is Bucks co. really worth it? (Plum, Easton: real estate, homes, school district)

[all mixed up]

What can you tell me about the taxes in Bucks county. What is the montly assesment for loving in Willow Knoll? Any other info, would be great.

[BMK1106]

Taxes in that area aren't cheap - I pay about $2500.00- $3000.00 per year in Willow Knoll - I'm sure that neighborhoods with more land will pay much more than that.

But willow knoll is great - a townhouse development with NO ASSOCIATION!!! That's the best part - no regulations about lawns and paint or any of that other nonsense. I can do anything I want to my house and I don't have to get it approved by some dippy association - some people like the whole association thing, but it's just not for me. It's great because all of the neighbors want the neighborhood to look nice, so nobody really goes crazy or anything. But if you want siding on your house instead of stucco, or vice-versa, you can do it - and you don't need to ask permission!

The only downfall is that there is no designated parking...so if someone parks in-front of my house when I come home from the grocery store, there's not much I can do about it. Though, I must say that most of my neighbors are very courteous when it comes to parking...its usually visitors that upset the parking balance. But it also can be an advantage without designated parking - since my 85 year old grandfather (who can barely walk and refuses to get a disabled sticker) can come to visit me and he doesn't have to park 3 blocks away (as I have seen in many townhouse communities).

Lots of nearby shopping - Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Lowe's, Home Depot, Wegmans, Genuardi's, Old Navy, all within 5-10 minutes away - close to Montgomery and Willow Grove malls. 5 minutes from all of the great downtown Doylestown cultural events. About 45 - 60 minutes from Philadelphia (depending on traffic). 5 minutes from Willow Grove Naval Air Station (spectacular air show each year). Lots of great restaurants/bars, a movie theater, golf & mini-golf courses, and a few parks and playgrounds - all really close by.

I definitely recommend that you check it out - as I said, I've been here about 2 years and I love it!

[L.K.]

can you tell me which of the central bucks high schools that warrington kids go to,or is it more the one? Are there still 3 high schools for central bucks?

[BMK1106]

The kids in Warrington go to CB-South. There is also CB-East and CB-West. I'm not sure of the dividing lines for East and West but I'm certain that Warrington is CB-South.

I'm pretty sure that Warrington used to be East, that is until they built South. It's a brand new school, maybe about 2 years old - and it's beautiful. All state of the art equipment & lots of clubs and sports... I wish my high school was like that!

[Madjacz]

Looks like we are in pursuit of the same things, can you tell me what zipcodes are in those areas, --- I love the town square idea, is that close too for what I'm looking for or not? Our need is to have a quick commute for my husband to both philly and ny/ny. What about stay at home moms and a transient population (we've been transferred alot and would like to find people who are quick to make friends too etc. )

[Adream]

Originally Posted by BMK1106

adream -

the Wegmans just opened in October - I love it! what a great store...they have everything. actually, they opened this whole big "lifestyle shopping center" or something like that they call it. they built it like a main street - if you are from the Philly area, think old-time Germantown Ave. - so there are shops all along the strip. it's really nice - I definitely recommend that you check it out if you are still in the area. it's on 611 between Street and Bristol Rds (closer to Street Rd). have fun...

Thank you for that update BMK - I'm practically in tears reading this. My old house was in a neighborhood off of Bristol Road not far from 611. To think that I could've lived that close to a Wegmans if I had stayed put... Oh well, we found opportunities here at the Jersey Shore that we wouldn't have had there. (Note to self: Keep reminding myself of that... )

Originally Posted by BMK1106

The kids in Warrington go to CB-South. There is also CB-East and CB-West. I'm not sure of the dividing lines for East and West but I'm certain that Warrington is CB-South.

I'm pretty sure that Warrington used to be East, that is until they built South. It's a brand new school, maybe about 2 years old - and it's beautiful. All state of the art equipment & lots of clubs and sports... I wish my high school was like that!

Warrington is now C. B. South but used to be C.B. West school district. The reason I know this is that one of my best friends from high school (and still today) lived in Warrington and we both went to C.B.West. What a fantastic school district! Kids enter their first year of college as advanced as many second year college students. First rate!

[L.K.]

can someone tell me all the towns that attend the 3 CB high schools?

[BMK1106]

Madjacz - Warrington's zip code is 18976. Might be a little far for a commute to NYC, about 1.5-2 hour drive. It might be easier to drive to Trenton and take the train into the city. About 30-45 minutes from Warrington to Trenton. And I'm always looking to make friends in the neighborhood! We would welcome you with open arms!

Adream - thanks for clarifying - I really wasn't sure about that. South was already built when we moved into Warrington. Glad to hear you are happy in Jersey - even though you are missing out on Wegmans - and let me tell you, you are missing out! It's amazing!!!

LK – the towns/townships included in the Central Bucks School District are: Chalfont Borough, Doylestown Borough, New Britain Borough, Buckingham Township, Doylestown Township, New Britain Township, Plumstead Township, Warrington Township, and Warwick Township.

[L.K.]

BMK1106-do you know much about these other townships/boroughs.Are they very different from each other?I would be more interested in the townships as they are larger and that's more what we are used to.Are they all pretty close together? Nice downtown areas? Thanks for all your help so far!

[BMK1106]

all of the townships are nice - central bucks in general is a really great area. I must say that Doylestown and Buckingham are considerably more expensive than the other areas listed, although there are many affluent sections of each township.

For more reasonable housing prices, I would stick with Warrington or Chalfont - these townships have some great townhouse communities as well as moderately priced single homes.

You can sometimes find a good deal in Doylestown, but they tend to sell very quickly - Doylestown is the "hub" of all of Bucks County. And if you are looking for a small city feel - Doylestown is the place for you. Several cultural events take place in Downtown Doylestown - I'm not sure if you are familiar with the "First Friday" events that have been taking place in many neighborhoods in the Philadelphia area - but, Doylestown has great "First Friday" events.

I'm really not sure about prices in Warwick or Plumstead Township. Central Bucks offers a lot of options for housing - everything from big old farmhouses to the 'cookie-cutter' tract housing - I'm sure you and your family will be able to find a good fit somewhere in Central Bucks.