Chester County Help! Best and Worst? (Philadelphia, Lancaster: real estate, apartments, low crime)

[chrismaya]

My husband and I are thinking of relocating to this county in PA. Can you share the best and worst? Thanks!

[newmarlig]

This is a beautiful suburb of Philadelphia. You have the advantage of being in a green setting, yet you are not far from the city. I would suggest you google it and read for yourself.

[Phish Head]

Chester and Bucks are the nicest counties outside Philadephia. I lived in Bucks, but went into Chester for job sites and just to travel. All of Chester is nice except the Coatesville area- I would stay away from downtown Coatesville. Also, some parts of Downingtown are a bit run down, but not too bad. My favorite areas are Exton/Lionville, West Pikeland, Chester Springs, Birchrunville; all really beautiful. Very green, lots of low mountains, educated population, lots of old stone houses. If I could afford it, I might be living there now.

Also, Honey Brook is very nice, a bit more rural, more farmland, more Amish, and a bit cheaper. But also further from Philly.

[newmarlig]

Be sure you look in Chester County and not just Chester, which is part of Delaware County, and not nice at all.

[chrismaya]

What about East Fallowfield, Phish Head??

[Phish Head]

be careful where you buy in East Fallowfield. Some of the garbage from Coatesville has been spilling over into this area. It a big township, so likely you'll find something. But if you look in the Apartment Guides, some apartments that claim to be located in East Fallowfield (such a cute name) are actually in Coatesville. Marketers are slick- they avoid the Coatesville name because the repuation in Chester County is known as a bad place to live. I saw an apartment located in "New Coatesville, PA".....no such thing.

If you see a place that says its located in East Fallowfield, PA, beware, it could be in Coatesville.

[chrismaya]

Thank you. We are looking to relocate our growing family out of expensive NJ. I'm a SAHM, so we are a one-income family. There are some large homes out in E. Fallowfield that are pretty affordable for us. I have definitely been warned about Coatsville, but wasn't sure about EF. So the bottom line is: Be careful, but we might get lucky and find a nice area?

[Phish Head]

You may get lucky in East Fallowfield, but remember, it's cheaper there for a reason. Everyplace in Chester has been discovered by the masses. I like the area around Honey Brook as well, but it is quite rural and there may not be much to do.

If you are flexible with where to live, I would recommend Bucks County over Chester County. I lived in Bucks for a few years until recently. Whereas Chester is expensive everywhere, Bucks has a few pockets left that are still reasonable. Bucks feels like NJ did 20 years ago. For decent prices and nice areas, look in Quakertown, Perkasie, Springtown. If money is not an issue, the best quality of life is in Upper Makefield, Solebury, and Newtown. Absolutely great places to live. I loved living there but unfortunately my job relocated us back to NJ

[enviroman]

Originally Posted by William shivers

I work as a real estate agent in Delaware cty, havertown, but went to school in west chester and lived in downingtown for a few years. Chester cty has definately been "found". If you want a nice size house and land it's the place to go plus the taxes are'nt to bad. But the prices have definatly gone up!! East fallow will put you in a weaker school district. There are certainly better ones in that area. I do like the bucks and montgomery county areas also. Still good value for your money.

Yep. Delaware County isn't too bad, but it's very crowded. Chester County takes the best of Lancaster County (rural areas with low crime) and its a bit more "modernized." Plus it is closer to Philly.

We're considering a move to Chester County at some point.

[Jacklin]

I'm also planning in E Fallowfield, its not the coatesville city but its Off West Chester Rd, planning a house in Manchester Farms community. Any idea about this location ..

Any suggestions ..

Thanks,
Jack