Good Areas to Live (Chester, Norristown: home, school districts, wage)

[kelggill]

We will be in Paoli in Aug. to look for housing. What areas should we avoid? We have a 12 yr. old daughter that will be in the 7th grade, I want somewhere safe due to, she could at times be home alone or have to walk to catch the bus for school. We can't afford the expensive places, we need to stay around $1000/month, which I know in that area is tough to find but if someone can please point us in the right direction of where to look and where to avoid. I've been on Craigslist.com looking but I just don't know what areas I shouldn't look at, my husband will be working in Paoli and a 45 minute commute is fine with him, we just need pointed in the right direction.

Thanks for any help

[bryson662001]

Originally Posted by kelggill

We will be in Paoli in Aug. to look for housing. What areas should we avoid? We have a 12 yr. old daughter that will be in the 7th grade, I want somewhere safe due to, she could at times be home alone or have to walk to catch the bus for school. We can't afford the expensive places, we need to stay around $1000/month, which I know in that area is tough to find but if someone can please point us in the right direction of where to look and where to avoid. I've been on Craigslist.com looking but I just don't know what areas I shouldn't look at, my husband will be working in Paoli and a 45 minute commute is fine with him, we just need pointed in the right direction.

Thanks for any help

IMO everyplace out that way is fine except: Norristown, Bridgeport, Lansdowne and East Lansdowne, Upper Darby or anyplace southeast of Upper Darby (Providence, Swarthmore and Springfield are fine)

[orrmobl]

Avoid the William Penn, Southeast Delco, Chester Upland, Norristown, Coatesville, and Chichester school districts. Upper Darby would be next on the list of least desirable districts but Drexel Hill is safe. Pretty much anywhere else should be good from an educational and safety perspective...

[kelggill]

Thank you for your help.

[wizard26]

Northeast Philly is the place to live, very safe if you compare it with the rest of Philly.. Just stay above Cottman Ave...

[NurseCat]

Chester Springs, Exton and Downingtown are all about 30 minutes west of Paoli. They're all in the Downingtown school district which is highly rated.

[kelggill]

Thank you both.

[frankgn87]

Originally Posted by kelggill

We will be in Paoli in Aug. to look for housing. What areas should we avoid? We have a 12 yr. old daughter that will be in the 7th grade, I want somewhere safe due to, she could at times be home alone or have to walk to catch the bus for school. We can't afford the expensive places, we need to stay around $1000/month, which I know in that area is tough to find but if someone can please point us in the right direction of where to look and where to avoid. I've been on Craigslist.com looking but I just don't know what areas I shouldn't look at, my husband will be working in Paoli and a 45 minute commute is fine with him, we just need pointed in the right direction.

Thanks for any help

Move to somewhere near where your hubby works. Gas for commute and better schools in the burbs will win you over. + you have to pay city wage tax if you live in the city. The schools are not nearly as good as the burbs too. There is really no good reason to move into the city with children.. Single people is another story.. The city is more geared for singles who love the nightlife.

[frankgn87]

Originally Posted by NurseCat

Chester Springs, Exton and Downingtown are all about 30 minutes west of Paoli. They're all in the Downingtown school district which is highly rated.

Excellent advise.. + its much safer then the city.. MUCH safer

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by frankgn87

Excellent advise.. + its much safer then the city.. MUCH safer

Fair enough, although a commute from Philly to Paoli would have likely exceeded their preferred 45 minutes. It certainly makes sense to consider surrounding suburban areas.