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Old 08-09-2019, 02:49 PM
 
21 posts, read 19,040 times
Reputation: 11

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Hi all, so my husband just got word of a job change. We currently live in Alabama and are moving to Philly. Initially he will be moving there for a few months while we sell our house. What are some good areas with affordable apartments in the area. His job is on Penn Square, he doesn't mind commuting up to 45 mins. So far rent is pretty high, I'm wondering if NJ is a good choice until we move down. If anyone has suggestions for decent apartment I'd appreciate it.

Also, what are some nice suburbs with good schools in the surrounding area. Once our family moves up, he doesn't mind commuting up to an hour tops. I'm a school teacher and would love to get into a good school district. If anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear it. Thanks!

He is look for rent under $900 for a studio or 1 Bdrm
as far as homes are concerned we would need at least a 3bdrm ideally under 350K but we really need a good school district.


When are you moving? Oct, 1
Where are you coming from? Mobile, AL
Why are you moving? Work
Where will you be working? US Army Corp of Engineers
Have you been here yet? No

Will you buy or rent? Rent and eventually buy
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend? Home 350K max
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend? Apt/ studio or 1 bd $950 max
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up? walk up

Do you have a preference of living in a NJ or PA suburb? no Preference
(If you answered NJ - post your answers here: https://www.city-data.com/forum/phila...-philadelphia/)

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married 2 kids
Do you prefer public or private schools? Private but willing to go to good public
Do you have pets? yes 3 dogs
Do you want or need a yard? yes
Are you keeping a car? yes 2
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? calm and quiet

What do you want to be closest to?
Work.... up to 45 mins
Shopping....depends how far
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.) yes
Nightlife... No
Train or subway stations.. yes

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? Families in middle to upper class area

Favorite Beverage - Craft Beer, wine, water? all of thee above

Last edited by maddieb226; 08-09-2019 at 03:18 PM..
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Old 08-09-2019, 02:57 PM
 
Location: East Aurora, NY
744 posts, read 774,507 times
Reputation: 880
What is the rental budget? Apartments in walking distance to work will be pricey but you might be able to find some smaller walkup apartments on spruce or pine st for cheaper on craigslist. Is he planning on taking public transportation to work? New Jersey is a good place to look, just look along the Patco line. Collingswood might have some options. Since he is willing to commute up to 45 minutes he might want to look at apartments in more remote neighborhoods like Mt. Airy. I'm thinking a place like upsal gardens.




For buying a house you should fill out the below list so we know what your preferences and house buying budget are:




https://www.city-data.com/forum/phila...formation.html
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Old 08-09-2019, 02:58 PM
 
1,385 posts, read 909,333 times
Reputation: 2067
Edit your message to include the questionnaire located here with your answers added:

https://www.city-data.com/forum/phila...formation.html

In general, most Philly suburbs are clean and safe with good school districts. Teaching jobs at the top schools can be difficult to find. Budget matters a lot in what you are looking for. If you give more information, you'll get a more informed answer.
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Old 08-09-2019, 03:02 PM
 
21 posts, read 19,040 times
Reputation: 11
Thanks, he would like to stay under $900 a month for a studio or 1 bdrm apartment. Ideally he would use public transportation. if it's safe and convenient.

As far as homes are concerned we have 2 children and 3 dogs. so we are looking for at least a 3-4 bdrm home with a budget around 300-350k if possible. I will fill that out. thanks for the help.
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Old 08-09-2019, 03:10 PM
 
21 posts, read 19,040 times
Reputation: 11
thanks for the reply. Renting would have to be under $900 for a studio or 1 bdrm since we still have a mortgage and home expenses here in AL. He is definitely willing to use public transportation. I teach at an inner city school right now so I'm not really to concerned with working at a top school, I just want to be in a district that my kids can get into a decent school.

