Sorry - that's outside my area.
 

I do know someone who grew up in Philly. I'll try to get ahold of him at work.

Finally heard back from him.
 

I read your latest post and don't know if you're still looking for a house, but here's what he said:

There are not any really cheap areas to live in near Philly (unless you want to live in the city and have crack dealers dealing from your front porch). The cheapest area is actually probably in South Jersey. The most expensive areas are what is called the Main Line - which is the corridor from Valley Forge to Center City - and West Chester (west and south of Center City) unless you live in Chester itself, which is nicer than Newark but not by much. Bucks County seems to be the most reasonable area around Philly (It's the 95 corridor northeast of the city). There's a lot there as far as malls and restaurants but it is still surburban. The schools are all pretty good there too.

Hope that helps.