Help for new and potential residents (Penn: real estate, 2015, apartment)

[toobusytoday]

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To help the members of the Pennsylvania forum guide you more quickly towards a compatible neighborhood and lifestyle, here are "just a few" starter questions to choose from.

PLEASE BOLD FONT YOUR PRIORITIES

(Thanks to solibs for "borrowing" this from another forum.)


When are you moving?
Where are you coming from?
Why are you moving?
Where will you be working?
Have you been here yet?

Will you buy or rent?
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend?
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?
Do you prefer public or private schools?
Do you have pets?
Do you want or need a yard?
Are you keeping a car?
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet?

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

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood?

Phillies, Pirates or Mets?

[toobusytoday]

State Information, general: https://www.city-data.com/states/Pennsylvania.html
Cities over 6,000 people https://www.city-data.com/city/Pennsylvania.html

Explanation of cities, towns and boroughs: https://whyy.org/articles/explainer-...bbvO5HpyDJQAp8

School information can be found here: Pennsylvania Schools - Find a Public or Private Pennsylvania School - SchoolDigger.com Just Pennsylvania schools: http://paschoolperformance.org/SelectCounty

Comparing schools nationwide. Pennsylvania rates #8 in January 2015: http://www.edweek.org/ew/qc/2015/201...cards-map.html

Where people are moving to and from - http://www.forbes.com/special-report...migration.html

Another graphic about people moving - 08/2014 https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/...1#Pennsylvania

Real estate information: http://www.realtor.com/, http://www.rentalhouses.com/ http://www.zillow.com/ http://hotpads.com/search#lat=40.993...ultsPerQuad=24

PA governance - towns, townships, etc http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_g...n_Pennsylvania

Cost of living comparison: http://money.cnn.com/calculator/pf/cost-of-living/

Comparing minimum wage you need to rent a two bedroom apt. in USA - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/...&section=crime

Stats from the census regarding just about everything: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_pa.htm

Tax calculator: https://smartasset.com/taxes/pennsyl...tax-calculator

School tax info: http://www.openpagov.org/school_taxes/sdefault.asp

Farm Fresh meats and produce: http://www.eatwild.com/products/pennsylvania.html and Pick-Your-Own (PYO) fruits and veggies http://www.pickyourown.org/PA.htm Farmers markets: http://www.localfarmmarkets.org/PAfarmmarkets.php