Which area gets your more house for your money. Lower or Upper Macungie? (houses)

[2kidsimdone]

Also, which area has the lower taxes?

[KristyLiz]

I am not entirely sure, but from what I can tell by talking to people, etc., I think housing is more expensive in Lower Macungie. As for taxes, I'm not sure, I think it's probably the same since the mill rate is the same - again, no expert here.

[iamcoko]

Opinion based...

My husband and I were in between Upper and Lower Macungie. We looked for about 6 months. The houses were basically the same price regardless of the area, but the taxes were slightly less in Upper Macungie.

Also, if you drive around Lower Macungie there are signs posted protesting another tax hike.

Hope this helps!

[2kidsimdone]

Thanks! iamcoko which did you choose? I mean the schools are great in either location so I don't know where to look. I will probably look in both areas and if I find the perfect house I guess that will be my decision.

[iamcoko]

We ended up in Upper M, but more because we found the "perfect house" and appreciated the slightly less taxes. We did not see the signs about increasing Lower M taxes until a month later, so we are even happier with our decision.

Lower M seems to be growing at an even more rapid rate than Upper M. Lower M, however, has a more neighborhood feel.

Also, I was told that Lower M will also be building a new elementary and middle school in the near future, which must account for the looming tax increase.

In the end, you cannot go wrong with either area! Good luck.

[jeffvivian]

2kidsimdone,

Often times the determining factor of where you get more house for your money is your price range (meaning for $200,000 where do I get more house for my money), but since I am flying a little blind here but I'll try to give an illustration.

When you look at AVAILABLE homes between 1750 & 2200 sq ft. min 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. Right now Lower Macungie has a slight edge with 100 more sq ft with home priced between $249000 - $259000. It a very slight difference and again that is only in this sq feet comparing this price range. To really get a good idea you would need someone to apply your price range and desired sq ft.

Hope this helps!
Jeff

[2kidsimdone]

Jeff-

Our price range is up to $400,000. We would like 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths with close to 3000 square feet.

Thanks!

[KristyLiz]

Originally Posted by iamcoko

Lower M, however, has a more neighborhood feel.

This is very true!

We are in Lower Macungie, and I've heard it many times that the communities in Lower Macungie do more in terms of nerighborhood activites, etc.

There are lots of SAHMs in Lower Macungie, so for me, it's been great having lots of people around during the day with kids.

I have a friend who lives in Upper Macungie, and she absolutely sees the difference. Her son goes to preschool with my son, and I hear all the time about how nice it is in Lower macungie that the developments do so much.

Now, I've also heard that the people in Lower Macungie are a bit snobbier and into "keeping up with the Jones" - this could be true, but I think a littl healthy competition amongst neighbors can't be a bad thing in terms of keeping the houses well maintained.

[jeffvivian]

2kidsimdone,

After reviewing the current market with your preferences. Again as it stands right now, Lower Macungie is giving more HOUSE for your money. this can be LM has more "competition" of homes that are on the market.

With all this said, it is not an overwhelming difference. So close that I would strongly consider the available homes in Upper Macungie because there appears to be more yard with these homes (not sure if that is a + or - in your list of needs).

So I know you were looking for a clear cut answer but this is the best I could come up with.

Thanks
Jeff