Living in West Chester vs Wilmington for job in Newark, DE. (Unionville: schools, area)

[b-nasty]

I like Kennett (and West Chester), but anyone saying Kennett has any kind of nightlife is crazy. There is almost nothing going on past 9PM. West Chester, though not much larger, has far more nightlife just due to the college crowd. Kennett, being a wealthy area like most of Chester County, does have some great restaurants, but don't expect that to carry over to a good time at the bar.

[Mimidae]

Originally Posted by rowhomecity

Wilmington is an odd city. Not a lot of nightlife. There are definitely some things going on. But just seemed not very community based. Bars close at 12 AM for example.

That is incorrect. And there's been an explosion of nightlife in the past year.

[Mimidae]

Originally Posted by rowhomecity

With all the talk of Trolley Square I expected something halfway decent. There are probably 2 restaurants and 2 solid bars. Other than that. Not alot going on.

That is also incorrect.

And why are we trying to sell OP on Kennett? (Outdoor cafes? What?) His girlfriend lives there. He knows.

[Wishingicouldbe123]

I am a newbie to the DE area but my boyfriend went to West Chester and we now live in Newark De where he commutes into Wilmington everyday for his job there. I unfortunately have to commute into Philly so i am in a sorta similar position. My boyfriend and I love Chester county in PA. I think it has great schools if you plan on having kids, it has beautiful houses galore and there are so many little towns you can live in. West Chester is super close to Victory brewing company if you haven't tried that out i HIGHLY recommend. I would love to live in West Chester if i could, its so close to many things the area has to offer like you said, also a short 25 mins to the biggest mall KOP but is unfortunately a horrible commute to work in the city in my case.

But i understand your need to want to be close to work, thus moving to DE. It definitely isn't "close" to commute from WC to Newark. If you live in Wilmington, it would cut around 20 extra minutes from your drive, but there is LESS in the area than in PA from what ive gathered from living here. So there are pros and cons. Live in a fun area and have a horrible commute to work, or have a short commute to work and spend your weekends driving to fun areas, you pick your posion. The Wilmington Water front from what ive seen has a decent amount of fancy looking apartment buildings, we pass them every week going to eat at Iron Hill (recommend the philly cheese steak egg rolls). It seems that they are trying to get some young people in the area with those apartments.... Recommend looking there,

[Philly246]

Originally Posted by Mimidae

That is incorrect. And there's been an explosion of nightlife in the past year.

LOL. Sorry. Wilmington is terrible.

[rowhomecity]

Originally Posted by Mimidae

That is incorrect. And there's been an explosion of nightlife in the past year.

It is not incorrect. People rat on Pennsylvania liquor laws. But Delaware has more strict laws.

Last call in Delaware is 1245 AM and most bars close up well before then. I use to live in Wilmington and Delaware's archaic liquor laws absolutely kill its nightlife scene. It basically does not exist.

And to consider Joe's Crab Shack and Iron Hill Brewery as having a nightlife in Wlimington Waterfront is a joke in of itself.

Trolley Square has about 2 restaurants and 2 bars worth visiting. The area is very small with not that much to offer. I use to live there. I know. It is a cute area for sure. But it in no way is a booming neighborhood in terms of nightlife.

West Chester 100% has more to offer than Trolley Square or Wilmington's Waterfront.

[civis]

Originally Posted by b-nasty

I like Kennett (and West Chester), but anyone saying Kennett has any kind of nightlife is crazy. There is almost nothing going on past 9PM. West Chester, though not much larger, has far more nightlife just due to the college crowd. Kennett, being a wealthy area like most of Chester County, does have some great restaurants, but don't expect that to carry over to a good time at the bar.

Out of curiosity, Kennett Square appears to have rather bad public schools, where do upper middle-class families living there send their kids to? Any good private schools nearby?

[selhars]

I guess Wilmington does work as being equidistant to Kennet Square and Newark.

Given that it has a residents' wage tax I'd live just outside the city up route 52 or 100....and if I have to ... I'd hop in the car for a 10 minute jaunt to whatever nightlife I wanted.

But for me daily commute is THE factor for where I live.
I go to work more often than I go out to eat or to some venue. So commute has to be the most convenient thing in my day-to-day life.

If the commute is short, you'll have time to do anything else you want to do. But if you're commute is an hour each way -- two hours a day total, how much. time is really left for the other things you'd like to do?

[Pocopsonite]

Originally Posted by civis

Out of curiosity, Kennett Square appears to have rather bad public schools, where do upper middle-class families living there send their kids to? Any good private schools nearby?

Many neighborhoods with a Kennett Square mailing address are in the Unionville/Chadds Ford School District. It's a very good district; here's some info:

https://www.greatschools.org/pennsyl...hool-district/

https://www.usnews.com/education/bes...h-school-17392

There are several private schools in Delaware that Kennett-area kids attend. There are also private schools in northern Chester County, but those would be a longer commute from Kennett Square.

[selhars]

Dang this thread is a year old. The OP has likely made his decision.