is Bucks co. really worth it? (Allentown, Chester: insurance, new home, school)

[skivino]

Here in the Lower Makefield/Yardley area there are tons of kids activities (I have 3 children). Every sport, a great township pool with 4 pools, great playground with bbq's, bathroom, basketball courts, tennis courts, soccer fields, baseball fields...there's nothing lacking in terms of sports or children activities here.

The Lower Makefield supervisors are also trying to really create a community. Last Labor Day they hosted a wonderful community event day, with music, booths selling stuff, games for the kids, bouncy castles, slides etc. Pie eating contest, food and some of the best Fireworks I've ever seen!! Shady Brook Farms has a great light show (drive thru) during CHristmas, they have a ton of Halloween activities, including a haunted house, hayrides, and weekend festivals. They also had a carnival there last year for the first time (Lower Makefield sponsored) that was a huge hit.

Yardley boro has Harvest Day every year in the fall, a great display of many hand made items (not junk), music food etc. Yardley also has an annual Memorial Day parade, and Christmas Parade.

Newtown has Market Day, a colonial day with people recreating traditional colonial crafts, as well as people selling goods, people dressed in costume. Newtown has lots of colonial history.

It's really a wonderful place to live, as we have the 'small town' community stuff, but we are so close to PHila, NYC, the NJ shore (one hour East) the mountains.

[L.K.]

Again,thanks for all the great information.Sounds like areas we will check out.What are home prices like there? We also have 3 kids,will want a house at least 2500 sq.ft.Do you know much about the towns associated with CB school district?Just as a comparison? I love hearing this wonderful stuff,since we love Wi. so much and hope to love where we move in Pa.-L.K.

[skivino]

I know the areas of CB but the towns I don't know in detail enough to provide you with. They vary depending on what part of Bucks you're in.

Housing in my area is seems to have started to level off a bit. It was crazy for awhile (like many areas of the country). For example there's a 4 bedroom colonial on my street for sale for $459 (I think, they may have come down a bit), it's on 3/4 of an acre and probably has at least 2500 sqft. While the house is in good shape (good bones as they say) it needs updating. I mean they have wall paper going up the stairs with the 70's Eagle on it (do you know which one I'm talking about?) and the 1/2 bath has metallic green/silver wall paper. The rest of the house is not a horrible (from what I can remember) but the kitchen is old and ugly (dark oak cabs, laminate counters. Taxes are probably $7K.

For a 2500 sqft home you're looking anywhere from low 400K (needs work) to close to $600K depending on the upgrades. All of Lower Makefield is nice, there's really no one area to 'stay away' from.

If you want more info you can email me. How old are your children?

[L.K.]

Thanks! Our kids are 10,7 and 3.So one going into 5th,one going into 2nd and hopefully,a good preschool around! We wouldn't mind paying in the 4's and then having to update as long as it's not too bad! What I like about CB and Council Rock is that the elementary schools seem to be k-6 instead of k-5.To me that makes more sense.Is that standard out there?How is hwy 95 to drive on?

[Phish Head]

I used to live in Yardley (Lower Makefield Township). Many of our relatives still live in the Lehigh Valley. Unfortunately, I was relocated to NJ for my job. Yardley is a great place to live. If we could we'd move back. I-95 can be backed up in the morning, but your better off in Yardley than Newtown for this. Pennsbury schools are good, Council Rock and CB schools are great.

[L.K.]

so specifically, which townships would you recommend if we wanted to be in CB schools?We prefer a larger town[10,000 or up] kid filled neighborhoods and decent commute to Newark[1 1/2 hours or less]

[Phish Head]

Originally Posted by L.K.

so specifically, which townships would you recommend if we wanted to be in CB schools?We prefer a larger town[10,000 or up] kid filled neighborhoods and decent commute to Newark[1 1/2 hours or less]

You really can't go wrong in Central Bucks. You would want to go further east, and be as close to Route 202 into NJ as possible. Keep in mind that the closer to NJ you get, the more expensive it is. Doylestown is the largest town and has an amazing downtown with beautiful homes, churches, and a very well maintained business district. Some do consider it a bit snobby, I guess that comes with the wealth of the area. I also suggest Buckingham Township, as it is closer to NJ, New Hope, Lambertville, Peddlers Village, etc. Nice, semi-rural town. Buckingham is more country with no real central business district. Big homes, lots of open space, even a vineyard. Can't go wrong with either town, but it depends on if you want to live in more of a small town atmosphere or a country/rural atmosphere. By the way, I believe both towns use the Doylestown zip code, 18901.

Also, Solebury Township is also really nice. Those kids go to New Hope-Solebury schools however. Also a good school district. Homes in Solebury twsp are even a bit more $$, but the commute would be closer and it is a wonderful place to live. New Hope zip 18938.

[L.K.]

thanks so much again!Your insite is always helpful and it will give me a jumping off point when we come out in March.We do prefer a small town feel with a central downtown area rather than rural.I think I would like to stick with trying to be in the CB schools.Again,the commute for my husband is secondary to great schools and a good hometown atmosphere with lots of kids and kid activities and sports.I sometimes wonder if, as the home prices and cost of living goes up,if there aren't fewer children.One income families become priced out and career couples and older,higher income earners inhabit all of those wealthy areas.I guess we will do what it takes for our kids to be in good schools,but obviously we don't want to be totally strapped either.Do you have an opinion about Warrington?

[Phish Head]

Warrington is pretty nice, it is further west of Doylestown, making the commute longer. Also, it doesn't really have a central downtown area. Better to stay north toward Doylestown than south toward Warminster. Warminster isn't a bad town, but there is more of an "inner suburb" feel to the area.

New Britain and Chalfont are also nice and in the CB schools. Personally, I find the area closer to Montgomery County to be not quite as nice as the area closer to NJ. I prefer Buckingham, Plumsteadville, Pipersville, and New Hope/Solebury to areas further west. Just seems more historic, and more laid-back, more trees and farms; less malls and car dealerships. But thats just my opinion. The Delaware River Valley is really beautiful north of Trenton. In order of quality of life, from high to low in Central Bucks, I would say:

1. New Hope/Solebury (including Pipersville)
2. Buckingham (including Wrightstown Township)
3. Doylestown (including Plumstead Township)
4. Chalfont/New Britain
5. Warrington/ Jamison/ Warwick Township
6. Warminster

Thats just an opinion, based on what I believe to be a high quality of life. None of these towns are bad or run down.

[L.K.]

these suggestions are very helpful! Anyone else with an opinion on these or other areas?Your help is appreciated!