https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 12 May 2026 22:33:22 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-is-it-raising-kids-around-philly#post-1361161 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 11:04:27 +0000 danda 1361161@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I suspect the commute from NJ is shorter (although it's counter-intuitive) because I-76 coming in from the Western suburbs is so backed up and there isn't a good highway to go directly north/south (95 won't take you near Abington/Willow Grove area). For trains (SEPTA for PA suburbs or PATCO for NJ), look at the cost of a monthly pass, not the regular round-trip cost. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-is-it-raising-kids-around-philly#post-1361138 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 10:57:42 +0000 spaniellove 1361138@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Maysprout: We don't really think about the difference in taxes now that we've moved...we know people in PA who are paying comparable taxes on smaller properties. Generally Camden County (so Cherry Hill, Voorhees, and closer to CC) will have higher taxes while other counties will have slightly lower taxes and often newer homes. Our reasoning for choosing this area was that I grew up in California, and I found more of that feeling out here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-is-it-raising-kids-around-philly#post-1361084 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 10:36:01 +0000 bisous 1361084@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Maysprout: I am from Delaware County, near the border to Montco. There are also lots of places to live with easy access to the regional rail/high speed lines around here, too. Springfield, Havertown, Ardmore, Media are all towns that come to mind. I think Regional Rail from this area is around $8-9 r/t. Not sure about high speed line. </p> <p>Schools are good in this area, but taxes are high-ish. Though it's more affordable than the Main Line! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-is-it-raising-kids-around-philly#post-1361046 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 10:25:50 +0000 Chillybear 1361046@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Maysprout: I grew up in voorhees, NJ and my mom commutes via PATCO everyday into center city, I think a round trip ticket is about $4 and bridge tolls to drive are $5. Another consideration for south jersey is a few of the towns like cherry hill have high taxes but there are some that dont like Mt laurel and marlton. I currently live just north of the city in Abington, PA right near the Willow Grove mall. we bought our home 4 years ago and found that the area had great schools, reasonable taxes and affordable homes in our price range. on our street theres a regional rail line that goes right into center city (i think that might be closer to $11 round trip) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-is-it-raising-kids-around-philly#post-1361030 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 10:18:52 +0000 Jenn23 1361030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kbm1026: I'm right near you in Chester Springs. I worked in Paoli until I had my son (now SAHM). Love Malvern and Paoli area!</p> <p>Lots of great suburbs as previously mentioned. We're a little further out from the city, but we love this area. West Chester is awesome and Exton and the school districts right in our area are amazing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-is-it-raising-kids-around-philly#post-1361018 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 10:14:03 +0000 Maysprout 1361018@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gilmoregirl: @spaniellove: @gilmoregirl: @autumn865: For those of you who live in NJ and commute into Philly does it add a lot to the cost to live in NJ? I guess I was assuming since there's bridge tolls and higher taxes it would be more expensive but a lot of the people who DH would work with live in NJ too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-is-it-raising-kids-around-philly#post-1360801 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 08:39:50 +0000 gilmoregirl 1360801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: I really loved how walkable everything was -- my parents still live there and walk for so many things. It does seem like it's becoming popular with families who want to move out of the city but still have some city-like aspects. And the Collingswood farmer's market will always be my favorite -- I haven't found anything nearly as good where I am now. It's a great little town and I'm glad you like it too :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-is-it-raising-kids-around-philly#post-1360520 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 23:36:54 +0000 spaniellove 1360520@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gilmoregirl: Love Collingswood and the restaurants and farmers market! Going to the farmers market every weekend has been one of our traditions since we left the city. It's not the same as Headhouse, but there are so many young families and cute dogs and great music :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-is-it-raising-kids-around-philly#post-1360514 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 23:33:35 +0000 Mrs Bicycle 1360514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also, Media is a great place to live. Tiny little family town. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-is-it-raising-kids-around-philly#post-1360512 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 23:32:03 +0000 Mrs Bicycle 1360512@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We live in the city and love it! Our little girl is only 4 months old but I love taking her for walks to the parks and out to restaurants. The food here is amazing. We will probably move outside of the city once she is school age but right now it's super fun having a baby in the city. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-is-it-raising-kids-around-philly#post-1360462 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 22:49:36 +0000 StrawberryBee 1360462@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Tidybee: @maybebaby: @Cupcake: nice! I know @danda: knows about it already, but for those of you still in the area there's a King of Prussia meetup discussion in progress in another thread ^_^.