Where to live in Buck County (Philadelphia, Chester: home, neighborhoods, school district)

[oc2nyc]

We are pondering the thought of relocating to the East Coast. Our first choice was NJ or Conn because we have family there but the property taxes are a bit out of control. We are currently in So. Cal and want a lower cost of living but NJ seems just as, or more expensive than Orange County. A few people have told us to check out Bucks County since my husband's office would be in King of Prussia. He will work from home but may have to go into the office once or twice a month. My question is where are the good neighborhoods in Bucks County? We need a good school district and would like a home no more than $800,000 with at least 4 bedrooms. We also want something not very rural and close to amenities. We are used to traffic but not used to bad weather so driving miles to a grocery store would not be good. Any suggestions would be great!

[gzjht1]

Would suggest you check out Yardley and Lower Makefield (Pennsbury School District) or Newtown (Council Rock School District). Good neighborhoods and easy access to I-95 and PA Turnpike. Property taxes around $6K in Lower Makefield on 4BR house. Parts of Langhorne that border Newtown and Yardley worth considering. All are easily accessible from shopping.

[rainrock]

If King of Prussia will be an occassional workbase you might be better off in Montgomery,Chester or Delaware Counties. Bucks County is very nice but its just as nice , if not moreso, in those other 3 counties and its much closer to KOP. Bucks is the most rural of all the 4 PA. counties surrounding Philadelphia, for me theres just more happening in Montgomery,Chester, and Delaware Counties. That being said Bucks County has some incredible areas such as Doylestown,New Hope,Upper + Lower Makefield,Yardley, Newtown, Washingtons Crossing.

At your price range Id suggest looking along the Mainline(Berwyn-Radnor-Villanova-Bryn Mawr-Gladwyne-Penn Valley-Haverford) This area would be Philadelphias version of Beverly HIlls. This is where the people that need to be noticed, live.

Valley Forge,Chester Springs,Great Valley,Charlestown Township,Pickering Valley,Lionville,Malvern,West Chester are a bit newer, more spread out. Close to KOP, great schools, beautiful landscapes.

Good luck

[oc2nyc]

Thank you
Rain rock just wondering if those that you mentioned in our price range (Berwyn,Radnor, Villanova etc.) are actually towns or housing developments?
ONce again thank you for all the great info it gives me a great start.

[newmarlig]

They are towns.

[rainrock]

They are towns but they tend to be on the secluded side with empahasis on residential. Although neighboring less affluent towns have plenty of shopping/bars/restaurants etc.

Radnor,Gladwyne,Villanova,Penn Valley,Bryn Mawr,Haverford are old school, this area looks like you are in the middle of Sherwood forest.No new housing developments here.Stone mansions,English tudors, French second empire, 50 acre estates.Windy roads,hilly, and green as far as the eye can see. This is where most of the old money in the Philadelphia area settled. Some great properties here.

Berwyn,Willistown Township,Great Valley,West Chester is a bit more open, less foresty. Newer,fresher,new housing developments etc..

[Will Kelly]

Your budget can get you alot in this current market. There are a number of higher end builders in Bucks and Montgomery counties who are offering great incentives.

I would look at the following areas as well as the other suggestions.

Skippack
Harleysville
Blue Bell
Collegeville
Doylestown
Chalfont
New Britain


All the best,

Will

http://www.pennrealtylink.com