Where is this perfect village? (Philadelphia, Perkasie: suburban, distance, seller)

[teatime]

If you're willing to consider western PA, New Wilmington would be perfect. There's a small, lovely private college there and an Amish community, too, but it's not touristy -- just a mingling of cultures.

[g_mom_2006]

Originally Posted by averagenyjoe

Seeking a small city or large village with that "small town feel" in Eastern or Central PA about 10-15,000 pop. +/-. Mostly flat town but located in area of gently rolling hills. Not wet or swampy. Must be very walking and bicycling friendly. Historically preserved with a clean-cut ambiance. Neighborhoods inter-mingled with woods and/or small fields. Practical and usable downtown area NOT loaded with botiques, nail/tanning salons or impractical cutesy gift stores. A nice cafe or two would be nice. At least one good equipped park necessary. A couple would be nice. A good little library would be wonderful. Do not want a touristy or transient area. Stable middle-class citizens. Not yuppie or college preppies nor rich snobs but certainly no rednecks or closed minded people either. Would like other equal size or smaller villages in nearby areas. Would like to be within 10-20 miles of not a huge city but at least a sizable city of at least 50-75,000 +/-. Would love to be on or near a river but not dogmatically necessary. By the way, I'm not a rich man. Housing & taxes must be suited for an average person. What a dream come true if this or most of it could exist. Thank you for any honest suggestions.

Quakertown, Perkasie and Sellersville come to mind. I live in Quakertown, population 9,000, we live on the outskirts of town with woods/fields, but still close to shopping, the library and the park. Just a few miles outside of town is Lake Nockamixon for walking, bike riding, boating, fishing. The housing and taxes in my opinion are high compared to other areas, but that's the way it is in Bucks County.

[JeannieSellsLancaster]

You have been given some great advice here, and many areas to consider. I'm new to the board, although I've been reading for some time now. If you need any information on the Lancaster County area, I'd be happy to help. Lititz is a great town, but can become touristy during summer weekends. Ephtara is also a great little boro, and does not have too much tourist traffic. Strasburg is a great town, very rich in history, yet can be touristy at times. That's not to say that you necessarrily need to be where the tourists are, of course.

[talk2u]

Originally Posted by averagenyjoe

Thank you millions. ScrantonWilksBarre, you need to be given an award from City-Data. You are very thorough. I even like your style. You sprinkle in a bit of sarcastic humor. No joke, I really like it. You write "Wow! After reading all of your demanding criteria, you've pretty much narrowed yourself down to nowhere. LOL!" and " and other fartsy-pantsy frou-frou shops that wouldn't meet your needs". You got me right on that one, I wouldnt care for that.
I figure I would start out with "perfection" then back off accordingly. Yes, there are certainly areas which I could give-in a little. Each town you showed is beautiful. I really like what I see of Lewisburg and Honesdale, they look so close to what I think would work but of course, I would have to come and look at the surrounding area and just see for myself but you are just amazing with your information and pictures. PA cities and villages are very unique and mostly very well kept. I like the stone architecture alot.

Just a side note here. while living in Charlotte, we had a hard-ball conservative politician who responded to a trend at the time to enhance the arts in Charlotte by bringing in alot of "touchy-feely" stuff and some gay plays and he came out with a phrase "artsy-fartsy crowd" refering to its supporters and de-funded all public support of arts in Charlotte for a time. Well, he didnt last too long in his job. back out he went. Arts still struggles but they did squash the more sensetive stuff. anyway, how did I get on that one.

You're moving to PA from Charlotte (Charlotte, NC)? Why are you moving? Just curious because I'm trying to move to Charlotte from PA.

[generic brand]

Chambersburg maybe?

[CaptainObvious]

Originally Posted by generic brand

Chambersburg maybe?

That's the best suggestion I've seen so far. I've been to most of the towns mentioned and in my humble little opinion, Chambersburg is probably the closest match to your original description. Lititz is another excellent choice as well. Both areas are growing fairly rapidly however...Chambersburg as more people figure out they can live there cheaply and still only be 2 hours from D.C. and Lititz as Lancaster County is becomming the next telecommute spot of choice for would-be Philadelphians.

Cap

[Katdoll]

I also recommend New Wilmington, PA. It is a very nice little quaint town. A couple of restaurants, car dealership, banks, schools, a couple of gas stations, post office, small "specialty meat" store, coffee shop, a few shopping stores, and much more. Nearby is two towns: Pulaski, and Volant (in same school district). New Castle, West Middlesex, Sharon, Hermitage all nearby small towns. New Wilmington is one hour north of Pittsburgh, PA; and two hours south of Erie, PA. Just close to the Ohio border too. Youngstown is only 35 minutes away.

I love this town.....everyone pretty much knows everyone. Very friendly. Yes, Amish are located in this area....so you have to watch your driving, but all in all is a nice place to live. Lots of country, wooded areas. I happen to live in the township surrounding the downtown area, and have a wooded area in my backyard that we kept that way when we built our house.
If you like to be left alone.....you can do that too. Lots of house in the township are far enough between eachother, but yet close enough if you need someone for help.
Good luck in finding a place

[Pilot1]

Originally Posted by JeannieSellsLancaster

Strasburg is a great town, very rich in history, yet can be touristy at times.

Did you ever try to drive through Strasburg during the summer. Ugh! All the tourists from NJ and NY trying to see the "A" mish.

[Unstable]

I was going to suggest Sellersville too, it's tiny but quite adorable, near several mid-sized towns, and also within striking distance of Philadelphia.

[KevinE]

Originally Posted by averagenyjoe

What a dream come true if this or most of it could exist. Thank you for any honest suggestions.

You've basically described Princeton, NJ but that is waaaay out of your league.