</p> <p>@Maysprout: maybe you need to do some investigative work and come join us at the very big, very posh mall ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-is-it-raising-kids-around-philly#post-1360247 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 21:04:45 +0000 Cupcake 1360247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I live in Montco! We've been here for 3 years and love it :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-is-it-raising-kids-around-philly#post-1360087 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 19:43:53 +0000 maybebaby 1360087@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Tidybee: a fellow montocoer here! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-is-it-raising-kids-around-philly#post-1360086 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 19:43:23 +0000 maybebaby 1360086@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I grew up in a suburb of Philly (15-20 minute train ride in) and loved it. I wish we could raise our kids there! We feequeny went on trips to DC or New York. So many museums, aquariums, parks, etc. I have such find memories of my childhood! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-is-it-raising-kids-around-philly#post-1360011 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 19:02:59 +0000 Tidybee 1360011@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@danda: @StrawberryBee: I grew up in Montco.<br /> Both DH and I are from Philly suburbs. I have a lot of high school friends who live in the area with kids. We wanted to move back but DH's job has kept us from doing so, but we're hoping to move back eventually as both of our families are there. As previous posts have said, growing up in the philly suburbs has been great and there are a lot of good options for schools but with the excitement of the city at your fingertips...or at the end of an eternally jammed 76 East. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-is-it-raising-kids-around-philly#post-1359958 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 18:19:05 +0000 StrawberryBee 1359958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@danda: ahhh, we're in mont co too ^_^.</p> <p>Also in the burbs, I've lived here since I was 10. I love the history, and being able to do something 'country' or something 'city' depending on what you're interested in. We could take a quick train ride and go to Independence Hall (or the please touch museum; I haven't been yet since LO is only 5 months old, but I've heard it's awesome!), Franklin Institute, museums, zoos, or head off to the west and visit French Creek State Park, Hopewell Furnace, the Crayola Factory, the Poconos mountains, etc. If you want to go down the shore (yes, down, not to!) NJ is nearby. If you want to go to NYC, that's totally doable as a weekend trip.</p> <p>I personally love the location we're in right now; so close to some excellent shopping (Wegmans, Trader Joes, Target, Whole Foods) and in a good school district (North Penn). Or so I hear ;). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-is-it-raising-kids-around-philly#post-1359930 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 17:48:39 +0000 gilmoregirl 1359930@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Gonna echo the recommendations for South Jersey and PATCO :) I used to live in Collingswood (we're in central PA now) and took PATCO to my job in Center City -- super convenient and not far at all. Collingswood is adorable and the schools are fine. </p> <p>Philly's really not that dangerous especially if you are smart about it and stick to the most well-traveled areas, but if you're not a city person, I think there's plenty to do in the area that doesn't involve going into the city at all. </p> <p>I would definitely recommend living on/near a rail line so that you can take the train into the city, especially if your husband's job is in Center City. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-is-it-raising-kids-around-philly#post-1359844 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 16:46:56 +0000 spaniellove 1359844@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I live in South Jersey, about 30 minutes outside Center City. We lived in CC for several years and DH still commutes to the city every day by PATCO. He gets to experience the city every day but out here it's very suburban and life is centered around families. And if by downtown/Center City you mean the general financial/commercial district, it's relatively high end and not like North Philly. After LO is born I plan to bring him back into the city to see DH during the day and get some exposure to the museums and culture! </p> <p>@night cheese: We can't be that far from each other. We should get together sometime! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-is-it-raising-kids-around-philly#post-1359840 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 16:39:58 +0000 night cheese 1359840@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I live in South Jersey. It's about a 20-25 minute commute to Center City by car but if you live by the PATCO speedline like I do, he can be downtown in about the same time and not have to find and pay for parking.</p> <p>There are some really nice parts of South Jersey - Haddonfield and Cherry Hill have the best schools but Collingswood, Haddon Heights, Moorestown, and some other towns are really nice too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-is-it-raising-kids-around-philly#post-1359824 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 16:25:32 +0000 danda 1359824@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We love the Philly area. DH and I met when we lived downtown, but now live in the western suburbs (Montgomery County) because of my commute. Center City Philadelphia is great and fairly safe...you just have to use some common sense. Some of the parts outside of downtown are pretty dangerous (North Philadelphia especially). In terms of suburbs, there are some that have higher crime rates, like Norristown and Upper Darby. But they are mostly really nice, and many have that town center feel to them. I'd recommend that you try to live near a train line for your husbands commute as traffic can get crazy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-is-it-raising-kids-around-philly#post-1359819 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 16:23:35 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1359819@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Innnnn west Philadelphia born and raised... