-PHILLY SUBURBS-

Searching where to live in the Philly Suburbs

Are you interested in moving to the Philly Suburbs or are you already actively looking? Make sure to consider these 5 things during your search!

Here’s what you’ll learn in this video: 

• Key factors to consider when choosing where to live in the Philly Suburbs, such as traffic patterns, noise levels, and proximity to amenities
• The one thing you may not be able to live without when choosing the right area
• Understanding different types of housing options available in various areas and how they affect your search, from condos to homes with lots of yard space
• Evaluating property taxes and community preferences to find the right balance for your budget and desired lifestyle

#1: TRAFFIC & NOISE

Number one is traffic and noise. Generally, the closer you are to Philly, the more likely you’ll encounter higher traffic patterns and the resulting noise that comes with that. It’s not always the case, but in the more densely populated areas, this may be an issue. Sometimes, a neighborhood might have one main road too that can be problematic areas so it’s always good to at least get a sense of this. One trick is to just take a short drive in the morning and the afternoon on a weekday to better understand the traffic situation.

#2: HOUSING AVAILABILITY

Number two is the type of housing available. If you’re debating what kind of housing you’d like like if you’re looking at a rancher versus a condo this can limit where you live. The further north you go you may not see as many condos as closer to the south near Philly. At the same time, if you’re looking to purchase and you want more of a backyard space it may be challenging to find space in some of the more dense communities so you might need to look further north like Bucks County or Chester County.

#3: PROXIMITY TO AMENITIES

Number 3. Let’s talk about how close you are to things. Are you someone who’s okay with driving 20 minutes to get to a grocery store or a clothing store? Or perhaps you’re a foodie like me, would you be happy with the food available in the area? Sometimes that may be a big factor to consider. I made the mistake of moving to a more rural area, and I wished I was always closer to shopping and local grocery stores. 

#4: PROPERTY TAXES

Number 4. This is specific to those looking to buy - property taxes can vary widely from county to county and across townships. Depending on how much you may be able to afford, this might be something to consider when you’re specifically looking to purchase.

#5: THE COMMUNITY FEEL

Number 5. Lastly and probably one of the bigger factors is the community you’ll be joining. Do you want that small town community or are you okay with being in a larger area? It’s helpful to go to some central community spots like local parks, museums, and town centers, to help you get a better feel for the community.

ARE YOU READY TO START?

So there you have it—five  things to think about in your search in the Philly Suburbs.  Whether you’re now ready to search or maybe still considering it, take your time and think through where you might want to live. If you’re interested in learning more about the areas that make up the Philly Suburbs. Check out my video Philly Suburbs Neighborhoods Explained.