ruth

I know I will probably get slammed for posting here...as was the last Pittsburgh relo person...but this forum is by far the best place to get knowledge of an area!

Our friends are taking a job in Phila. and he will be working near/next to Univ. of PA.

They have three kids , elem./middle/high school ages and he would like to train it into the city as he has spent the last four years driving into Silicon Valley (1/1/2 hours each way) and is TIRED of the commute...despite a lovely place to live in northern CA!

Having looked at the map, it seems that there are many places west of Phila. that are on the train line.

Any particular "rah'rah's" for small, safe towns in which to raise a family? They plan to send kids to catholic schools.

Many thanks and no slams , please!

jhm

No slams here. Philly is a fabulous city.

Chestnut Hill is lovely, as is Bala Cynwyd. I'm not too familiar with the train system, but I know that these areas are fairly easy to commute to/from.

lp

My husband's company relocated us from NC four years ago to Doylestown, PA...(Bucks County). I thought it would be miserable.....four years later I am happy to say that it is a wonderful community and a wonderful place to raise children...great schools and very safe. There are plenty of train stations into the city in the Bucks County area. Have your friend look into the it...it is beautiful. Be aware that housing is a bit expensive though.

Larry

Another vote for central bucks county!! Doylestown/Chalfont/New Britan are great communities (although starting to get congested). I went to high school in Doylestown- nice place, good school, great athletics (ranked near the top nationally for football every year).

Heather

Hi Ruth,
I went to school in the Philly suburbs and I must admit it is only since then that I have spent any quaility time downtown, but Philly is a great little city, and nice suburbs are an easy escape by train.
I second the post on Bala Cynwd- in fact the whole "main" line of towns that run out west are great: Haverford, Bryn Mawr, Wynnewood, Narberth, etc. They are expensive, though- I odn't know waht your friend's price range is.
Good Luck!

Diane

If you like the shore, you might want to look east to Haddonfield,NJ. A charming old town probably within 1/2 hour(guessing here) driving or train to Penn.

Erin

I must suggest Abington Township, Montgomery County. It's closer to the city than Bucks County and commuting is OK--bus and subway and/or train. There are many convenient train stations in the area. There are excellent public and private schools in the area.

xxx

Coming from the Silicon Valley (the most expensive real estate in the US), I'm sure your friends won't be faced with sticker shock over the prices in the Philadelphia area.

Monique

I have to agree with most of the responses the Doylestown /Chalfont/ New Hope areas are all very nice. Charming in their own way not too big and not too small. My husband and I lived there for 3 years and really enjoyed it! The only reason we left was because my husband got stationed in California. The commute isn't bad either. A lot better than CA. But it is a little pricey but after living in CA your friend probably won't really see much of a difference.

jso

Havertown area (Delaware County) may be just what you're looking for: excellent community, v convenient to train/mass transit (MANY commute to the UoP area) AND major highways, multiple Catholic schools AND excellent public schools, quality public library system. many other excellent towns/communities to choose from as well. best of luck. jso

kelly

The areas you mentioned (running west of the city)are VERY nice. They are older communities that are pricey. As mentioned before, coming from Caif. this will probably be no problem for your friends.

There MANY new houses in communities further from the city (but still reasonable commutes to Philly). They may even offer more land. This type of housing will even possibly give you the choice on the trimmings you want in your house. (if you buy when being built)

If you friend is tired of long commutes then I would say that New Hope in Bucks County (though very lovely) is pushing the envelope on commute time.

Doylestown??...How long does it take to go to the city and then change trains in center city to get to the western part of town for the UofP?

Hopefully someone else can give you an idea as to where the perimeter of...let's say...45 minute commute out of U of P will get you.

Judy

The Chalfont/Doylestown area is nice -- I have a relative who lives there. However, I made the commute from there to the Univ of Pennsylvania by train a few times last summer and although the train was very comfortable, I found the commute to be a bit long for my taste. (Of course, maybe I'm spoiled -- my current commute to work is 3 miles.) You can take the R5 Septa train from Doylestown, New Britain, or Chalfont to 30th Street station, and then take a local subway to U of P or walk over. The R5 train takes 1 hour and 15 minutes from Doylestown to 30th Street. (It's somewhat less from New Britain or Chalfont).

KC

I have lived all over the area from Philadelphia (went to U of P) to Bucks County to the Main Line area to Montgomery County. My favorite area is Central Bucks County (my current home). It is getting to be more populated, but is not nearly as congested as some of the Main Line areas around the city (ie Bala Cynwd, Merion, Narbreth, Ardmore) although all of these areas are lovely. The public schools are also wonderful in Bucks County, and I know that there are many Catholic and private schools as well.

jim

You may want to consider Chester County -- the West Chester area. There are several train stations there that are convenient to Phila.
Chester County is the fastest-growing county in Pa., mainly because most of the schoool systems there are good and you can still get a house with some land without selling your first-born into slavery.
It's just a consideration, and an alternative to the other recommendations.

btilke

Since you'll be working in Philly, you'll be paying the city wage tax...might as well live in the city, too. I recommend checking out the Chestnut Hill area. Has a village feel, much like some of the communities on the Main Line. Some beautiful homes and the main street (Germantown Ave) is full of interesting shops and restaurants. The neighborhood also has its own newspaper, The Chestnut Hill Local. Housing isn't cheap, but there are some affordable houses there, including some nice townhouses. Chestnut Hill also is served by two train lines, Chestnut Hill East and West. Both stop in 30th Street Station (the station your friend will get off at to get to the Penn area). The ride is about 30 minutes. Once you get out to Chester County (we lived in Exton as well as Chestnut Hill) or upper Bucks County, the train commute is longer and if there's a problem with the trains (common in winter), then you're stuck (in Chestnut Hill, at least, you can always take a bus back; not as comfortable or fast as the train, but you won't have to drive!).
Btilke