Atlanta to Philadelphia (Blue Bell: how much, house, job market)

[FromGA]

We are very seriously contemplating a move to metro-Philadelphia from Atlanta in the near future (family of four with young kids). I have visited the northeast several times (have family all over there), but have not necessarily lived there. After researching the northeast (Boston thru NoVa) I feel metro- Philadelphia may be the closest to Atlanta in terms of cost of living, diverse economy, etc. Am I correct?

Recent posts were lamenting a move from NC back to Philly etc. So I would like to know -- what would the solid suburbs of Philadelphia lack that the sunbelt might specifically offer? (leaving out the weather as a factor, since one person's dreary winter is another person's four seasons).

How would the cost of housing compare? What is the price range for good housing in a solid suburb (eg. Blue Bell?? - using this as an example only because I have visited there). How is the job market in general (we work in Information Technology).

Thanks for your input.

[kimrocktherealtor]

Lots of jobs in the city in your field. Cost of housing for a 4 bedroom 2.5 bath .25 acre property in Bucks County tends to be around 300k for something nice. I've visited Atlanta quite a lot and the cities and suburbs are very similar, the one thing I personally think are different between Atlanta and Phila is that people tend to be a lot more laid back in the suburban atlanta area than in the phila area.. but thats just a N vs S thing in general.

[orrmobl]

Seems like everybody in Atlanta is from somewhere else these days. In Philly, people tend to have been here for generations so it may be harder to make social inroads, but there are newcomers groups and I intend to join one even though I've lived here all my life but will be moving to a new area pretty far from where I grew up in both a geographic and socioeconomic sense.

Everything else will be comparable or better and the weather IMO can't be beat as you have four seasons although winters have been unseasonably mild as of late, but southerners would probably like that...

[mznatalie]

some suburbs of philly have really high property taxes so beware.

[ajb842]

In general, and I only have family in Atlanta, I think you get more house there for your money. So be prepared to possibly compromise. You may get less square footage, less land, less bathrooms,etc here for the same amount of money in atlanta. In general, I think the cost of living is higher here. That being said, there may be more job opportunities as well as educational(this is ONLY a speculation)as we have major universities here and an enormous amount of cultural/historical offerings in restaurants,museums,fairs,etc. Philadelphia offers much of an "American Salad Bowl/Melting Pot"analogy in real life! In Blue Bell which you mentioned, I recently saw a home with 1700sq ft, 3 bed 1/5bath for 275K. Blue Bell is maybe more expensive than other areas, but very nice and if that price is ok, increase your budget to about 325K and you'll find something. However, even though it's more you get more land. Good luck!

[FromGA]

Originally Posted by mznatalie

some suburbs of philly have really high property taxes so beware.

How much might the "typical" property tax be on a 350K house? How much in "high property tax" areas? Are property taxes levied by counties, or are towns/cities in the act as well?

(Also, are taxes much higher on the NJ side such as Cherry Hill, and why?)

Thanks.

[FromGA]

Originally Posted by ajb842

In general, and I only have family in Atlanta, I think you get more house there for your money. So be prepared to possibly compromise. You may get less square footage, less land, less bathrooms,etc here for the same amount of money in atlanta. In general, I think the cost of living is higher here. That being said, there may be more job opportunities as well as educational(this is ONLY a speculation)as we have major universities here and an enormous amount of cultural/historical offerings in restaurants,museums,fairs,etc. Philadelphia offers much of an "American Salad Bowl/Melting Pot"analogy in real life! In Blue Bell which you mentioned, I recently saw a home with 1700sq ft, 3 bed 1/5bath for 275K. Blue Bell is maybe more expensive than other areas, but very nice and if that price is ok, increase your budget to about 325K and you'll find something. However, even though it's more you get more land. Good luck!

That is encouraging. I would probably be looking in the 300K-350K range, so it looks like I would have some options to look at. I would certainly be willing to give up some amenities, in exchange for the pleasure of living in the northeast corridor!

[FromGA]

Originally Posted by orrmobl

Seems like everybody in Atlanta is from somewhere else these days. In Philly, people tend to have been here for generations so it may be harder to make social inroads, but there are newcomers groups and I intend to join one even though I've lived here all my life but will be moving to a new area pretty far from where I grew up in both a geographic and socioeconomic sense.

I got this impression from some of the other posts as well! But as you say, there must be ways around it - so how does one get to know of these groups!?

[FromGA]

Originally Posted by ooodsie

Lots of jobs in the city in your field. Cost of housing for a 4 bedroom 2.5 bath .25 acre property in Bucks County tends to be around 300k for something nice. ...

How much has the recent correction in home prices been? A 300K house today would have been how much at peak? Thanks.

[kelb]

On average I'd say that 300K home was 330 - 350 before the fall.