Single with two small children school age (York, Drexel Hill: rent, condo)

[trmaoy]

Hi,

I have been to Philly once but only saw the downtown area and it rained the whole day that I had free. I am considering job opportunities there. I would have two small children with me, one in school all day, and the other would need pre-school. What areas could I rent a nice townhome/condo for about $1300 per month with access to good schools and not too long of a commute? I prefer suburban areas, but safe inner city areas would be fine too. The main concern is that I would need to be able to commute easily to get to the schools from work. Also, do the schools there have after school latchkey programs? Thanks.

[bambiying]

Are you going to be working in Center City, or another area of the city? Would you be driving to work, or taking public transportation, either bus or train? What is the longest commute, timewise, that you would be able to handle?

My school district (Upper Moreland) has before and aftercare that you can pay extra for, but not all do, and Philly doesn't.

If you can give us some more info, we can help you better.

[orrmobl]

Havertown, Springfield or Pilgrim Gardens section of Drexel Hill in Delaware County. Also places like Swarthmore/Wallingford/Nether Providence and Media come to mind. All have at least train access to the city and good to great public schools. A step down and a tad further out would be Ridley Park, Secane and Brookhaven/sections of Aston/Parkside in the Sun Valley SD.

[trmaoy]

Originally Posted by bambiying

Are you going to be working in Center City, or another area of the city? Would you be driving to work, or taking public transportation, either bus or train? What is the longest commute, timewise, that you would be able to handle?

My school district (Upper Moreland) has before and aftercare that you can pay extra for, but not all do, and Philly doesn't.

If you can give us some more info, we can help you better.

Well, I am used to driving everywhere, but if there is good public transit I would use it because the government gives subsidies to use it. I will have to start off renting but want a nice area with lots of families and kids.

I would be willing to accept a commute of up to 40 mins. Do you have to drive to a subway station to catch the trains? If so, I would have to factor that in too.

Where do the kids of working parents go after school in Philly?

[trmaoy]

Originally Posted by orrmobl

Havertown, Springfield or Pilgrim Gardens section of Drexel Hill in Delaware County. Also places like Swarthmore/Wallingford/Nether Providence and Media come to mind. All have at least train access to the city and good to great public schools. A step down and a tad further out would be Ridley Park, Secane and Brookhaven/sections of Aston/Parkside in the Sun Valley SD.

Are these suburbs in Pennsylvania? What kind of commute would it be to downtown on the train?

Also, I think what I really want to know is what kind of quality of life will we have there. Is everything big city hectic or are the suburbs real suburbs away from the "big city." Right now I live 40 mins. outside of Detroit. I have a house with a big yard, good schools, lots of shopping and restaurants, parks etc.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by trmaoy

Are these suburbs in Pennsylvania? What kind of commute would it be to downtown on the train?

Also, I think what I really want to know is what kind of quality of life will we have there. Is everything big city hectic or are the suburbs real suburbs away from the "big city." Right now I live 40 mins. outside of Detroit. I have a house with a big yard, good schools, lots of shopping and restaurants, parks etc.

Yes, those are all southwestern Philly suburbs. Some are more convenient to the train than others. Those towns range from decent working-class to comfortable upper-middle Orrmobl, who is rather familiar with the area, can expound on that more. Check out septa.org for transit information.

Compared to say, DC or New York, there aren't really any "steroidal" suburbs in Philly. That's not to say that you'll hit pastoral hills as soon as you cross the city line. $1300 might be a little short to guarantee the big yard and top-tier school districts. Others here can probably be more specific about recommendatons.