We like a suburb that is close to things if that makes sense. Our home budget would be 350K max. Everything seems pretty pricey out there. I'm originally from NY so I get it but living in AL has definitely spoiled us as far as cost of living.
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Old 08-10-2019, 12:45 PM
 
Location: West Philadelphia
75 posts, read 66,632 times
Reputation: 92
I'm thinking you want more than a studio or 1 bedroom for your two kids and three dogs....

Haddonfield or Collingswood in NJ would be a good bet. Decent schools, very close to Philly on the PATCO line.
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Old 08-10-2019, 01:09 PM
 
4,723 posts, read 4,413,722 times
Reputation: 8481
I understood the studio is for husband who is heading out while the family stays behind until house is sold. Only thing I am wondering is if family comes up to house hunt it will be rather tight in a studio.... can you clarify
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Old 08-10-2019, 01:47 PM
 
Location: Mid-Atlantic
32,921 posts, read 36,316,341 times
Reputation: 43748
How old are the children? Are they old enough to attend school?
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Old 08-10-2019, 08:58 PM
 
10,787 posts, read 8,749,363 times
Reputation: 3983
Quote:
Originally Posted by maddieb226 View Post
thanks for the reply. Renting would have to be under $900 for a studio or 1 bdrm since we still have a mortgage and home expenses here in AL. He is definitely willing to use public transportation. I teach at an inner city school right now so I'm not really to concerned with working at a top school, I just want to be in a district that my kids can get into a decent school.

We like a suburb that is close to things if that makes sense. Our home budget would be 350K max. Everything seems pretty pricey out there. I'm originally from NY so I get it but living in AL has definitely spoiled us as far as cost of living.
Yes, COL will bite you as you are learning.

There was another moving inquiry about a week ago with a similar housing budget as yours. There are suburban houses within your budget in decent school districts with not bad commutes.

I have relatives who live in Birmingham so I am familiar with AL
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Old 08-11-2019, 01:34 PM
 
Location: The place where the road & the sky collide
23,813 posts, read 34,657,307 times
Reputation: 10256
Quote:
Originally Posted by maddieb226 View Post
Hi all, so my husband just got word of a job change. We currently live in Alabama and are moving to Philly. Initially he will be moving there for a few months while we sell our house. What are some good areas with affordable apartments in the area. His job is on Penn Square, he doesn't mind commuting up to 45 mins. So far rent is pretty high, I'm wondering if NJ is a good choice until we move down. If anyone has suggestions for decent apartment I'd appreciate it.

Also, what are some nice suburbs with good schools in the surrounding area. Once our family moves up, he doesn't mind commuting up to an hour tops. I'm a school teacher and would love to get into a good school district. If anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear it. Thanks!

He is look for rent under $900 for a studio or 1 Bdrm
as far as homes are concerned we would need at least a 3bdrm ideally under 350K but we really need a good school district.


When are you moving? Oct, 1
Where are you coming from? Mobile, AL
Why are you moving? Work
Where will you be working? US Army Corp of Engineers
Have you been here yet? No

Will you buy or rent? Rent and eventually buy
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend? Home 350K max
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend? Apt/ studio or 1 bd $950 max
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up? walk up

Do you have a preference of living in a NJ or PA suburb? no Preference
(If you answered NJ - post your answers here: https://www.city-data.com/forum/phila...-philadelphia/)

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married 2 kids
Do you prefer public or private schools? Private but willing to go to good public
Do you have pets? yes 3 dogs
Do you want or need a yard? yes
Are you keeping a car? yes 2
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? calm and quiet

What do you want to be closest to?
Work.... up to 45 mins
Shopping....depends how far
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.) yes
Nightlife... No
Train or subway stations.. yes

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? Families in middle to upper class area

Favorite Beverage - Craft Beer, wine, water? all of thee above
He might want to look for apartments in Maple Shade and Barrington as well as along the PATCO line in South Jersey. (Don't look beyond the Ashland station for the apartment.) Those towns are not far from the train line but should be somewhat cheaper because they are not on the train line. Merchantville might or might not have something, but they probably would be apartments in a subdivided house rather than an apartment building.
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