Information on Limerick and Gilbertsville (Philadelphia, Harrisburg: real estate, house prices, wedding)

[holdema]

Hello,

I am moving my family to Gilberstville in the spring. We currently reside in Virginia and are moving because of job relocation. Does anybody have any information on moms groups in the Limerick/Gilbertsville area? We have two kids under 3. Also, it looks like the area is growing very quickly with new housing construction and with new businesses. I guess the power plant has not caused too much concern?

Thanks,

Future Pennsylvanian

[BPP1999]

Both Limerick and Gilbertsville are essentially quiet bedroom communities. Limerick has become much more professional over the last 10-15 years, with many people commuting to work in places like King of Prussia and Malvern. While there is still a fair amount of open land in Limerick, it is more and more suburban. Gilbertsville is a little further out, and I think it's safe to say you will think the average person in G-Ville is a little more countrified than Limerick.

The power plant isn't on too many people's minds. It's actually amazing how close one or 2 of the newer housing developments are to the plant.

You could also look at moving to Collegeville, Trappe, or Oaks; these areas are a little closer to Philadelphia (24-30 miles via I276 to US422 instead of 30-40 miles for Limerick/Gilbertsville), a little more developed (but still have open land that's being built on), and a little further from the power plant.

Schools in Limerick (Spring Ford) and Collegeville/Trappe/Oaks (Perkiomen Valley) are very good. There's definately a mom's club of Collegeville. By the way, Collegeville is about 5 minutes or so from Limerick.

[SaraSmile]

We looked a lot in that area and might be able to give you some alternative ideas as well! We did not like Limerick and Gilbertsville was a little too far out for us. The nuclear power plant is hard to miss and was an issue for us, although not for everyone.

[holdema]

I will be covering the eastern side of PA from Harrisburg to Philly. It seems like the Limerick/Gilberstsville area will be in the middle of my territory. I want to be close to the Philly area because the majority of customers are in that area. I looked at the Gilbertsville area because it was within a reasonable driving distance for shopping and dining (King of Prussia). The area I was looking was Bella Vista community.

[BPP1999]

I've actually been to a wedding at the Bella Vista clubhouse, and I've driven through the development several times. The homes seem very nice there, and affordable, too. Be sure to ask about real estate taxes; I'm sure they're easily $4-7k/year. Not sure where you live in Virginia, but depending, Bella Vista might seem a bit remote. As that area continues to suburbanize, though, I'm sure there will be more and more housing out there.

[holdema]

Yes, you are correct on the taxes, they are around $5,200 per year. It seems like one of the few areas that you can still build for under $400k. It does seem a little rural, but with a short drive you can be in civilization. What other areas would you suggest?

Thanks

[BPP1999]

The Collegeville area will get you a little (maybe 15-20 minutes) closer to Philadelphia. It's also much more a part of civilization. There's even a Wegman's going up right off the 422 exit, along with a PF Chang's and other stores, plus the Target nearby, and there's the Philadelphia Premium Outlets that just opened up right off the Sanatoga exit of 422 in Limerick. Try Googling "Providence Town Center" to check out the Wegman's shopping center. Believe it or not, though, there's even an upscale shopping center in the works for somewhere on Route 100, near the Coventry Mall. That's pretty close to Limerick and Gilbertsville. Even the Coventry Mall serves it's purpose, though it's a small mall.

Actually, if you are going to be going out to Harrisburg, what about checking out areas along the Turnpike? Maybe King of Prussia, Wayne, or, further west, Downington or Exton?

[JerzBoy]

Word of advice - Route 422 eastbound in the AM is a nightmare. You will be in for very long drives if most of your customers are the Phila. area. Just getting to King of Prussia takes forever.

I'd recommend somewhere off the PA Turnpike instead - maybe the Rt100 exit. Chester Springs and Exton are nice areas with reasonable access to Harrisburg area as well.

[SaraSmile]

Originally Posted by holdema

I will be covering the eastern side of PA from Harrisburg to Philly. It seems like the Limerick/Gilberstsville area will be in the middle of my territory. I want to be close to the Philly area because the majority of customers are in that area. I looked at the Gilbertsville area because it was within a reasonable driving distance for shopping and dining (King of Prussia). The area I was looking was Bella Vista community.

With that territory Gilbertsville is a good spot to be in. You will find the traffic out in King of Prussia to be a nightmare (esp. 422) but at least Gilbertsville is a little ways out. You could check out Quakertown too - it has an exit for rt 476 to get to Philly and is also close to rt 78 out to Harrisburg. Lots of people moving there and house prices are under 400K for houses on a half acre. Skippack is further south but also a really nice area - not sure how pricing is out there anymore.

Have fun looking !

[Duderino]

Having lived in the Gilbertsville/Boyertown area for the past 14 years, I can attest to explosive growth and living opportunities that abound here. The area has gone from a quiet, old farming community to an ever-expansive bedroom community at the sprawling edge of Montgomery County. Gilbertsville is approximately 37 miles from Philadelphia via 422/I-76, which would be a nighmarish commute, but most people commute to jobs in other closer suburban areas (i.e., King of Prussia, Norristown, Pottstown, Conshohocken). From a first-hand perspective, I would say that if you wanted to open a business in the area, Northern Montgomery County is definitely the place. The people are here, and many are still starving for shopping opportunities that they don't have to travel upward of 20 minutes for. The recently opened Limerick Outlets is a testament to the success that new businesses would have here.

Also, the nuclear power plant has been a fixture here for some time, and after a little while you simply don't even notice it anymore -- so I'd hardly let that play a huge role in your exact relocation. Good luck and feel free to ask anymore specific questions!