Moving to Philly from Dallas (Philadelphia, Chester: crime rate, home, to buy) - Pennsylvania (PA) - City-Data Forum

smitha_venkat · 10-11-2007, 07:05 AM

Hi,

We are planning on moving to Philly from Dallas, Tx. My husband's job is going to be in Newtown Square. We have 2 kids - 4 and 2. Can someone suggest me some good places which has considerable Asian-Indian population? Also, I would like to have a good school district. We are looking to move by this year end.

Thanks and regards
Smitha

DecisionTime · 10-11-2007, 07:10 AM

Newtown Square is a very nice area - good schools, nice housing options etc. Although the population is mostly white, there are some Asian and Indian families. The commute for you husband would be terrific.

BPP1999 · 10-11-2007, 02:04 PM

Upper Merion has a decent-sized Asian-Indian population from what I know (it also has at least 3 Indian restaurants that I know of). It's maybe a half hour from Newtown Square, if that. You would take 202 south to 252 south.

Even if the community you move to is largely white, I don't think you'll be looked at funny or feel completely left out. There's more than enough Asian-Indians for you to not feel alone.

smitha_venkat · 10-11-2007, 08:11 PM

Hi,

Thanks for your replies.

I have been hearing about West Chester area. Can someone please tell me if that area is good. How is the crime rate there? Also, can you tell about the school district, are there good montessori schools? How is the winter, since we are moving from Dallas, which has no winter at all, we are a lil scared about the winter in PA.

Thanks

BPP1999 · 10-11-2007, 08:30 PM

West Chester is a very nice area. Schools are great (Owen J. Roberts is one district, Downington is another, in that area). The town of West Chester is very charming and authentic, but it is a college town with a young crowd. Crime is largely negligible in the West Chester area. The Philadelphia region is home to and known for a significant number of private schools. Some are private and expensive, some are run by the Catholic diocese. There are montessori schools around but I don't have more info than that. Winters can definately be cold but they're not brutal. For some strange reason we seem to be getting less and less snow, although this is only for the last 4 or 5 winters, so we've probably just been lucky.

smitha_venkat · 10-13-2007, 07:41 AM

Hi,

Can someone advice me as to what all we need to buy for preparing ourselves for snow in Philly? Since we are moving from Dallas TX, any input would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

rainrock · 10-13-2007, 09:14 AM

We really dont get that much snow as we are pretty close to the coast which brings in alot of warm air during winter storms. Maybe 5 snow events per year.On average West Chester gets about 30"-35" of snow.

An SUV would be an excellent asset if you plan on doing alot of driving during winter months. The basics include winter jackets/parkas, snow shovels,campbells soup mmm mmm good,salt pellets for ice storms,keep plenty of window washing fluid in your car, make sure you have a healthy car battery and thats about it. We can get some pretty uncomfortbale cold snaps in jan-feb where the temp wont get above 30 degrees for a couple weeks but (global warming?) has the winters getting warmer and warmer up here. Its been in the 80's for most of Sept/October which is unheard of in Pa.

newmarlig · 10-13-2007, 10:51 AM

Be prepared for the ridiculous coverage given to snow warnings (that invariably turn out to be incorrect) or minor snow events, by our local media. All tv stops so we can watch various idiots standing outside with a ruler measuring two inches of snow where they are standing.

Sunandsand · 10-13-2007, 06:58 PM

We lived in West Chester for 2 years. It would be an excellent choice. We noticed a lot of diversity. Many Asian-Indian families in the local parks, especially West Goshen Park.

Snow was not bad. We had 2 solid snows (6-9 inches) and maybe a few more light snows each of the two winters we were there.

Be sure to wear your Cowboys stuff, the locals will have lots of fun ribbing you!

WVUPharm2007 · 10-14-2007, 01:25 PM

There seems to be a lot of Asian migration towards the North Wales/Lansdale/Montgomeryville area. Every time I go back for the Holidays, there are 5 new Asian families in my father-in-law's development....I think they are mostly Korean. It might be because of that huge Asian indoor market/grocery store thing they opened up off of 309...what's it's name? I want to say Assi? Either way, I love going in there. It's like walking into a different country. Any place that has a store inside of it named "Bidet World" has to be interesting.