Moving to Swarthmore (maybe) (Philadelphia, Lancaster: real estate, home, theater)

[Junie17]

My daughter and her family, and my husband and I, are thinking about moving to Swartmore, from California and NY. My son-in-law will be teaching at West Chester College. I visited several towns over the weekend and really liked Swarthmore. My daughter and son-in-law have two small children and are looking for a child friendly, warm community. Is Swarthmore welcoming to newcomers or is it the kind of place that you have to live there for 20 years before you're accepted? Would it be a difficult commute to West Chester from there? How about the commute from Swarthmore to Philly?
Also, same questions about Media. Thanks for any help you can give us!

[rainrock]

Swarthmore is regarded as a very liberal, friendly community.Swarthmore College I believe is the second ranked liberal arts college in the country. Its a great little town, and if you are interested in that type of town(older established) you might also want to check out the towns along the Mainline(Lancaster Ave- RT 30). Very similar feel to Swarthmore but more affluent with a hint of snootiness. Towns along the Mainline include Bryn Mawr,Haverford,Narberth,Ardmore,Villanova,Gladwyne ,Radnor,Wayne among others. The area north of Route 30 is more upscale.


Media is a great little small town. A fabulous town to live in and has a nice little downtown area for drinks, shopping and dinner. Has a Trader Joes and a small theater. A mile away is Ridley Creek State Park which is a 2500 acre recreational area.

I would also check out the West Chester area it has a bit of everything. The borough of West Chester is a bigger version of Media/Swarthmore and the surrounding area is booming with upscale suburbia.

Swarthmore to Center City Philly is about a 25 minute ride by car and there is a train station right in the middle of town that will take you into Center City.

Good luck.

[Junie17]

Thanks. Swarthmore and Media both seem like good possibilities. My husband and I go country western line dancing a couple of times a week. Does anyone know if there's any place to do that in that area?

[orrmobl]

King of Prussia Firehouse Allendale Road
King of Prussia, PA Wednesday

The Lagoon Essington, PA 610-521-1400 Wednesday

Prospect Lodge
with City Slickers/Country Kickers Route 420 (Lincoln Avenue)
Prospect Park, Pennsylvania (610) 583-3549 Tuesday

[Junie17]

Thank you so much. I feel much better about moving now!

[thesixth]

You'll do fine in Media or Swarthmore. Once your grandkids get into school and join sports teams and such, you will find it easy to get acquainted with your neighbors.

[Junie17]

What about real estate in Swarthmore & Media? Are prices/taxes around the same in both places?

[rainrock]

Media has a more diverse economic mix than Swarthmore. The median home price in Swarthmore in 2006 was $375k, Media was $235k. Nether Providence $265k which is located between Swarthmore and Media was ranked as the 9th best U.S.town to live in Money Magazine/Cnn poll for 2007. West Goshen $325k which is located next to West Chester was ranked #12 on that list.



Heres a great link to give you a guide to all the median housing prices in the suburban area.

Pa. Suburban Median Home Prices | Philadelphia Inquirer | 09/19/2007

Best Places to Live: Top 100 - Nether Providence (Wallingford), Pa. (9) - Money Magazine

Nether Providence