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-is-it-raising-kids-around-philly#post-1359805 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 16:06:04 +0000 kbm1026 1359805@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I live in Paoli and my husband commutes to Philly and it's great! Were in one of the best school districts and it's a nice safe town close to both the city and great parks, shopping, wegmans and whole foods. We used to live in the city but I think it's easier with kids in the suburbs! Wall me for information on particular towns on the main line or malvern, or questions about the area generally! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-is-it-raising-kids-around-philly#post-1359768 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 15:44:18 +0000 Maysprout 1359768@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bisous: @lioneyes: @PurplePeony: Glad you guys liked it. People we've talked to who have lived around the area all seem to like it too. </p> <p>I'm having trouble though because when I visited there just seemed like there were so many dangerous parts, and when I start googling towns to live in horrible news comes up about murders and home invasions and it just seems like it comes up more for Philly then it does for other places. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-is-it-raising-kids-around-philly#post-1359732 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 14:56:10 +0000 lioneyes 1359732@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm from there originally. It's a great city with an awesome downtown that still feels manageable (i.e. much less stressful to live in/visit than NYC for ex.) there are many neighborhoods still in the city limits that are older and beautiful and still feel suburban, less than a 20 min drive/train ride to downtown. But, you still have to deal w/ the city school and city wage tax. Western suburbs (Main Line) have great schools but high taxes, very old and beautiful. Northern suburbs (Elkins Park, Abington) are more affordable, good schools, longer commute.</p> <p>Wall me if you want more info! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-is-it-raising-kids-around-philly#post-1359637 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 13:25:18 +0000 PurplePeony 1359637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't have kids when I lived in Philly, but most of my friends who still live there do. The public schools in the city are a mess, so our friends who live in Center City all send their kids to private schools. The urban parks (Rittenhouse, Washington Square, etc) are great places for meeting up with kids, though!</p> <p>But since you're not keen to live downtown, most of my knowledge of the 'burbs is the Main Line (a dozen or so towns along the rail line west of the city) and the Doylestown area (45 minutes to an hour north of the city). The Main Line is awesome but relatively expensive -- I went to one of the colleges there and lived a couple towns away from my college for a few years after I graduated. Nice houses, good schools (and correspondingly, fairly high property taxes) but you can find some nice apartments, too, if you're looking to rent. I don't remember there being many playgrounds or parks for little ones, but I also wasn't looking for them at the time. Most of the towns have the "old-school suburb" feel, like a smallish town with shops, a library, etc as opposed to a "modern" suburb with housing developments and a strip mall with a Petco and Super Target. If we had stayed in the Philly area, we'd have ended up buying in one of these towns. The commute to Center City isn't too bad and you're not far from most of the fun things Bisous mentioned.</p> <p>Doylestown is probably a bit far if you or your hubby need to commute downtown -- I did it briefly and it pretty much sucked.</p> <p>I hope some other Philly bees can chime in. I kind of miss Philly, I was pretty over it by the time we moved but it definitely has it's charms. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-is-it-raising-kids-around-philly#post-1359454 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 11:08:44 +0000 autumn865 1359454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We live in NJ about a 15 minute drive into Philly. My DH worked in the city for a year commuting by train and then commuted by car to Temple for 4 years of dental school. We bought a house here and like it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-is-it-raising-kids-around-philly#post-1359453 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 11:08:30 +0000 bisous 1359453@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Maysprout: I only have a 7.5 month old, but I think living in the 'burbs of Philly is great. The schools are good. We live in an area where we can easily get to the city--and though we haven't taken advantage of all of them yet, there are so many cool kid-friendly places, between the zoo, the Please Touch Museum, the Franklin Institute, the Constitution Center. </p> <p>I have lived her all my life and I am excited to raise my kids here. Definitely a place with a lot of personality. If you have any questions, wall me! Happy to share my experiences and thoughts as a local! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-is-it-raising-kids-around-philly#post-1359411 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 10:36:22 +0000 Maysprout 1359411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're going to have to move soon and one of the places on the list is Philly. DH would work downtown but we'd probably live in the suburbs. I'm really not a city person so I'm not really loving the idea.<br /> Tell me the good and bad of living and raising kids around the Philly area. </p>