Opinions on Downingtown (Philadelphia, State College, Chester: homes, safe neighborhoods, new construction)

[shortygal201]

We are looking to relocate in the near future and I was wondering about Downingtown. We are a younger couple with a son in elementary school. Does Downingtown have good schools and safe neighborhoods? Also activities like soccer and boy scouts are something we'd like to have access to.

Any info is appreciated!!

[rainrock]

The town of Downingtown itself is probably 250 years old and it might show its age. The surrounding hills are very nice and filling up fast with new developments. Places like Exton,Chester Springs,Lionville,Uwchlan, East Bradford,Caln Township are beautiful.

The area is growing pretty quickly and has very good schools and excellent soccer programs. Downingtown West High School was ranked #1 in soccer in the entire Philadelphia region in both boys and girls programs.

Very nice area.

[twinmma]

I think Owen J Roberts schools are better...

[toobusytoday]

Why do you say that twinmma? I mean we all like to think that our own schools are the best, but it's actually better if people like different places and have their own priorities. If you go by the numbers, Schools, High School, Public Schools, School District, Public High Schools - SchoolMatters rates Downingtown pretty well, better then Owen J. Roberts anyway.

We lived in Downingtown for four years (just outside the borough) and very much enjoyed it. I liked the small town feel. There's an awesome fourth of July celebration that the whole town participates in. Yes, it's a place full of sprawl but I think it's also a nice place to raise a family.

[twinmma]

I too lived in DOwnington, so I have experienced both. I just liked Owen J ROberts better...And, I don't know if the data the website you gave is reporting correctly. If you go to Owen J Roberts district page and read through their stats, they are much higher than what this site is reporting.
And, this is just my opinion.

[twinmma]

Oh, and I must add that I didn't find Downingtown to be unsafe, but I sure as heck didn't find it the safest spot in Chester County. Personally, I like West Chester, Exton, Chester Springs, E Coventry...But that is my taste. I like something a little more...I don't know the word. Downington is older to me and the other places I mentioned have much newer sections and stores(aside from the new construction they are putting in the middle of no where in downingtown. We looked at those homes and didn't like them, again our taste.

[toobusytoday]

Fair enough twinmma. We also lived in Garnet Valley School district and I liked that better and like our area of Lehigh county even more but the OP was asking if Downingtown had good schools, if it was safe, etc. It has all that, right?

[twinmma]

Lehigh county IS beautiful, I must say. If I could pick anywhere in PA to live, I think it would be State College, but that is a little Penn State talking, lol!

[thenewmainline]

Here's the real deal: OJ Roberts is Pottstown, therefore you will have a different element/demographic in that community. D'town IS a better school but I still get annoyed when I hear that it is being called a great school district.

A good example of a great SD is: TE, Council Rock, Unionville. Everything else pales in comparison. However, I'm sure some kids in the Coatsville SD get into Princeton as well. May not be that many of them, however.

Chester Springs has an excellent school called the Waldorf school. It is far superior than anything else in the area. Still not as good as Agnes Irwin and Baldwin.

[rainrock]

Originally Posted by thenewmainline

A good example of a great SD is: TE, Council Rock, Unionville. Everything else pales in comparison.

Actually Unionville and Council Rock pale in comparison to Lower Merion, Radnor and TE. Thats not to take anything away from Unionville and CR as they are very fine school districts.