When you are preparing to relocate to the Philadelphia area, as I did four years ago, determining where to live is the first hurdle. I originally thought only of the heart of the city. Being very unfamiliar with the region, I asked co-workers and friends for recommendations, I got a lot of fragments of info. The metro area is a little complex and to add to it some will suggest Delaware and New Jersey communities. So, first, you'll need to know that you indeed are only looking at one state or the other. If you are only going to consider Pennsylvania (either because of proximity to a place of work or info you've discovered regarding property taxes, commuter options, traffic patterns,community life, natural setting, weekend life, shopping and services, places of worship, school systems, etc.) then here is the overview of the City of Philadelphia and it's surrounding communities that you have been seeking. The City of Philadelphia was founded in 1682, hence, it still has the large amount of housing stock that is the oldest in the country. When I was considering purchasing a home in the City of Philadelphia I began my search in Center City and the lines quickly blurred into adjacent neighborhoods of Graduate Hospital, Bella Vista, Greys Ferry, Art Museum, Fairmount Park, Brewery Town, Manayuck, East Falls, Roxborough, Chestnut Hill, Germantown, Overbrook, Mt. Airy, and South Philadelphia. Of course, there is Society Hill and Rittenhouse Square...but these never made the list for my price range. In each of the neighborhoods closest to Center City I found an abundance of renovated row homes some very fancy with rooftop decks and attached garages. Many that I absolutely loved. However, I was not used to the often very narrow, sometimes too dark streets, limited street parking and some still very transitional blocks. Ultimately, I did not want to deal with the parking obstacles and the deal breaker, homes without exterior access to the rear. Having lived in three other cities I had always had the ability to "come in through the back" this was not the case with many of the South Philadelphia, Greys Ferry, and Graduate Hospital homes that I toured..."Deal Breaker" for me. I did have an interest in many of the homes in Chestnut Hill, Mt Airy, Overbrook, Wynnefield Heights, and Germantown...a few singles and a number of twins stayed on the list as I took my search to the Philadelphia Mainline. So, someone try to explain the "Mainline" to me? I decided it was best to research it on the internet. So, you too can read about the Mainline on Wikipedia. This search ultimately took me to visit, briefly, a few communities in Montgomery County and more extensively in Delaware County. (I did not search Chester County or Bucks County, but they too have good proximity to Philadelphia). I bought my home in Delaware County. Since living here, I have learned the various townships and boroughs and come to love it. Each of the communities is different. Many people try to categorize counties in one way, but that really cannot be done. It takes some research and soul searching to know where to live...and each of us as varying reasons unique to us. A lot of what exists in one County exists in the others within the various townships and specific boroughs, you just need someone who is knowledgeable to present the options for you. As a Pennsylvania Real Estate professional, I now have pleasure to showing clients all of these locations each and every day. When you need to find your place, call me at (610) 565-1995 so I can get you started with pricing and other info. Good luck with your move to South Eastern PA!!!
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