closest to Burlington Bristol Bridge. Lower Bucks is a better location but land is scarse in Lower Bucks, even in the Makefields.

[RightonWalnut]

Originally Posted by bryson662001

I would be looking in mid to upper Bucks County because it has more land and is closest to Burlington Bristol Bridge. Lower Bucks is a better location but land is scarse in Lower Bucks, even in the Makefields.

Is this a typo? Burlington Bristol Bridge connects Burlington in NJ and Bristol in PA. Bristol is in Lower Bucks.

Other than that I agree to look in the Mid Bucks County area.

[bryson662001]

Originally Posted by Summersm343

Is this a typo? Burlington Bristol Bridge connects Burlington in NJ and Bristol in PA. Bristol is in Lower Bucks.

Other than that I agree to look in the Mid Bucks County area.

Not a typo. Isn't that the best way to get to Mcguire AFB even from mid Bucks? You could take 95 to 413. Maybe through Trenton would be quicker? I would think traffic would be worse.

[RightonWalnut]

Originally Posted by bryson662001

Not a typo. Isn't that the best way to get to Mcguire AFB even from mid Bucks? You could take 95 to 413. Maybe through Trenton would be quicker? I would think traffic would be worse.

Nope you are correct that is probably the quickest way for traffic reasons, unless you go over to Trenton and take 29 to 295 (this may be heavily congested though during certain times of the day)... I thought you made a mistake and thought Bristol was in mid Bucks County.

[cjmmm]

This sounds like an exciting advanture for you and your family. Some areas off the top of my head are Collegeville, Phoenixville, Harleysville, Lansdale, West Chester etc. You have many options; some good school districts also.