Any suggestions for towns to live in southern PA (Chester County?); husband may be working at APG in Maryland. (Philadelphia: real estate, houses)

[nene70]

I am wondering if anyone could give us areas to look at in the southern PA area that would be in reasonable distance to commute to Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD? My husband's brother lives in West Chester, PA (and I've heard great things about that town) but we are thinking that may push the commute distance over the edge. Any advice would be welcomed!! We are planning a trip up there over Labor day weekend Thanks so much!

[BPP1999]

Assuming you are looking to move to PA to save $, you're not going to find cheap real estate around West Chester (at least not cheap when compared to suburban Baltimore). As a general rule, you're not going to save much (if anything, depending on where you look) in suburban Philadelphia compared to suburban Baltimore.

However, you may find things very reasonably priced in deep southern Chester County, right over the PA/MD border. Check out this link: Map of Oxford, PA by MapQuest, which is of Oxford, PA, and look into towns around these areas. Be warned that these places are pretty far out, even from West Chester. Downtown WC is about 25 miles from Oxford, and Philadelphia is about 55 miles from Oxford.

[nene70]

Thanks BPP1999...we definitely are looking for something a bit in the country (acreage), but would also like to be close to amenities/conveniences. I appreciate your input!

[BPP1999]

Originally Posted by nene70

Thanks BPP1999...we definitely are looking for something a bit in the country (acreage), but would also like to be close to amenities/conveniences. I appreciate your input!

No problem. You can be a bit out in the country and still near things by checking out places like Chadds Ford (Route 1 about 5-6 miles southwest of West Chester) but it will cost you some $$. This is right near Longwood Gardens.

You could also check out areas surrounding Kennett Square, which is a few miles below Chadds Ford on Route 1, but that isn't really cheap, either.

[nene70]

We'll check out those areas as well! Schools are important to us...Greatschools.com is a good resource, but I'd rather hear input from people who actually have first hand knowledge :-)

[Strumphs]

You might want to check out Southern Lancaster County.. like Willow Street (if you want a nice small town that's not too far from the city, and is only 1 hour from Aberdeen), or Quarryville (if you want something out in the country more, with presumably cheaper houses, and a closer commute to Aberdeen but farther from a city).

[nene70]

Thank you for those suggestions. I'm thinking if my husband were to do a one hour commute, we might actually check around West Chester as well. I've heard the school system is really good there. We'll research the towns you just mentioned online, and maybe visit those areas as well next weekend.

[nene70]

Thanks again for the advice. We did go to PA this weekend and enjoyed driving around Chester county. We did not get over to Lancaster county. What is Willow Street and Quarryville like? Are they near any amenities?

[waseely]

As a former resident of Chester County, PA wish you much success in your viewing Lancaster County, especially if you desire good schools and an economically based living. Chester County is loaded with excellent schools, but you will have to have dollars to support them and your lifestyle and Chester County also has some real losers insofar as education. Lancaster County is more realistic both in the cost of homes and the taxation basis as well as providing one with a variety of eateries, many shops which draw people from all over Pennsylvania, a modest bit of transportation and a location which has one of the best Universities - F & M where any persons children can make it fine.

[michgc]

Why not consider Wilmington (around Concord Pike Route 202) or Newark, Delaware?