Which suburb around King of Prussia? (Philadelphia, Chester: townhome, best school districts, college)

[oc2nyc]

We are considering a relocation from OC, Calif. and Bucks County was recommended to us because of the good school districts. I am not familiar with that area as we only have family in NJ and Conn. Is that mostly farm land and rural?

We want to be in a suburb but not out in the middle of nowhere. If you could live in any suburb near KOP where would you live?

[twinmma]

I lived in Bucks, as well as East Coventry. Bucks is very nice and expensive. It is beautiful, but it is about 45 minutes to KOP.
East COventry is in Chester County and it about 20 minutes from KOP. I loved it there (we are selling our townhome b/c we had to move out of town) and they have great schools, as do Bucks.
You also have West Chester and Exton as a choice. These are busier in nature than say East Coventry or Newtown (which is in Bucks)...None of them are really in the middle of nowhere

[rainrock]

Originally Posted by oc2nyc

We are considering a relocation from OC, Calif. and Bucks County was recommended to us because of the good school districts. I am not familiar with that area as we only have family in NJ and Conn. Is that mostly farm land and rural?

We want to be in a suburb but not out in the middle of nowhere. If you could live in any suburb near KOP where would you live?

Bucks Co does have some good school districts but the area surrounding King of Prussia has just as good if not better schools than Bucks County. If you are working in KOP it would not be advantageous to live in Bucks County due to commuting issues.

Kop area is surrounded by suburban office parks, its an economic hub, with lots of management,corporate types, and good schools for their children to go to.

twinma suggested East Coventry and its a beautiful area but you'd be in the same boat as Bucks County- excess commute, great scenery but you somewhat out in the country.

You only have to go 3 or 4 miles to the south of King of Prussia and you are right in the middle of the wealthiest swath of land in Pa. with some of the best public schools.

King of Prussia itself is included in Upper Merion School district which is good but not elite(pass). The best school districts close to KOP are:

Radnor School District(Delaware County) -Towns- Radnor,Villanova,St Davids,Wayne among others.

Tredyffrin-EastownSchool District- (Chester County)-Towns Devon,Paoli,Tredyfrin,Valley Forge,Berwyn

Great Valley (Chester County)Malvern,Charlestown,east Whiteland,Willistown

Lower Merion(Montgomery County)Narberth,Gladwyne,Haverford,Bryn Mawr,Ardmore among others.

You cant go wrong with any of those school districts.^

I will also mention A fast growing newer upscale area on the western edge of the Philadlephia area( 20 minute commute to KOP) is Downingtown/Exton/Chester Springs. KOP you are pretty much in the middle of the western suburbs. Whereas Exton/Downingtown/Chester Springs gives you a little breathing room but its still crowded enough, growing enough that you dont feel like you are out in the sticks.

Good luck

[oc2nyc]

WOW! Thank you for all the great info. I am going to print this out and take with me when we go back for a visit. I love this board, the people of PA are just always so helpful it makes me excited to go back and live there.

[KristyLiz]

Have you considered Limerick and Collegeville (Spring-Ford SD, Perkioman Valley SD and Mathactan SD)? All are nice areas. Good luck!

[twinmma]

E COventry is only a 20 minute commute to KOP-I did it all the time. SO, it is worth considering. As is Chester Springs. (Personally, I do not like DOwnington-too old for my taste)

[lookin'for"home"]

I definitely agree with Rainrock. I can't see the commute from Bucks-regardless of the
mileage- being worth it.

[shellytc]

asking for a client, how are the commutes from subdivisions around KOP to downtown Phillie? Is there a train? what subdivisions would you recommend up to 450K? thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it.

Shelly

[rainrock]

Originally Posted by shellytc

asking for a client, how are the commutes from subdivisions around KOP to downtown Phillie? Is there a train? what subdivisions would you recommend up to 450K? thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it.

Shelly

Theres not much new home development directly around KOP. To the east is Conshocken(small city) then ritzy estates in Gladwyne,Penn Valley,Bryn Mawr $$$. To the south of KOP(Chesterbrooke/ Radnor) $$$$$. KOP is surrounded by Valley Forge National Park to the north and office parks to the south+west. You will have to go a bit north or west to find new housing developments for under $400k. Directly to the S+N+W of KOP is very pricey.

Western points Check into Chester Springs/Exton/Downingtown. Rail service into center City from Exton and Downingtown.

Northern Points- Phoenixville/Collegeville/Skippack/jeffersonville/East Coventry/Pottstown area. Closest Rail station in Norristown.

The further N+W you go the more house you will get for your money.

Average commute into the city will be around 1 hr. from these suburbs.

You might want to google new homes Philadelphia metro.

Good luck

[pennylove76]

I would also suggest West Chester. It is so nice to be able to go out 5 minutes from your home & enjoy live music & feel like you you are in a city atmosphere (dining, wine tastings, pubs & a nice desert & coffee shops). I also think King of Prussia, Malvern Chesterbrook & Paoli are nice. I agree with sme of the other posters that the commute from Bucks County would not be worth it especially as the areas surrounding KOP have some of the best school districts in the state. Actually, I'm pretty sure that TE or Radnor may actually be the best.

I have also heard good things about Bucks County School Districts. However, not to be negative, but was it last year that they kept reporting on the news that the Bucks County School District had a bad gang problem. I remember seeing on the news how a boy could not go to his graduation because he had been threatened by gang members so the school did not want to risk the safety of other people at the event or they may have said it was for his own safety, but they did not let them come to the event.
While I don't think that was an isolated incident as the boy's situation revolved around a prior shooting which he witnessed & testified about, I don't think thatis a reason to stay away from the area as I know the media can sometmes make things seem worse than they are.

Also, In my opinion Limerick looks nice when I drive through it but 422 just does not seem worth the aggravation. Also, those smoke stacks from the nuclear plant always freak me out. I know it's probaly nothing but I have watched & read too many stories about people having issues from living near those things.
Anyway, good luck.