Moving to Philly, any input GREATLy appreciated!

Dr. Mudd said:
Fudo, you just don't understand. Most smaller places out West (and down South) just don't have any "culture" ... or what passes for culture in some other places. :D
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We're near Texas. They advertise that Texas is "like a whole other country." We have an International airport- (flights to Dallas):D
 
Dr. Mudd said:
RDT, let me see if I have this straight now. You want to move "to the nearest big city" and you're telling me you have the safety of your children (and presumably your pregnant wife) in mind? :eek:
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Do you live there?

Been here several days and I must say this city is completely different from when I was here 12 years ago. It's cleaned up significantly! The people have been very good to us so far. The South side is kickin' with night life and development. The property value has grown immensely and it is a perfect place to invest in. Yuppies everywhere making a lot of money (my wife was offered a 6 figure salary).

Today we visit the Burbs to see our favorite listings to compare to the city.

The only bad areas we saw were driving from DE(my inlaws) through Chester and the water front area where it looked like ghost towns and run down shanty's.

Otherwise it's been safer than where we live in Brooklyn.

As far as culture is concerned, between the architecture of City hall and the Grand Lodge of F&AM, the Museum and the Avenue of the Arts down into South street, etc, there's plenty of diversity and various cultures. We've enjoyed the food and the people so far and I'm shocked that people have a low opinion of the city?

Chester...sure didn't look like a place where anyone is raised...I'm sure there are plenty of other areas. The thing is, there are many Counties. towns and boroughs surrounding Philly that I think are what give it a bad name.

Have only seen a handful of Homeless in the city as well.

4th of July is big in NYC but not much closes. In Philly, most businesses were closed and there were many dress re-enactments of the signing of the declaration. A lot of Ben Franklin & William Penn worship, etc.

Reminds us a lot of NYC. But much smaller.

So far so good. We delat with a couple RE agents and so far they've sucked though. They just didn't want to work hard for their comission, one even tried to take advantage of us...screw that. But, we have someone now who's working hard for her money and today we've got around 10 places to see.

Tomorrow, hopefully 10 more and maybe a few on Saturday.
 
Just stuffed myself at Singapore Veg and had desert at Govindas....soooo good!

We saw some great stuff much like the Bay Ridge shore road area of Brooklyn in Fox Chase and out in/around Abington also.

Mt Airy is a dump! Amazing houses but large criminal element and run down businesses all around.

More Fox Chase tomorrow and some Abington and Castor Gardens. Looks like the North East and Far North East are the places to be though the prices are slightly higher. Taxes are medium to high.

We fell in love with the outside of one place in Fox Chase. Was exactly what we wanted and right next to Burholme park and upon arrival we find out it was under contract! Grrrrr!
 
FINALLY! after all this time we are moving this week to Willow Grove PA! 30 Mins from Philly. Some of the best school districts in the state! Great property values.... so far cant complain. Only 1 hr 30 mins to Brooklyn!

What a dreadful search!

Thanks!
R
 
Cheers. I'm in Philly and love it, and I'm also a transplant from NYC (Queens). A buddy of mine is out in Willow Grove, and he likes it out there.

Good luck with the move! PM me if you're interested in hearing some recommendations for good places to grab a beer.
 
chasden, thans bro! Queens huh? How lonbg have you been down in Philly. You and I know, it's a whole different ballgame mooney wise down there. A lot of great potential in the RE market!!!

That's the next step, to get some property of our own! and maybe something extra to rent or flip.

New Yorkers are moving down all the time.... the City offers all the comforts of home.;)
 
Hey, Rich. I've been in Philly since 2005, and I haven't looked back. Philadelphia--except for draconian knife laws--has everything you need in a big city. And yeah you're 100% right about how real estate plays out here. It's actually affordable. What a concept. In NYC you're just priced out. I've known people that would work in Manhattan, but live in Philadelphia--sounds crazy but since the New York salaries are better, it's still worth their while to buy a nice rowhouse or condo in Center City and take Amtrak into NYC, which is only about a hour commute.

