Need Advice On Where To Live For City Military People moving to Oxford, PA (Lancaster: appointed)

[lostsurfergirl]

Hello,
My husband and I will be moving to PA at the end of April. My husband is a Marine recruiter and we are looking to be stationed in Oxford. Both my husband and I are city people. I am from southern California and my husband is from Arizona. This will be a huge change for us! So, I am trying to do some research on the area and surrounding areas. We are looking for some place that has fast food, Target, Wal*Mart, and a mall within driving distance. We want to live in an area that has nice homes, but everyone still has their own space. We are fine driving 15 - 30min to a city. Mainly a home outside of a city. Our price range for a home is 200 thousand. We have no kids, but I know schools are important when it comes to reselling. Looking for a 2 bedroom, one bath home, but if we can get more rooms, always a plus. We are not really small town people, but don't mind it if we can drive to a city pretty easy. Oh, I also want to go back to college. A community college would be great. I know it's lots to ask, but any advice? Maybe you could post where you like living and why you like it there. Would love some pros and cons of areas. Advice on what to look for or watch out for. Thank you so much!

[rainrock]

You are in for culture shock. Oxford is Very quiet with lots of green space, lots of farms.

Its a peaceful, beautiful area.The only con is that Oxford is a bit isolated.But I think you could find a nice house in and around Oxford and I don't think you'd be terribly disappointed. You are far enough away from the 6 million people trying to get in and around the Philadlephia area but close enough to occassionally enjoy some of the better options the Philadlephia area has to offer. I think its about 45- miles west of Philly.But only 20 miles away from some of the nicer Philly suburbs.

Other options:

Keep in mind the highways out in this area are pretty stress free. Very easy commutes.
Kennett Square (20 minutes)
West Chester( 30-40 minutes)
Lancaster( 40-50 minutes)
Newark Delaware (30 minutes)

West Chester University is a very good school. West Chester is one of the better small towns in SE Pa..Great town to live in. You could probably find a modest house in town at your price range, the surrounding area of West Chester is very very expensive.

Kennett Square and Oxford you will be able to buy more house for your money but those areas are a bit more countryish. Kennet Square has a Walmart and Target Walgreens etc. Not sure about Oxford. The good news is that both of those areas are growing slowly but surely.


Good luck.

[lostsurfergirl]

Thank you so much for your advice. We are so desperate to find out all we can. This is all new and I have no idea where to start to get information. Not really country people though. We didn't choose Oxford and don't have to live right in Oxford. That is just where they told us we would be going. We can commute if it means living in an area that isn't really a city, but has most city conveniences like the Wal*Mart and Target with some well known dinning such as Outback or Applebees. Looking more to live on the outskirts of these places. We really don't want a country area because we will only be living there for 3 years and will need to sell our home when we leave. My husband will need to be able to come in contact with many people since he is a recruiter. Thank you again for all your help and to anyone else who helps us.