Wallingford, PA (Chester, Springfield, Nether Providence Township: real estate, rentals, crime)

[dahu]

Hi all,

We're going to be moving to work at UPenn. After visiting the main line, we decided it was too busy and not quaint enough. We've heard Swarthmore described as a more small-town alternative and as "intelligent" and "granola", which sounds good to us! From what we've seen online, though, houses seem to be either huge and expensive (600-800k) or a bit small (3bed, 300-350k). Wallingford seems to have more availability in-between, but we can't find out anything about the town. Is it similar in character to Swarthmore? Or does it have a different feel to it?

Also, are there bad areas to stay away from in either town?

Thank you for any help!

Anne

[BPP1999]

Actually, Wallingford/Nether Providence was just ranked as #7 on Money's Best Places list. One of the pros was nice homes in a "green" setting but still near the city. Real estate taxes are going to be relatively high (average per the ranking was $7k if I'm not mistaken), but they are going to be generally high in Delaware County. Where are you moving from?

Downtown Swarthmore is a liberal college town. I think it's small, but rather quaint. Also kind of quiet. Downtown Media is bigger than Swarthmore, and also a quaint, neat area. Good schools in both. Wallingford doesn't really have a downtown, but it's close enough to both Swarthmore and Media.

Right near these areas is Springfield, which is, IMO, busier than the Main Line, but I think you will find these areas somewhat secluded even though 2 interstates (476 and 95) are less than 5 minutes away.

[rainrock]

Wallingford is borough in Nether Providence Township. Very nice area. Its got an old english village look to it.Lots of ivy,flora,forest. Single family homes anywhere from 5-75 years old. Media is a 5 minute car ride away, it has a nice little mainstreet usa feel to it. Swarthmore doesn't have much of a downtown, its more noted for its college( #1 or #2 rated liberal arts college in the usa) and its huge old stone mansions.

I would say Wallingford has a bit more suburban feel to it than Swarthmore or media.Definitely more auto oriented.No crime to speak of. Easy commute to Penn. You are on the right path.

[dahu]

Thank you BPP1999 and rainrock for your insights and encouragement!

We're coming from Ithaca, NY, so a liberal college town sounds good to us. Good to read the Best Places report, and important to know that Wallingford is more of a suburban car culture. Sounds like we should focus on Swarthmore, but keep Wallingford in mind as a possibility. Thanks.

[Wanna Leave Penciltucky]

We lived there. The traffic is bad. Takes over 20 mins to go 3 lights. If your going to go throigh all of that look at Springfield and Media as well. Same bad traffic. Media has a better downtown. Being in a college town has it's downs too.

[dahu]

Wanna Leave Penciltucky:

Do you mean the traffic is terrible in Wallingford, or Swarthmore, or both?

I agree there are downsides to college towns. There must be areas dominated by student rentals and fraternities?

Thanks!

[BPP1999]

Traffic isn't that bad in those areas (but maybe Springfield)!

Taxes are definately going to be high, especially in Swarthmore. Coming from NY, they may not be so bad, comparably speaking, but I don't think Ithaca (Ithaca is Gorges) homes have taxes from $7-$12k.

[Wanna Leave Penciltucky]

Wallingford and Swathmore all pool out into the same major roads. Traffic is horrible. Make sure you adjust your commute to include a bank of 20-30 extra mins to get anyplace on time. Try going to the target on Baltimore pike or the Trader joes on Saturday morning. Eat a breakfast first. I love the area though. I go there to shop often.

[3littlerascals]

I agree with WLP that the traffic is pretty bad but I don't think it's any worse than a lot of other areas within such close proximity to a mall and a boatload of big box stores.
Some people don't mind dealing with the congestion to be close to things. Me? I don't want to sit in traffic just to go get a gallon of milk.
Wallingford/Swarthmore/Media/Nether Providence - all nice areas. Parts of Wallingford and Swarthmore are a little close to Chester for my taste though.

[metmom006]

I think most of delaware county has traffic issues.