Floridian moving to Philly Area (rentals, how much, house)

[Eric_96SC]

From a fellow Floridian who grew up in central Florida (New Smyrna Beach, 20+ years), and spent time in south Florida (Pompano Beach, < 1 year), as well, I can say you will definitely want to buy a nice heavy coat for the winter months.

The traffic here is definitely worse than Orlando, and in my opinion, a little worse than Miami. Orlando has more main roads and highways with less overall congestion. Miami has the same problem Philadelphia has where there are only a couple of good ways to get from one side of the city to the other without actually driving through the city.

From my experience, you will not find anything like the Lake Nona area (not sure about Pembroke) anywhere inside or in the immediate vicinity of Philadelphia. The closest you might get are the far western suburbs around West Chester and Downingtown, but even these will probably not have the same feel for you. At least they did not for me. They are fine areas, but a little cost-prohibitive for my family for the time being with only a single source of income.

There is the equivalent of a Super Target in the Bustleton area of the far Northeast Philadelphia. My wife and I are also big fans of Target and shop there often. It's probably one of the cleanest Target stores that I have ever been in.

The Bustleton area also has relatively quick access to a number of malls, including the Franklin Mills mall, which is sizable, plenty of restaurants, some newer construction, and lots of families. The area is, I believe, considered among the safer of those inside the city limits. My wife is a stay-at-home mom and has never expressed feeling unsafe in our apartment in the Bustleton area, or when walking around the neighborhood.

You may already have experienced some of the Northeast attitude coming from the snowbirds in and around central and south Florida. I honestly think that, for the most part, people will be more friendly in Philadelphia until you hit the road in your car. I often joke with my wife that the reason Florida has so many bad drivers is that a lot of them come from the Northeast, Michigan, and Chicago. It's pretty easy to strike up a friendly conversation with someone you've never met here, but that same person will flip you off and cuss you out if you try to merge into their lane.

Back to Bustleton, there are some pretty nice apartments in the area, and I can recommend a few from very recent dealings with apartment managers, doing walkthroughs, driving through at night and on the weekend, etc. It's also very convenient to I-95, Roosevelt Blvd, and the PA turnpike.

[JasmineFlower]

Originally Posted by ericsinphilly

There is the equivalent of a Super Target in the Bustleton area of the far Northeast Philadelphia. My wife and I are also big fans of Target and shop there often. It's probably one of the cleanest Target stores that I have ever been in.

I think that's a Target Greatland, isn't it? Not a Super Target which is different, not a full grocery store within the Target or the other extras (like a bank), which is much different, like a Walmart vs. a Super Walmart. There are several Target Greatlands in the area but no SuperTargets.

[Eric_96SC]

I stand corrected. Didn't realize there was a distinction.

[FlyersFan]

Originally Posted by VMAK09

My fiancee has recently been given an offer for a better paying job in the Philadelphia Area.

If you still have a choice I'd tell you to stay where you are !!! The out of control cost of living up here, cost of real estate, high property taxes, state income taxes, CITY wage taxes, winter heating costs will quickly eat up that extra pay and more !!!

[JHG722]

Um the cost of real estate is a bargain compared to most major cities...

[FlyersFan]

Originally Posted by JHG722

Um the cost of real estate is a bargain compared to most major cities...

We're not talking "most major cities"....we're talking about a comparrison between Phlly area and Florida in general......Philly and suburbs will give this couple sticker shock for sure......for what it costs for a condo here you can buy a mansion in Florida !!!

[JHG722]

Originally Posted by FlyersFan

We're not talking "most major cities"....we're talking about a comparrison between Phlly area and Florida in general......Philly and suburbs will give this couple sticker shock for sure......for what it costs for a condo here you can buy a mansion in Florida !!!

Ever looked at real estate in South Florida? Yeah right...

[FlyersFan]

Originally Posted by JHG722

Ever looked at real estate in South Florida? Yeah right...

Yes.....I have.......I visit Florida and my kids OFTEN in Ocala....not exactly South Florida.......however....they just bought a home there in a VERY nice development.....rancher with 3 bedrooms.....2 baths....2 car attached garage....fireplace....exterior jaccuzzi on deck...nice sized lot......$160,000.....taxes....$1500......Philly and suburbs including South Jersey has NOTHING price wise that compares to whats available down there.....NOTHING !!!

[DailyJournalist]

Originally Posted by FlyersFan

my kids OFTEN in Ocala....not exactly South Florida.......!

LOL, Ocala They can keep their house in redneckville and their $8 an hour jobs.

//www.city-data.com/forum/ocala...-so-great.html

[maf763]

Be that as it may, the OP is asking for advice on areas around Philadelphia. When she needs help from anonymous internet forum posters about her next life-changing decision, I'm sure she'll ask.