Moving BACK to philly with kids (State College, Chester: best suburbs, apartment, renting)

[mckngbrd]

When are you moving? mid summer possibly
Where are you coming from? rural NY, an hour outside the city
Why are you moving? relocationdue to layoff in nyc
Where will you be working?Center city
Have you been here yet? We lived off Rittenhouse Square almost 10 years ago, had a small trinity.... adored that inner city life. BUT we didnt have kids.
That being said i think the HEART of traditional suburbia (newer 'McMansions' and a mall on every corner) is not what we are after if we can help it. Convenience to stores etc is not an issue-but an 45+ commute IS. I know we might have compromise on this point of the suburbs. But perhaps If the schools were goodish INSIDE the city we might consider that,but i know there is the lottery issue. We also go to NYC frequently.

Will you buy or rent? either
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend? house, will be making 85k a year
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend?
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up?

Are you married or single? Do you have children? 2 kids 9 KINDERGARTEN AND 4TH GRADE)
Do you prefer public or private schools? PUBLIC
Do you have pets? 2 CATS (USED TO ROAMING THE WOODS) 1 LARGE SHEPARD DOG
Do you want or need a yard? IT WOULD GOOD

Are you keeping a car? YES-2
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? WE PREFER A COUNTRY FEEL, BUT COMMUTE TIME AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS TAKE PRECEDENCE (SP?!)

What do you want to be closest to?
Work
Shopping
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.)
Nightlife
Train or subway stations (COULD THIS WORK?)

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood?
We prefer a diverse, arty feel with families 30 min or less into center city with solid schools.... and dirt roads....too much to ask?!?!?
haha.

I know this list of requirements is unrealistic,but that is what we are leaving here....so it's at least good to TRY.
Our kids don't need the BEST schools in the country,but a good solid school with heart and dedicated staff. We are artists so we get alot of culture just from our daily life/work. Schools are the priority, but i fear we will be priced out of all viable options.
We love philadelphia,but have no point of reference 10 years later with kids-HELP!

So far my very prelimnary list(from other people's posts)includes-
(proximity to CC?)
cheltenham
abington
university city
lower merion
ardemore
swarthmore/wallingford
main line
media
mt. airy
broomall
radnor
meredith
haddonfield (nj??)

[FindingZen]

Welcome back to Philly!

You might be interested in checking out this very recent thread started by a family whose situation is fairly similar to yours. It will answer a lot of your questions.

Should we live in the city or suburbs?

Beyond that, I will say that you will generally find what you are looking for in those suburban locations... except maybe those dirt roads. You'll probably have to go more than an hour outside the city for that.

[FindingZen]

Taking a second glance... if "diverse and artsy" are the main preferences, then from yourlist I'd suggest looking into Mt. Airy and University City within the city, perhaps Media (I might be reaching here) outside the city.

Cheltenham and Abington are among the most diverse suburbs albeit not so artsy. West Chester(?) may be a bit artsy due to the nearby university but is not particularly diverse than most suburbs.

Oh... I looked up Meredith, PA on a map site and it came up about an hour west of State College. Perhaps you meant another town?

[newmarlig]

The OP may have meant the Meredith School in Queen Village.

Also, please keep your cats indoors. It's dangerous from them to be allowed to roam outdoor.

[Sandi Lichtman]

NJ is an easy commute to Phila - and there are some great communities for you to consider. There are no dirt roads - but there is a river that runs through it - and your kids can learn to sail during the summers. Collinsgwood has an active main street with shops and restaurants, good schools, and an easy commute to center city. Important to know - when you live in NJ - you deduct much of what you pay in CIty WAge Tax from what you would be paying in state income tax - a nice tax savings. There are other towns with great schools and easy access to amenities - some even have homes on lakes - but from what you've said - Collingswood may be your best bet. You will easily be able to afford the housing there. AND - when you go to NY - you have a shorter trip than from the PA suburbs AND - you are closer to the beaches - can easily go for a day trip. We have a train from Lindenwold that costs $4 to Atlantic City!

[MoorestownResident]

Agree with this. The Philly wage tax is deducted from the NJ state income tax, the commute is easier from NJ and I can't think of a better investment than Collingswood, the town is completely redoing itself. But if you want the best schools, Haddonfield is your town, but expect much less house for the money and extremely high taxes. You should also consider Voorhees and Cherry Hill which are convenient to various Patco train stations.

[thesixth]

Haddonfield is not your town if you want diversity. it will be more homogenous in terms of race and income.

[mckngbrd]

I am intrigued by collingswood and i have found alot of "INTERESTING" houses there. Our budget is quite low....so we have to look at somethat others might sneer at.

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

[mckngbrd]

I am having a harder time narrowing things down in PA.
As much as i resist the BURBS...i think it may have to be for us.

In your opinion....what are the best suburbs within 35 min of philly (true travel)?

(We are kinda figuring that mt.airy and germantown might be a bit much for the whole kit and kabodle to handle after living in the country. And frankly the schools and safety are a huge issue...I mean how realistic is it to get into a charter school?)

[MoorestownResident]

Originally Posted by mckngbrd

I am having a harder time narrowing things down in PA.
As much as i resist the BURBS...i think it may have to be for us.

In your opinion....what are the best suburbs within 35 min of philly (true travel)?

(We are kinda figuring that mt.airy and germantown might be a bit much for the whole kit and kabodle to handle after living in the country. And frankly the schools and safety are a huge issue...I mean how realistic is it to get into a charter school?)

You want to be in the NJ burbs along the Patco line if commute time to Philly is an issue, IMO. Collingswood is great and transitioning itself to a more robust, desirable community. You can look around Haddon Ave, near Cooper River or in Knight's Park where there are some gems that can be restored.