Where to buy home - Wilmington/Hockessin or West Chester(or around) (real estate market)

[me_taran]

Any expert suggestion on this would be appreciated.
We both work in Wilmington. Want to move out of the apartment in next 6 months. Our kid will start going to public school next year. We want (a) good public school area (b) good resale opportunity (as we might be moving out of the country in next 3-4 years)
We are very confused about buying a small home in Wilmington/Hockessin or West Chester, PA. We have heard the public schools are better in PA but a couple of them are good in Hockessin too.
Not able to decide what would be a good option - If take in West Chester it would be a commute for both of us and want to make sure it would be worth. Thanks

[jskirwin]

You'll have more choice in West Chester. Bigger real estate market. Plus I prefer the PA schools. Then again it's a commute, higher taxes, all the usual DE vs PA issues

[rainrock]

If you are considering PA Chadds Ford and Garnet Valley are both closer to Wilmington with better school districts than WC. In particular Unionville Chadds Ford schools are exceptional.

[me_taran]

Thanks.

[armx]

me_taran:

It might interest you to know that in PA the property taxes are anywhere from 5K to 7K (per YR)more than those in DE for a comparable properties. Additionally, PA township tax and State tax are on the gross (no deductions for mtgg interest or unusual med expenses) income whereas DE allows all deductions on Schedule A for the tax computations.

Your total tax burden alone will be 10-12 K more per year not to mention the commuting expenses & stress for both of you and ..... the distance away from your child for day emergencies or after school care.

AND in any case, at elementary school level the schools are not substantially different. The difference in schools really develops during middle and high school level.

So for your time horizon (3-6 years) it is my recommendation that you consider delaware residence.