Another one who wants to relocate...from Europe (Philadelphia, Washington: low crime, how much)

[Abi1_98]

Dear forum supporters,
I've read several posts and I have received very useful hints, but I think it's now time to ask my questions.
I'm planning to move to US from Europe (an Italian living in south of France to be more precise) and I'm targeting Philadelphia or Boston area.
I would define my family (my wife, my son 10 yrs. and myself) as upper-middle class, in our late 40s, we are looking for a place with very good schools at first, nice neighbours, safe, walkable areas with shops, restaurant and coffees. Hey, we adore the US but somehow we are still Italian. We do not want to stay in a big city, commuting time is not an issue.
If possible not too much snow in the winter nor hot and sticky summer days.
After several investigation, a place like Wallingford,PA ringed some bells, but here is where I quit and I commend my final decision into your suggestions.
Looking forward to hear from you.
Alberto

[solibs]

If you want Mediterranean weather you'll have to head to California. The weather in Philadelphia is very similar to that of Milan. Boston is colder.

Is that what you had in mind?

Aussi, quel type de maison? combien des chambres? bains? le jardin?

[MoorestownResident]

Originally Posted by Abi1_98

Dear forum supporters,
I've read several posts and I have received very useful hints, but I think it's now time to ask my questions.
I'm planning to move to US from Europe (an Italian living in south of France to be more precise) and I'm targeting Philadelphia or Boston area.
I would define my family (my wife, my son 10 yrs. and myself) as upper-middle class, in our late 40s, we are looking for a place with very good schools at first, nice neighbours, safe, walkable areas with shops, restaurant and coffees. Hey, we adore the US but somehow we are still Italian. We do not want to stay in a big city, commuting time is not an issue.
If possible not too much snow in the winter nor hot and sticky summer days.
After several investigation, a place like Wallingford,PA ringed some bells, but here is where I quit and I commend my final decision into your suggestions.
Looking forward to hear from you.
Alberto

Many Europeans are happier in NJ than the Philly/PA burbs. I've met several who relocated to places like Haddonfield, Moorestown, Medford, those places offer a lot of amenties that Europeans are used to having - restaurants, shopping, access to major roads, walking around downtown, great schools and access to major cities like NYC and Philly. Compare for yourself but towns in PA offer less than comparable towns in NJ.

[JHG722]

Originally Posted by MoorestownResident

Many Europeans are happier in NJ than the Philly/PA burbs. I've met several who relocated to places like Haddonfield, Moorestown, Medford, those places offer a lot of amenties that Europeans are used to having - restaurants, shopping, access to major roads, walking around downtown, great schools and access to major cities like NYC and Philly. Compare for yourself but towns in PA offer less than comparable towns in NJ.

Please ignore MoorestownResident's continuously biased posts, because they're garbage. Wallingford is a great area.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by solibs

Aussi, quel type de maison? combien des chambres? bains? le jardin?

Solibs, nous parlons seulment anglais ici. Merci!

Solibs, we only speak English here. Thanks!

[Aylalou]

Originally Posted by Abi1_98

Dear forum supporters,
I've read several posts and I have received very useful hints, but I think it's now time to ask my questions.
I'm planning to move to US from Europe (an Italian living in south of France to be more precise) and I'm targeting Philadelphia or Boston area.
I would define my family (my wife, my son 10 yrs. and myself) as upper-middle class, in our late 40s, we are looking for a place with very good schools at first, nice neighbours, safe, walkable areas with shops, restaurant and coffees. Hey, we adore the US but somehow we are still Italian. We do not want to stay in a big city, commuting time is not an issue.
If possible not too much snow in the winter nor hot and sticky summer days.
After several investigation, a place like Wallingford,PA ringed some bells, but here is where I quit and I commend my final decision into your suggestions.
Looking forward to hear from you.
Alberto

If you don't want too much snow and don't want hot, sticky days, move to Oregon or Washington. Mild weather, though rainy and cloudy in winter. Both states are BEAUTIFUL. Lots of greenery.

[solibs]

Originally Posted by Tone509

Solibs, nous parlons seulment anglais ici. Merci!

Solibs, we only speak English here. Thanks!

por supuesto! entiendo bien.

[Abi1_98]

Thank you everybody.
I know the weather we have here is hardly matchable, but we prefer to remain on the East coast.
I can deal a weather similar to Milan, even if it is not my preferred one. Snow it is not an issue.
After reading "Mooretownresident" post I was consdering NJ as another option, but now you make me worry telling his posts are garbage.
Are there remarkable differences between PA and NJ within a radius of 25 miles from Philadelphia ?
Good schools and low crime remain a must
And, please, do not blame "solibs", an act of kindness is always welcome.

[solibs]

Originally Posted by Abi1_98

Thank you everybody.
I know the weather we have here is hardly matchable, but we prefer to remain on the East coast.
I can deal a weather similar to Milan, even if it is not my preferred one. Snow it is not an issue.
After reading "Mooretownresident" post I was consdering NJ as another option, but now you make me worry telling his posts are garbage.
Are there remarkable differences between PA and NJ within a radius of 25 miles from Philadelphia ?
Good schools and low crime remain a must
And, please, do not blame "solibs", an act of kindness is always welcome.

Seriously, what type of house are you looking for? How many bedrooms? How about a garden? You can get a lot of space here. How much do you want to spend?

The NJ suburbs only extend about 15 miles from Center City before becoming more rural. About half of southern New Jersey is in a zone where development is severely restricted. It's mostly pine forests and farms.

If you compare development by time period, for instance, a town developed in the 1920s and a neighborhood built in the 1950s or 1970s, they're indistinguishable. The only real difference is that Pennsylvania has rolling hills where NJ is very flat.

Also, about 1/3 of the metro population lives in South Jersey. The other 2/3 live in PA.

[Abi1_98]

Individual house, in a nice residential area, 4 bedrooms are enough, definitely a garden. Budget max. is 1.000.000.
Do you have any suggestion about an area to visit during my next trip scheduled for November ?