Any 1990s+ subdivisions within 100 miles of Philly for $250K? (Chester: cul-de-sac, HOA fees)

[denemante]

We're a bit stuck. Two income family living North of Atlanta with two kids. Today, we could afford something like a $350K+ home. There are plenty of them - 1995 and newer - in the region. Pretty immaculate places. Beautiful landscaping, all newer businesses nearby. And the homes have finished basements making sqaure footage like 3500 sq. ft. Obviously, nice climate. Swim/tennis communities - even with their own swim teams that compete against the one a few miles away. That's the lifestyle north of Atlanta.

I'm from South Jersey and my wife from Western PA. To be closer to grandparents, we may need to move back to the NE.

However, my wife is a very well respected, seasoned teacher here. Up there, there are 5000 applicants for about 500 jobs. We'd probably have to go without her income.

That puts us in about a $250K house. We love our parents greatly and know they miss their grandkids.

But from my research, a $250K home in the NE buys us a 1967 split-level with a carport and shag carpet. Just a house on a street. No subdivision.

Is there any area in MD, Northern VA, SE PA that might be even remotely similar to what we're used to here?

[frankgn87]

right now, $250k will buy you a nice single home in Bucks, Mont and south Jersey.. All 3 are about the same prop taxes too. Maybe I am out of touch but what exactly is a sub division?

[JohnZ963]

Berks county, PA has plenty of newer, 2000+ square foot houses in that price range, and that (I'm guessing) would be about 50 miles from Philly. Beware that the taxes will vary based upon the year it was built; for some reason a house built during the r. e. bubble (2004-2007 or so) has much higher taxes than the exact same house built between 1995 and 2003 or so.

[FindingZen]

Regarding Northern Virginia, I can tell you that $250K will barely get you a condo there... let alone that it's really closer to 150-200 miles to the Philly metro, depending on your reference point. MD would start to become difficult too, particularly west of Baltimore as it merges with DC.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by frankgn87

Maybe I am out of touch but what exactly is a sub division?

Basically, a subdivision is a self-contained community of cul-de-sacs. It will often have its own name: e.g. "Netherwoods Chase". (Yes, I just made that one up. ) Sometimes the community will also pay homeowner association fees (aka HOA fees) for common maintenance, community pool etc.

As you know there are a lot of older homes in the Philly area, you'll often have to travel pretty far into the 'burbs or exurbs to find a subdivision.

[frankgn87]

Originally Posted by Tone509

Basically, a subdivision is a self-contained community of cul-de-sacs. It will often have its own name: e.g. "Netherwoods Chase". (Yes, I just made that one up. ) Sometimes the community will also pay homeowner association fees (aka HOA fees) for common maintenance, community pool etc.

As you know there are a lot of older homes in the Philly area, you'll often have to travel pretty far into the 'burbs or exurbs to find a subdivision.

Ahh, That is what I thought it was. To find one in Bucks you have to go to Warrington and such, Montgomery county to Harleysville area.. I think.. South Jersey has em closer to Philly in Mt. Laurel, Cherry hill and such

[FindingZen]

To the OP, do you know where you'd be working in the area? While you may be "road-tested" from Atlanta commutes, I imagine you wouldn't mind spending more time at home up here. The areas that frankgn87 referenced would be roughly an hour from downtown, for example.

[kimrocktherealtor]

You could be within a half hour from downtown Philly if you went with Lower Bucks - But for 250k/newer/subdivision you'd be looking more at Townhomes than single family homes, are you okay with a townhome? If not, you need to move a little further out, areas like Perkasie and Quakertown are a little more removed but having some AMAZING deals in your price range for single family homes in subdivisions that are only a few years old.

[solibs]

There is a quite a bit of new construction in the mid to high 200s the Philly exurbs. Southern and Western Chester Co., Western Montgomery Co., etc

Developers are hurting. (I know, i used to work for one) they're always looking to make a deal.

[michgc]

You could probably check out Northern Maryland - Cecil and Harford counties. Delaware might be another possibility.