Anyways, again, good luck with the move, and once you get settled I'd love to throw some business your way.
 
Yup! I've met people that do that as well. Since we've been going down to Philly we met plenty of old New Yorkers there....

When my wife goes back into the workforce she will probably start off in NY and commute. Me, I work from home so I can live almost anywhere...

So fill me in on the knife laws? better or worse than NYC? Thank goodness PA gun laws are better....

Bro, whenever you're ready hit me up. I should be up and running full speed by October 1st. Making some additions to my shop tools and trimming down the fat, getting rid and making space for more needed knifemaking stuff.

Just tossed 3 old machines that havent seen work in 6 years...LOL

Take care and thanks
Rich
derespinaknives@yahoo.com
 
I am in King of Prussia. It's nice around here and about 20 minutes from Philly (well........depending on traffic)
 
Ahh yes, we only found one house in KOP but out of our price range. Nice place though!

Chasden, HOLY SH*T! Those are some crazy laws. What it implies is damn near terrifying!

Good thing I didnt move to Philly. Although we were looing on the South side....had a few blasts there! Just like NYC pretty much.... felt like home just cheaper....

Shoot, so I can carry a gun but not a Knife? knuckleheads....

ehhh, I carry knives no matter what or where.... As long as I dont have metal detectors to go thru...LOL
 
RDT said:
Thanks guys! Much obliged. We are looking at places in the following:
Norristown
Drexel Hill
Lansdowne

and a few other places I can't remember.

What do ya think?
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I live in Drexel Hill. Its part of a suburb called Upper Darby. We moved here recently to get into a better school district for my lil bro. After elementary school, Philly public SUCKS! Its a wonderful area. Fairly diverse, good access to public transportation, getting you to 69th Street terminal which is the local hub(from there you practically have access to half the city, heck you can even get to Doylestown which is 2.5 hours drive north of us) the school system is great(In fact, Drexel Hill Middle School is supposed to be one of the best middle school's in the state if there boasting is correct!) Norristown is further from me, and I know little about it except that a train called the Route 100 runs there to and from 69th Street, so you have access to downtown(known as Center City or Old City here) which is where all the history and museums are. Lansdowne(at least part of it) is right next door to Drexel Hill and Upper Darby. Its a similar area, just a different school district. Probably a little less diverse.

Feel free to email me at m16a16@verizon.net if you have more questions about the area(particularly Drexel Hill, since I live here:thumbup:)

Good luck in the search, hope you find a wonderful place to live!

m16a



EDIT: I should add that, PA's knife laws will allow blades as long as it is "non offensive" and "not opened with the assistance of any mechanism, spring or otherwise or exposed using the flick of the wrist or any other gravity utilizing method"

Upper Darby is stricter, they say no carry at all. Assuming you are a good law abiding citizen(lol) that won't stop you, just don't be whipping out a blade with the police around and try to be fairly discreet with carry
 
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m16a.
We loved Drexel Hill and Upper Darby as well as parts of Lansdowne and Havertown. All really nice areas and the RE market is prime for buying quality property over there!

We are renting to start and see whether we like it here. If after a year it's all we want, then we will buy. Places we narrowed it down to are:
Drexel Hill
Upper Darby
Havertown
Springfield
Lansdowne
Ridley Park
Media
South Philadelphia

The on the other side
Fox Chase
Abington
Willow Grove
Jenkintown
Cheltenham
Elkins Park
Glenside
Horsham

We spent a little time in those places looking for a house to rent. Initially we were set to buy but after seeing so much we decided to just rent to start so we arent attached to anything should we wanna leave for any reason.

The house we have now, is friggin awesome.... very suburban area with all the amenities near by and the PATP is about 8 blocks away! 1hr 31 mins to Brooklyn too! But the house looks like a log cabin on the inside and a stucco and brick on the outside. Plus a 1/2 acre for the kids to play in. In comparisson to twice the rent in Brooklyn and about 10 ft of back yard...LOL
 
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