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I'm trying to get some information on which of these counties is a better place to live. Assuming equal pay ($52k a year, or $1000 a week), which is the better way to go if offered jobs in both areas? As far as I can see from Google searches:
-Chester County is more Republican, Worcester County more democrat
-Both have similar demographics
-Worcester has day trip access to Rhode Island beaches and Cape Cod
-Chester has day trip access to southern NJ beaches and Delaware beaches
-Philly overall cheaper city than Boston, but more dangerous
-other access to nature?
-cost of living?
How about friendliness? Which area is faster paced and which is more laid back? Which area is more "corporate" feeling and which area is more "organic", for lack of a better description? How does traffic compare?
I was wondering about that. On maps, it looks like Framingham is the outermost Boston burb but is quite close to the Worcester burbs. Towns like Shrewsbury seem to be suburbs of both. Also, the Chester County area seems to be growing in toward Lancaster.
Though further west gets some Boston influence. Would you live in Worcester County with a job within Worcester County or just to commute in or near Boston?
-Philly overall cheaper city than Boston, but more dangerous
I don't think the crime of North Philly will impact you in Chester. The COL probably won't matter either. Best to compare the crime and COL of Chester Co vs. Wisstah.
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How about friendliness? Which area is faster paced and which is more laid back? Which area is more "corporate" feeling and which area is more "organic", for lack of a better description? How does traffic compare?
Philadelphia is more friendly (not necessarily polite) than Boston, but Chester county isn't particularly friendly. It's actually quite New England-like in this regard. Maybe you'll end up in a friendly neighborhood, though, so don't assume it's uniform.
Though further west gets some Boston influence. Would you live in Worcester County with a job within Worcester County or just to commute in or near Boston?
One job is actually in Framingham, so I've been looking at apartments and the best prices seem to be in the Worcester area. I wasn't too crazy about Framingham personally. Living toward Boston is too expensive and crowded, and living west of Worcester is too long of a commute and in the sticks.
The other is in West Chester, so since I'm familiar with that area more, I kinda liked the Downingtown and Exton areas, if not West Chester itself (albeit at a higher rental price likely). I kinda made a personal rule not to go over $1k a month for rent, which is 25% of my monthly salary.
Worcester county goes to I495 and definitely is connected to Boston. From my own limited experience I know plenty of people who commute from Worcester, Harvard, MA etc. to Boston Waltham, Watertown and Cambridge and some go they other way.
I'm trying to get some information on which of these counties is a better place to live. Assuming equal pay ($52k a year, or $1000 a week), which is the better way to go if offered jobs in both areas? As far as I can see from Google searches:
-Chester County is more Republican, Worcester County more democrat
-Both have similar demographics
-Worcester has day trip access to Rhode Island beaches and Cape Cod
-Chester has day trip access to southern NJ beaches and Delaware beaches
-Philly overall cheaper city than Boston, but more dangerous
-other access to nature?
-cost of living?
How about friendliness? Which area is faster paced and which is more laid back? Which area is more "corporate" feeling and which area is more "organic", for lack of a better description? How does traffic compare?
Chester county is very beautiful, and very wealthy, and more separated from Philly than the other counties in the area. I do not know much about Worcester county, but it is safe to say that Chester County probably wins in every category. Chester county can be very expensive/snobby depending on the township, it is much cheaper and "countryish" as you get closer to lancaster county, but far from amenities.
And crime in Philly is isolated into sections of the city, and has absolutely no connection to any part of the suburbs.
Chester County is a great place. Most people are pretty well off, with the exception of certain pockets of people in its boroughs. It doesn't have any big cities like Worcester does (West Chester is the most populated borough), however it offers a good spread of population. It is mostly middle class people, but there is certainly no shortage of upper middle to upper class people either. The schools in the county are all quite good (except maybe Coatesville), and it has some pretty great scenery. Just from what I know about Boston, I'd say that both places will have an "organic" feel, as both of these places were being established in the 1700's. I'd say it's hard to go wrong either way.
Chester county is very beautiful, and very wealthy, and more separated from Philly than the other counties in the area. I do not know much about Worcester county, but it is safe to say that Chester County probably wins in every category. Chester county can be very expensive/snobby depending on the township, it is much cheaper and "countryish" as you get closer to lancaster county, but far from amenities.
And crime in Philly is isolated into sections of the city, and has absolutely no connection to any part of the suburbs.
This is what I worry about a little bit, as my limited time spent out there revealed to me that it might be that way. I was honing in on Downington and Exton as two areas that are still connected to Philly but a little further out and bordering on the nicer, more natural areas. It didn't feel as snobby out that way, but I can see how the Chester Springs and Birchrunville areas could be perceived that way. Its super wealthy in those towns / areas.
To be sure, I don't think Metrowest Boston would be much better anyway.
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