Philadelphia Nesties
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Philadelphia housing costs?
I'm considering a job in downtown Philadelphia, and we're trying to get a feel for housing costs in the area. We'd be looking to spend about $380,000 for a 4 BR SFH; within reasonable commuting distance to downtown (~30-40 mins., with traffic); some yard, but doesn't need to be huge; and good schools. Doable, or are we crazy?
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Re: Philadelphia housing costs?
Yes. Do-able, but your commuting time will probably need adjustment. Driving into downtown Philadelphia from the PA suburbs can be hellish (like N. VA traffic) and your ideal drive time with traffic limits the number of communities that fit your qualifications.
The eastern portion of "the main line" is a good place to start looking. The Main Line is northwest of center city. Towns like Ardmore, Narberth, Bryn Mawr, Haverford. These are very nice neighborhoods, but $380K is more likely to get you a nice-sized twin in these parts or a smaller SFH that probably needs updating. Schools in this area (mostly the Lower Merion School District) are very good. There is a great community called Havertown which is just next to Haverford and Ardmore. Havertown is very cute, nice place to live, good schools and more affordable than the towns I listed above.
If you are willing to extend your drive or are willing to take the train to Philadelphia, you could look at Rosemont or Wayne. Again, a bit more pricey, but good school district (Radnor).
You could also look at Media, PA, which is west of Center City. Very nice downtown, good schools (Rose Tree Media SD), houses are more likely to fit your price range and desired size.
I am of no assistance with New Jersey.
Ditto erbur and I will add Havertown to the list. 380 can get you a SFH around there that, depending on your interior desires will either be perfect or need updating.
Rosemont/Wayne will be tough to get 4 BD for 380.
Media/Rose Tree school district might get you a wee bit more house for the money than Havertown/Lower Merion.
actually here is a house for 348 in havertown in a super neighborhood. (used to live in it) and AWESOME for commuting (Route 100 is walking distance, and then take that to the Market-Frankford EL)
http://www.everyhome.net/pa/de/ha/t5874506.htm
You are just a speed reader! Of course, I didn't forget Havertown--how could I? The countless nights I spent at the Skatium, getting pizza on Brookline Blvd, Centrella's Deli. I still go to my dentist in Havertown.
And a vote for New Jersey. You could have that commute no problem and in your budget.
If you would be driving to work check out Mt. Laurel, Moorestown, Marlton. All nice neighborhoods and good schools. Moorestown was named best town to live in America a few years ago.
If you are more interested in a older town with a cute downtown area with lots of shops check out Haddonfield or Collingswood. Haddonfield probably has more 4 BR houses. Both are right on the Patco rail line which is a 15-20 minute ride into Center City.
Plus to NJ is closest commute into the city without being in the city and relatively lower traffic.
Minus is toll to cross bridge into city if driving and property taxes are often higher than PA.
Another vote for the city- check out the Packer Park area in South Philly. There is a new development (The Reserves) down where the old naval homes used to be not too far from the NovaCare Complex. Easy access to the major highways and the Broad Street Subway and some buses are close by.
I second NJ if you want to commute to center city. Specifically somewhere along the speedline, like Collingswood, Haddon Twp, Haddonfield (although Haddonfield specifically may have limited availability under 400k), Vorhees and surrounding areas.
Edit: quick check of the MLS shows maybe 31 listings under 400k in Haddonfield - not bad .. schools there are FANTASTIC, I highly recommend looking there. Awesome town and super easy commute to CC.
We moved from the city to Havertown last year and love it! Great schools, wonderful community, low taxes (compared to other suburban towns) and very accessible to the city via public transit and car.
You can definitely get a nice SFH with yard in your budget.
DS 3.12.08
DD 7.11.09
DD 8.01.13
We're planning to move from the city to the 'burbs in a couple of months, and we had about the same requirements as you. Check out Collingswood in NJ, Ardmore/Havertown/Bryn Mawr in PA (Narberth is great but it'll be hard to stay under $400000 for a decent SFH). All of those places have nice little downtowns and great transit so you could leave your car at home. Good luck!
(If you wanted to be in the city, check our Mt. Airy like Lachute suggested, also some areas of south philly are great. If you are considering the city too, let us know and we can make some more suggestions!)