Taking recommendations - Small towns outside of Philadelphia (Reading, Chester: real estate, renting)

[CA2CT2MA2PA]

So, I am on the move again, and after relocating from Southern California to Litchfield County, CT less than two years ago, and then again to Western Massachusettss shortly thereafter, on my way again to the Philadelphia area for a new job.

But, longing to find a place with the small, country feel that drew me to the Connecticut countryside, a la Currier & Ives appeal and where the NY "weekenders" go for an escape.

Need to be within reasonable driving distance to Newtown Square and I will be renting, not buying, at this point.

All suggestions and questions are appreciated!

Will be making the move in the next month.

[OperegrineO]

I would be interested to know about this too, for the future. Are there any nice small, country towns near Philly? I'll be moving there soon and living in the city for the next 3-5 years while I attend graduate school, but I would eventually like to move to the country...staying in the area would be great.

[rainrock]

Originally Posted by CA2CT2MA2PA

So, I am on the move again, and after relocating from Southern California to Litchfield County, CT less than two years ago, and then again to Western Massachusettss shortly thereafter, on my way again to the Philadelphia area for a new job.

But, longing to find a place with the small, country feel that drew me to the Connecticut countryside, a la Currier & Ives appeal and where the NY "weekenders" go for an escape.

Need to be within reasonable driving distance to Newtown Square and I will be renting, not buying, at this point.

All suggestions and questions are appreciated!

Will be making the move in the next month.

Newtown Square is in the western suburbs. NS is sort of the transition area from older 50's suburbia to newer more upscale suburbia, then you get into rural/country the further west you go.

Not sure what your budget is but I would recommend researching Media, Upper Providence + Edgmont (Delaware County) and Willistown,East Goshen,West Goshen,Westtown(Chester County) All surround Newtown Square.

Peeking at a map, once you hit Route 202 and points West + North you really start getting into very nice country like settings.Horse country.

Towns. West of Newtown Square

West Chester

Chadds Ford

Kennett Square-

Towns. North of Newtown Square

Valley Forge

Chester Springs

Yellow Springs

Ludwigs Corner

Coventry Township

Good luck.

[CA2CT2MA2PA]

Hello! Thank you for these suggestions - will certainly take a look!

[TravelSheila]

Depends on what you mean by reasonable driving distance? I used to live in/around Coventry Township and West Chester. I'd expect it to be a good hour to Newtown Square from Coventry, unless you leave at 6am. (Not sure about the West Chester commute.) Route 422 (runs west from King of Prussia to Reading), Rte 76 (western suburbs to Philly) and Rte 476 ("The Blue Route") are notorious for back ups. Might want to check message boards for commuting info before you decide. I LOVE Chester County, but commuting from there to the city can be a bear. (fyi: Newtown Square's in Delaware County. Chester County's to the west.)

[CA2CT2MA2PA]

Good point on the commute...in coming from Los Angeles, of course, I'm rather numb to what a "reasonable" driving distance is :-) But, I would prefer not to be sitting in the car for an hour each way in getting to Newtown Square - that would certainly consume a lot of my personal time. Just would like to avoid the "burbs" if I can and had really fallen in love with smaller "quaint" town life in Connecticut and was hoping to be able to grab some of that back if I could!

[fearless halo]

If you live in or around West Chester the drive will suck! 202 is a beast especially during rush hour but also even on the weekends. It takes 30 to 40 minutes just to drive 10 miles.

[orrmobl]

Valley Forge and Phoenixville get my vote

[PeeAye Native]

Originally Posted by fearless halo

If you live in or around West Chester the drive will suck! 202 is a beast especially during rush hour but also even on the weekends. It takes 30 to 40 minutes just to drive 10 miles.

It is true Rt 202 traffic is terrible during commute time. However, no one would take 202 to get from West Chester to Newtown Square. The route for West Chester to Newtown Square is Rt 3, a.k.a. West Chester Pike, and there are several variations of parallel arterial roads to that, Goshen Rd is one example.

To the OP, if you draw a line on a map from Netwown Square west to West Chester, then north to Chester Springs then NE to the southern part of Phoenixville, and then back to the starting point in Newtown Square, you will many Currier & Ives like settings in there. There are multiple locations, that they cover multiple townships and municipalities in there. The list above is a start, I think this is a case where you can get a lot of mileage out of a good real estate agent who knows that particular area.

[pman]

id vote against valley forge theres no town. kennett square...recently ranked a top small town in america by frommers...sounds up your alley