This is going to sound like a sitcom, but we're considering it

**thinkinphilly** · 01-10-2011, 02:42 PM

I'm originally from Omaha and my wife is originally from suburban Detroit. We moved from Omaha to Detroit in 2008 and are now seriously considering moving to the Philadelphia area. I never thought I'd leave Nebraska but in 2008 I had a chance to start a company. It didn't work out and I now sell AFLAC insurance. My wife is an attorney. Thus, we can live anywhere. We are considering moving because there is an educational program that would help our 9 year old son who has Aspburgers Syndrome, a form of autism. He's a cool kid but just needs some help in school.

Anyway, I lived in Omaha for my whole life until 2008, and living in suburban Detroit isn't really that different. Suburbs are suburbs.

Now that we are looking at Philadelphia it seems to be really different from either Omaha or Detroit. That doesn't scare me at all as I have found that larger cities are infinitely better than smaller ones. I've enjoyed living in Detroit, with the exception of the economy. It's very depressing here and the thought of moving, for whatever reason, makes me want to say to my wife "Let's just go and leave our stuff. We can get new stuff in Philly".

I've never been to Philadelphia and all I know is the sports teams and the Liberty Bell. We've begun looking at different areas on the web and Northeast is one area that looks appealing. One of the possible schools is there in the Rhawnhurst area. Another is Cherry Hill, NJ.

So, first things first. Give me a reason not to move to Philadelphia. Give me your best reason to move. You can't use Detroit's economy. I already did.
Second, given that my wife will probably be working downtown, center city, whatever, how is it for a lone female to use mass transit to get downtown? Yes I'm serious.
Third, our kids like to be outside and we have always had a yard and a park nearby. From what little I've seen of Rhawnhurst there don't seem to be many houses with much of a yard and I don't see a lot of parks. Am I wrong?
Next, what's the cost of living situation? What new expenses can I expect that I haven't seen in Nebraska or Michigan?

That's about it for now. There will be more. We don't have a timetable, though moving before next fall is not out of the question. We can also move next week if we have to.
It all depends.

Thanks
__________________________________________________ ________________________
When are you moving? Sometime in 2011
Where are you coming from? Metro Detroit
Why are you moving? Are you kidding? We currently live in Michigan. It’s depressing
Where will you be working? Husband-all over the region. I’m with AFLAC. Wife-downtown (attorney)
Have you been here yet? NO

Will you buy or rent? Probably rent first, then buy when we know what we want.
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend? Around $350K or so
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend? Under $3K
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up? House

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married, 2 kids, daughter is 11, son is 9
Do you prefer public or private schools? Private
Do you have pets? no
Do you want or need a yard? If at all possible, if not, a close park
Are you keeping a car? YES, 2
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? From what I’ve read, I’d like to be near if not in the action

What do you want to be closest to? Not sure
Work- all over
Shopping Wife will find it
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.) closer the better
Nightlife With 2 kids? What is that?
Train or subway stations Dont know. Never used it before

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? Coming from Detroit, we can handle all the diversity you can dish out.

**Sycamore** · 01-10-2011, 02:59 PM

Attorney jobs aren't exactly growing on trees in this recession. Unless she has a Harvard degree, or a great book, I wouldn't expect it to be easy for her to find work as an attorney. We have attorneys applying for paralegal jobs at my firm (and not getting them).

**eldondre** · 01-10-2011, 03:42 PM

provided your wife finds work, it sounds like your child shoudl determine where you live. there are places both in the city and its suburbs that would fit your needs.
reason to move: philly is a lower cost option on the east coast with a big city economy and cultural attractions (I'm lumping in sports with culture). we have a decent train and subway system and a vibrant nightlife downtown.
reason not to move: the city itself doesn't have a particularly strong economy despite its recent gains as an attractive place to live. reverse commuting is very common.
side note: coming from MI, our weather will seems downright moderate most winters.

**ShoshTrvls** · 01-10-2011, 03:53 PM

I know a little bit (very little) about how the various school districts in the region handle special needs/IDEA kids. While I'm usually adverse to suggesting that anyone who wants to move to Philly live in So.NJ, I think your son will have better options there. I've heard very good things, in particular, about what Moorestown has to offer.

While most of the housing there is above your price range, you may want to both check out what the school district has to offer and see what kind of housing you can find there.

**ArcticSplash** · 01-10-2011, 04:02 PM

Here's a reason... living in the city, you will have to pay close to a 4% Wage Tax. The only upside to paying this tax is that you can write it off your Federal as an offset.

As far as Rhawnhurst goes, this is a stable section of the city, bordered by one that has gone downhill (Oxford Circle, just below it). Detroit has a variety of suburbs just like Philadelphia has. We have everything from the depressed suburb (places like Norristown and Chester), and super-uber rich people suburbs (places like Lower Merion, Malvern, etc).

