House hunt for good school district (Huntingdon, Avalon: real estate market, to rent, condos)

[phl_commuter]

Hi all,

I live in Bensalem, want to move to a place which has better school district and still easily commutable to Center City. I found similar threads here, very useful. We want to buy a house (<$350k).

We like Newtown, but the commute is long. Abington seems to have good schools and short commute, but the real estate market is hot there now. Bryn Mawr is expensive. Langhorne has longer commute. Am sure, I am missing lot of good places.

We like Wrightstown Farmers Market and Newtown PA Dutch Farmer's Market. And would like to be close to similar ones, but this is not a priority. School district and shorter commute to Suburban station are more important.

Son goes for swimming classes now.

Right now, I can walk to the station in 10 mins and the train ride is less than 30 mins to Suburban station. Would love to replicate it.

Looking for suggestions for hidden gems. Let me know if I need to provide more info.


When are you moving? July – Aug 2018.
Where are you coming from? Bensalem, PA
Why are you moving? Better school district
Where will you be working? Center City (Close to Suburban station)
Have you been here yet? Yes

Will you buy or rent? Buy
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend? House (Townhouse are good too) <$350

Do you have a preference of living in a NJ or PA suburb? PA

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married 1 8 yr old.
Do you prefer public or private schools? Public
Do you have pets? No
Do you want or need a yard? Yes
Are you keeping a car? Yes
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? Not sure.

What do you want to be closest to?
Work 3
Shopping 4
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.) 2
Nightlife 5
Train or subway stations 1

[Philly246]

Lower Moreland?

[phl_commuter]

Originally Posted by Philly246

Lower Moreland?

Thanks. That's HUNTINGDON VALLEY, right ? We are looking at that too. It seems pricier and is moving fast too.

Update:
Any info on Huntingdon Place Condos?

[phl_commuter]

Adding missed info:
Favorite Beverage - Craft Beer, wine, water? Water.

We are also open to renting short term (3-6 months) to learn more about the area and to let the market cool down.

[Avalon08]

Originally Posted by phl_commuter

Adding missed info:
Favorite Beverage - Craft Beer, wine, water? Water.

We are also open to renting short term (3-6 months) to learn more about the area and to let the market cool down.

I am old enough to remember when the choice was Coke or Pepsi.

[toobusytoday]

Originally Posted by Avalon08

I am old enough to remember when the choice was Coke or Pepsi.

LOL. I don't like coke or pepsi and I figured I'd offer some more options. So far, I think water is winning.

[Avalon08]

Originally Posted by toobusytoday

LOL. I don't like coke or pepsi and I figured I'd offer some more options. So far, I think water is winning.

LOL, always good to keep up with the current trends!

Just as a quick aside -- in 1998 I worked as an assistant to our CEO and had to set up lunch sometimes for his staff meetings. The other assistant and I ordered an assortment of say, Coke, ginger ale and Sprite....all sodas, obviously. When the execs (a lot of youngish athletic types) saw that, they were all complaining -- EW, SODA! It was when the bottled water phase was just starting...it hadn't even dawned on us to order bottled water. (But we did after that!)

[phl_commuter]

Are there townhouses in Abington and Lower Moreland school districts ? Looks like there only few of them.

Thanks.

[phl_commuter]

Anyone commute from Feasterville to Center city ? How is the commute with bus to Somerton station or Frankford center and taking train or subway to Downtown everyday ?

[NewtownBucks]

Originally Posted by phl_commuter

Anyone commute from Feasterville to Center city ? How is the commute with bus to Somerton station or Frankford center and taking train or subway to Downtown everyday ?

The train ride on the West Trenton line from Trevose or Somerton is maybe 35 mins and not a bad ride at all. Not sure about the bus end of it, but if you live in Feasterville, it can't be too far on the bus.