Moving BACK to philly with kids - Philadelphia - Pennsylvania (PA) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

mckngbrd · 05-04-2009, 06:50 PM

any other PA. towns anyone can think ....or even up and comers in NJ. like collingswood?

Tangled Threads · 05-05-2009, 04:47 AM

[/quote]Is there a good/bad parts of collingswood i should know abt???[/quote]

I would keep a close look at the street you're looking at in the area between Rte. 30 (White Horse Pike) and Rte. 130; I think there's some spots that can be a bit problematic. There's still a lot of "diamonds in the rough" in Collingswood. There are some good sized twins that are well-priced with nice yards and often with garages if you don't mind being attached.

As a resident of Collingswood of close to 6 years, I would say it's a nice town -- by no means perfect but my complaints are few.

orrmobl · 05-05-2009, 12:14 PM

Definitely Wallingford(especially Garden City section)/Nether Providence/Swarthmore/Rose Valley, Media, or Collingswood, NJ. If you don't mind occasional property crime and parochial schooling as a trade off for inexpensive housing and proximity to the city, check out Lansdowne. Almost forgot about Narberth - has most of what you want but housing is expensive and I don't know how much green space you get. And I have read Collingswood schools are not all that - whereas all the places in PA save Lansdowne are...

If you don't mind a long commute I would check out the Downingtown School District, West Chester (although I think you pay a bit for hype there and D-town schools are better), Phoenixville, and if you really want to be out there, Collegeville and Royersford. Unionville Chadds Ford schools are also really great but you will pay a bit for housing and have to drive 20 min to Media to catch a train to the city. Garnet Valley (Glen Mills/Bethel area) are also very good but the area is mostly new developments and keep-up-with-Joneses types and you still have to drive to Media to catch the train.

mckngbrd · 05-05-2009, 02:44 PM

yes....we are definately looking for a commute of 35 min of less if possible. But those are great suggestions....

pman · 05-05-2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mckngbrd

yes....we are definately looking for a commute of 35 min of less if possible. But those are great suggestions....

are you willing to take the train to work? If so, check out SEPTA. the R5 runs frequent and fast express service during rush hours. Still, you may want to consider Univ city in the Penn Alexander catchment. There are good schools in the city but you have to do your research. A number of areas have improved over the past ten years, including u city and mt. airy.
Dirt roads within 30 minutes of the city? that's tough. too many people had your list of demands and all the dirt road have given way to housing. there used to be some between Paoli and Newtown Square, haven't been out there in a few years. Paoli is 35 min on the express, otherwise it's 50 minutes and about that driving at rish hour, sometimes more.
Beware property taxes in nj

mckngbrd · 05-07-2009, 04:18 AM

1.How does on just search for things in university city?

2.what abt the jenkintown,wyncote,folsom area? how far are they?

mckngbrd · 05-07-2009, 04:58 AM

thank you all for your input--- i have made another list and tying to get it narrowed down in another thread...giving up on the dirt roads......

I appreciate you taking time to help us find the right place. In these times of woe,your opinions will make a difference in maing our lives a bit easier.