You are coming from Detroit, so actually... heh this is great.... you will actually discover most of Philadelphia is a big improvement over Detroit.

As far as your wife riding on public transit? SEPTA is a safe system. There's plenty of parts of SEPTA your wife probably wouldn't like, but the subways here are fine. Regional Rail is what the suburbanites in Philadelphia prefer to use to get between the suburbs and Center City---and Regional Rail is just like the old fashioned train: there's paper tickets and conductors.

**LUCas** · 01-10-2011, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by MayfairMeat

Here's a reason... living in the city, you will have to pay close to a 4% Wage Tax. The only upside to paying this tax is that you can write it off your Federal as an offset.

Unless you get hit by AMT.

**ArcticSplash** · 01-10-2011, 04:05 PM

Suburb suggestion... if you want to pay moderate house prices, look at Eastern Delaware County, especially Upper Darby, Prospect Park, Ridley Park, etc. You should check and see if there are any special-needs schools that you could utilize in Delaware County that fit the bill. Media, PA is also a very awesome suburb for couples who are split between work in the city and the suburbs---it has good SEPTA access so your wife can easily commute to the city, good airport access and is cheaper than Cherry Hill, Moorestown and the Main Line.

**ArcticSplash** · 01-10-2011, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by LUCas

Unless you get hit by AMT.

Very true. I forgot... couples are more likely to get hit with that, especially if one of them is a high earner.

**OldMama** · 01-10-2011, 05:56 PM

Do you have a particular school in mind for your son? If we knew where it was we might be more helpful.

**BarryG** · 01-10-2011, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by thinkinphilly

Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? From what I’ve read, I’d like to be near if not in the action

Rhawnhurst is not quite the suburbs, but as far as being "in the action" and experiencing the change of pace a bigger city has to offer, it may as well be. Parts of Cherry Hill are closer to downtown (but that definitely fits the "suburbs are suburbs" mold, you'll get more Philly charm in Rhawnhurst). You won't find a house with parking and near a nice park for $3k downtown, but you could probably rent a nice condo with a parking spot near a nice park for just a little more than that. Might be worth it just to be "in the action" and scope things out for 6-12 months, and it will definitely be a different experience than living in Omaha or Detroit suburbs. Driving to Cherry Hill from downtown to drop the kid off would not be too bad.

**ShoshTrvls** · 01-10-2011, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by BarryG

Rhawnhurst is not quite the suburbs, but as far as being "in the action" and experiencing the change of pace a bigger city has to offer, it may as well be. Parts of Cherry Hill are closer to downtown (but that definitely fits the "suburbs are suburbs" mold, you'll get more Philly charm in Rhawnhurst). You won't find a house with parking and near a nice park for $3k downtown, but you could probably rent a nice condo with a parking spot near a nice park for just a little more than that. Might be worth it just to be "in the action" and scope things out for 6-12 months, and it will definitely be a different experience than living in Omaha or Detroit suburbs. Driving to Cherry Hill from downtown to drop the kid off would not be too bad.

Except that, for anyone with a special needs kid, the Philadelphia School District is NOT where you want to be.

**Seanibus** · 01-10-2011, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by ShoshTrvls

Except that, for anyone with a special needs kid, the Philadelphia School District is NOT where you want to be.

I don't think you mean to limit the "not where you want to be" to kids with special needs.

**ACG** · 01-10-2011, 10:37 PM

Considering that you and your wife can move anywhere, I would suggest researching schools and programs to best serve your son and let that guide you to where you move. Good luck wherever you end up.

**borntochill** · 01-10-2011, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by ShoshTrvls

Except that, for anyone with a special needs kid, the Philadelphia School District is NOT where you want to be.

<????>

The original poster said:

Do you prefer public or private schools? Private

**borntochill** · 01-10-2011, 11:27 PM

Originally Posted by MayfairMeat

Here's a reason... living in the city, you will have to pay close to a 4% Wage Tax. The only upside to paying this tax is that you can write it off your Federal as an offset.

PA state income tax is 3% and Philadelphia property taxes are very low compared to the nicer burbs. NJ property taxes are among the highest in the country. When it comes time to buy, if you intend to send your kids to private school anyway, you may find our home prices and total city/state taxes to be a relative bargain even with the local wage tax compared to the 'burbs/NJ.

What I have seen of Rhawnhurst (and I'll admit I haven't spent enough time there to speak with any authority) is a post-WWII neighborhood, not especially walkable, with car-oriented business strips, nearby big box stores, and little in the way of destination dining. Nearby Pennypack Park, however, is lovely. MayfairMeat and others know the area much better.

