Crunchy CA parents looking to relocate to PA (Philadelphia, Chester: apartment, for rent)

[zenifying]

We have been pondering relocating back to PA (or NJ or DE) to be closer to family and allow our child the opportunity to get to know her extended family, have a yard, and alleviate our financial stress here. We currently live in a small town outside of LA and while we love our community, we will never be able to own a home here and our rent is about to increase 35%. While we could manage that, we don't want to and are looking for a change.

I never had the sense of community growing up in the more distant Philly suburbs. We are ideally looking to have that small town feel and are looking for a more "crunchy" minded community. Does that exist anywhere around there? We are visiting in a few weeks and would love to have a bit more guidance on places to look.

Here's our data:

When are you moving? As soon as August
Where are you coming from? Los Angeles
Why are you moving? To be closer to family, lower cost of living allows for more disposable income and buying a lovely home.
Where will you be working? Not sure, currently both self-employed. One of us would likely seek a part-time job/contract work and start a private practice simultaneously.
Have you been here yet? I grew up there, but haven’t lived there since I was 18.

Will you buy or rent? Initially rent, but possibly for as little as 3 months so that we can figure out where to buy a home. Part of the wait may depend on stability of income so up to a year (otherwise we will purchase the house cash).
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend? House, 350-400K (less would be okay). For rent, I’d like to keep it at 2500K or below.
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend? Flexible, but would prefer to live in a house or townhouse. Something with a yard/outdoor access, private entry, and washer dryer.
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up? Walk up

Do you have a preference of living in a NJ or PA suburb? I think PA, although I’d be open to DE or NJ if cost and lifestyle are what we are looking for in the long haul.
(If you answered NJ - post your answers here: //www.city-data.com/forum/phila...-philadelphia/)

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married with a 3-year old child
Do you prefer public or private schools? Progressive private or public, probably in that order
Do you have pets? Yes, cats
Do you want or need a yard? Yes, that’d be amazing!
Are you keeping a car? We have 2.
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? Pretty much anything in Philly seems quiet and calm relative to where we live. We’d ideally like a small town, with a tight knit community, but close to the city.

What do you want to be closest to?
Work, probably this one. We have a very limited commute and would like to keep it limited. Likely need to be proximate to either Philly (maybe Wilmington) and/or a larger college and/or larger hospital.
Shopping
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.)
Nightlife
Train or subway stations

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? Yes, progressive minded individuals are important and some diversity as well.

Coke or Pepsi? Coke

[Avalon08]

If commute to work is the most important thing to you, it's kind of hard to recommend anything because you don't know where you'll be working. Anyway, just off the top of my head when you mentioned the crunchy granola thing, I thought of West Mount Airy (section of the city). I don't know what it's like now, but I remember going to a nursing mothers group there years ago and one lady was so crunchy, she didn't even wear deodorant (I know because I was right next to her). Beautiful old homes, diversity, convenient to all the amenities of the city.

[cpomp]

As far as suburbs, the Media area (19063) is generally on the liberal side. Swarthmore is probably one of the most liberal areas in the region (Swarthmore College is a well known liberal arts school is located there). West Chester is another, and the Main Line communities (Wayne, Radnor, Bryn Mawr, Ardmore, etc.), which unfortunately are out of your budget for the most part.


All areas I mentioned are not small towns, but they are all have great walkable downtowns with some eclectic shops and restuarants. The general area is very nice, lots of architectural diversity, recreation areas, parks, shopping, excellent schools, and decent commutes to either Philadelphia or Wilmington.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by Avalon08

If commute to work is the most important thing to you, it's kind of hard to recommend anything because you don't know where you'll be working. Anyway, just off the top of my head when you mentioned the crunchy granola thing, I thought of West Mount Airy (section of the city). I don't know what it's like now, but I remember going to a nursing mothers group there years ago and one lady was so crunchy, she didn't even wear deodorant (I know because I was right next to her). Beautiful old homes, diversity, convenient to all the amenities of the city.

W. Mt Airy is still pretty crunchy. There's a crunchy vibe in University City.

[FrankInPhilly]

Originally Posted by Avalon08

If commute to work is the most important thing to you, it's kind of hard to recommend anything because you don't know where you'll be working. Anyway, just off the top of my head when you mentioned the crunchy granola thing, I thought of West Mount Airy (section of the city). I don't know what it's like now, but I remember going to a nursing mothers group there years ago and one lady was so crunchy, she didn't even wear deodorant (I know because I was right next to her). Beautiful old homes, diversity, convenient to all the amenities of the city.

^^^ yes, this
Don't restrict your search to West Mt Airy - extend to East Mt Airy, maybe even parts of Germantown. High crunch factor throughout: food co-ops, politically left-leaning, butter-churning festivals (OK, that's an exaggeration), etc. etc. These areas have excellent access to Center City (two regional rail routes), are quickly accessible to Wissahickon Creek (about 2k acres of park), and have lots of locally owned businesses, mostly along Germantown Avenue. Lots to recommend, at prices that are in your purchase/rental budget.

[ElijahAstin]

Mt. Airy is my first recommendation based on the OP's budget and willingness to pay for progressive-minded private schools. Even Chestnut Hill is near-crunchy these days, and there are some homes in the OP's price range (though their dollar won't stretch as far).

[2e1m5a]

Yep-agree with others on Mount Airy, Germantown and even some aspects of Chestnut Hill today.

[Wisertime]

I also suggest W. Mt Airy. I'm living there now, but leaving at the end of the month to neighboring area. My landlord has a 3br 3ba rowhome available that's not listed yet. Feel free to PM me for info. rent would be in the ~1700 range on quiet street, steps from woods and a few blocks from the Coop.

[2e1m5a]

Originally Posted by Avalon08

If commute to work is the most important thing to you, it's kind of hard to recommend anything because you don't know where you'll be working. Anyway, just off the top of my head when you mentioned the crunchy granola thing, I thought of West Mount Airy (section of the city). I don't know what it's like now, but I remember going to a nursing mothers group there years ago and one lady was so crunchy, she didn't even wear deodorant (I know because I was right next to her). Beautiful old homes, diversity, convenient to all the amenities of the city.

LOL-my mom was involved in the Mt. Airy babysitting co-op when I was growing up in the late 80's/90s-she wears deodorant though

[Ms_Christina]

I vote for West Chester because I don't know where you will be working. I went to WCU there and I love that little town. Pleanty of nice public and private school options. It's just a short drive to the nearest train station to visit the city. Just a thought.