moving to philly; looking for safe urban neighborhood (Philadelphia, Penn: condos, house)

[toocan-anj]

We will be moving to Philly sometime this year. My husband and I are older, late 40's and 50's and would like to live somewhere in Philadelphia, purchase a place for around $350,000-$450,000. We have two college age sons (Rutgers) and a high schooler (Freshman). We currently live in North Jersey, and want out of suburbia. I want to live somewhere I don't need a car! Private school is a viable option for the high schooler.My husband's new job will be in Voorhees NJ. We have been told the commute from Philadelphia to Voorhees is very doable. Any ideas? All help would be welcome.

[lititzman2003]

Originally Posted by toocan-anj

We will be moving to Philly sometime this year. My husband and I are older, late 40's and 50's and would like to live somewhere in Philadelphia, purchase a place for around $350,000-$450,000. We have two college age sons (Rutgers) and a high schooler (Freshman). We currently live in North Jersey, and want out of suburbia. I want to live somewhere I don't need a car! Private school is a viable option for the high schooler.My husband's new job will be in Voorhees NJ. We have been told the commute from Philadelphia to Voorhees is very doable. Any ideas? All help would be welcome.

You should be able to find a nice house for that price in Torresdale, Bustleton, Parkwood or Fox Chase. Several bus routes throughout the neighborhoods. All are about 30 minutes or so to Voorhees by car; alot longer if he's taking public transportation. If, by private, you mean Catholic, Archbishop Ryan High School is on Academy Road and has an excellent faculty . Good luck and welcome to Philadelphia!

[otters21]

Some of the safer car free areas are: Bridesburg, Fishtown, Port Richmond (east of Aramingo Ave) , Manayunk, Roxborough ( both Upper and Lower), Wissahickon, and many parts of South Philadelphia.

[toocan-anj]

Thanks for these replies. By private school I just meant we were not limited in location by the public high schools, although I am looking at Central High as I have heard it is good. Are the high schools open enrollment? And does any know how difficult the private schools, probably one of the Friends schools around, are for acceptance?

I have looked in Fishtown, and Manayunk, what about Pennsport? Or the Italian Marker area? Would a commute to South NJ be difficult from there?

We will be spending a few days there next week, and I want to have different areas to walk around in and get the feel of.

[lititzman2003]

Originally Posted by toocan-anj

Thanks for these replies. By private school I just meant we were not limited in location by the public high schools, although I am looking at Central High as I have heard it is good. Are the high schools open enrollment? And does any know how difficult the private schools, probably one of the Friends schools around, are for acceptance?

I have looked in Fishtown, and Manayunk, what about Pennsport? Or the Italian Marker area? Would a commute to South NJ be difficult from there?

We will be spending a few days there next week, and I want to have different areas to walk around in and get the feel of.

As long as your child has good grades he shouldn't have any trouble getting into a good private school. Commuting from Fishtown, Pennsport and the Italian Market to Voorhees is a fairly easy drive. Manayunk and Roxborough are further Northwest so it could be a 45-60 minute hike.

[DailyJournalist]

Consider Collingswood, Haddonfield, or Haddon Township NJ. All three are walkable towns that you will not need a car, with PATCO access to Philadelphia. Also convenient to to Voorhees.

http://www.collingswood.com/

http://www.haddontwp.com/

http://www.haddonfieldnj.org/

http://www.ridepatco.org/

http://www.classictowns.org/

[fifi le pew]

If you are looking for an urban environment, then I don't think the Northeast or Jersey will do it for you. It may be close to buses and subways, but is not really "urban" in my opinion. For your budget, you might be able to find a decent 3 bedroom rowhouse or condo in queen Village or Bella Vista. These are areas between the Delaware River and Broad Street. You would be able to walk to most of Center City, but would be close to subways/trains to Jersey and other parts of Philly

High schools are tough here. The two best, in my opinion, are Masterman and Central. However, Masterman takes most of its kids in 5th grade. Central is also excellent. There are also a number of charters and privates that might meet your needs. Neighborhood high schools are not that great, so you would either need to go private for high school or enroll in a specialized charter school or specialized high school (of which there are many).

One thing to consider is that you only have one child at home. You could, in theory, get by with a two bedroom. If so, that opens up a number of options in Center City condos. I am living and raising 2 children in Center City and love it. I absolutely love walking everywhere, including stores, shopping, and schools. I currently live in a n'hood called Wash West and you could get a 2-3 bedroom place for $400-500K.

[toocan-anj]

Thanks for the help here. I will look in Queen Village, Bella Vista, Center City and what ever else pops up. It is good to read from those who live there, and really nice to read you are raising tow kids in Center City and love it.

[otters21]

Originally Posted by otters21

Some of the safer car free areas are: Bridesburg, Fishtown, Port Richmond (east of Aramingo Ave) , Manayunk, Roxborough ( both Upper and Lower), Wissahickon, and many parts of South Philadelphia.

I like to add that East Kensington ( East of Frankford Ave. between Norris st. and Lehigh Ave) is not too bad either.

[orrmobl]

I would NOT live in Bridesburg (very racist), Fishtown (hyped but still rough), Port Richmond (still heading down), Kensington, Pennport (same), Torresdale, Bustleton, Mayfair, blah, blah, blah. All blue coller lower to barely middle class, rough neighbors and dirty streets.

Fox Chase is still nice but the Northeast has seen better days. Manayunk, Roxborough, Andorra all great places. Bella Vista, Queen Village, Center City, Art Museum Area, heck even Northern Liberties, Graduate Hospital? are much better/more desirable places to live and I would look there.