Philadelphia has several beautiful, relatively safe, and family-friendly neighborhoods. I am more partial to those built pre-war and there are many which have more "action" (although you may want to clarify what kind of action you like). Many have gorgeous parks nearby. I don't think any other large city rivals our 9200 acres worth. It's one of the things that makes Philadelphia special.

**GMonkey** · 01-11-2011, 01:05 AM

Provided your wife finds a job in the city, and you find a private school which suits your needs in the city, then I'd suggest renting in Fairmount, Queen Village, Bella Vista. It sounds like you want to be near the "action" in the city and these are nice neighborhoods and Fairmount has some more greenery.

If you decide to check out the burbs, then I'd suggest Wallingford/Swarthmore or Media. The Wallingford-Swarthmore School District is excellent and they have amazing programs for special-needs kids. It's public, but a top performing school. Depending on the degree of special needs, kids often have their own "helper teacher escorts" and a very intensive program. All of the non-special needs kids are very involved and the neglect/bullying is nil. Swarthmore is kind of like a more crunchy-granola tight-knit version of Birmingham, MI. Parts of Wallingford are like a slightly less affluent Bloomfield Hills, and parts are like residential Royal Oak...and there are a couple of Hazel Park blocks, but it's all in the great school district. The commute to the city isn't nearly as difficult as many of the mainline burbs, by either car or train.

**ShoshTrvls** · 01-11-2011, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by borntochill

<????>

The original poster said:

Under the IDEA, a school district is required to provide special needs kids with an adequate and appropriate education, which sometimes means paying for placement in a private school. If the OP is hoping for that from the PSD, it's going to be a long, long, difficult battle. If the OP is hoping to get that from a school district in NJ, they'll have much better luck.

**thinkinphilly** · 01-11-2011, 08:35 AM

Thanks for all the replies.

As to my wife and work, she found work here in Michigan and her area of expertise is rather specialized so she shouldn't have much of a problem. She's been practicing for over 20 years and has contacts in the profession. All of that aside, it wouldn't be a problem if she didn't find work right away. In fact, she might not look right away so she can get acclimated and make some friends. To use a SNL line, "AFLAC been belly, belly, good to me".

We do want to avoid the suburbs if possible. When we lived in Omaha we were suburban, minivan driving, soccer practice, blah, blah, blah, people. From what I've seen (and it may change when we visit) we'd like to live in or very near the city. If you've been to Omaha, Nebraska, you'll agree that it ain't Philadelphia (or any other large metropolitan area). Even living in the Detroit area I feel like I've been paroled.

Our son has "shadows" here and it works well. He is in "regular" classes and has lots of friends. The program in Philadelphia appears to have even more resources for him and that is the reason we're considering a move.

**borntochill** · 01-11-2011, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by ShoshTrvls

Under the IDEA, a school district is required to provide special needs kids with an adequate and appropriate education, which sometimes means paying for placement in a private school. If the OP is hoping for that from the PSD, it's going to be a long, long, difficult battle. If the OP is hoping to get that from a school district in NJ, they'll have much better luck.

got it.

**BarryG** · 01-11-2011, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by thinkinphilly

Thanks for all the replies.

As to my wife and work, she found work here in Michigan and her area of expertise is rather specialized so she shouldn't have much of a problem. She's been practicing for over 20 years and has contacts in the profession. All of that aside, it wouldn't be a problem if she didn't find work right away. In fact, she might not look right away so she can get acclimated and make some friends. To use a SNL line, "AFLAC been belly, belly, good to me".

We do want to avoid the suburbs if possible. When we lived in Omaha we were suburban, minivan driving, soccer practice, blah, blah, blah, people. From what I've seen (and it may change when we visit) we'd like to live in or very near the city. If you've been to Omaha, Nebraska, you'll agree that it ain't Philadelphia (or any other large metropolitan area). Even living in the Detroit area I feel like I've been paroled.

Our son has "shadows" here and it works well. He is in "regular" classes and has lots of friends. The program in Philadelphia appears to have even more resources for him and that is the reason we're considering a move.

So you plan on sending him to public school? That changes everything, especially given the age of your kids--the number of good middle schools in Phila SD is less than the number of good elementary schools.

I don't know enough to recommend specific public school catchments. But if private school is an option if your kids can't get a magnet school when they hit middle school age, you should definitely look into a Center City condo as I recommended upthread, or a house in Fairmount or Queen Village. Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy are worth a look, too-they are a little further out from the hot areas, but are beautiful neighborhoods with yards and just a short train, car, or even bike ride away. It sounds like you and your wife are educated professionals, and you will find more peers in those neighborhoods than in Rhawnhurst.

You also might like the inner-ring suburbs like Cheltenham and Bala Cynwyd, also a short train or car ride from downtown, good schools, and many of your peers. You need to drive in those areas, but they are old suburbs built around train lines, not highways and strip malls. The houses are beautiful.