Moving to the Philadelphia area! (Allentown, Chester: to rent, houses, school districts)

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by AirbusFlyer

Thanks for the responses! Yes, I'm with American Airlines. Legacy AA as we call it, meaning pre merger with US Airways. So I'm lucky that we have a PHL base now.

I actually originally considered Media. I still love almost everything about it. The only reasons it got knocked down my list a little was it's close proximity to some less desirable areas (Chester) and I saw that most homes are rentals? Not sure, but I would hate to get in a bidding war with investors. Also, I could be wrong but there doesn't seem to be as much greenery compared to places like Chester County. Again, I could be way off base on all those points and so I'm still very much open to Media/Swarthmore.

Chester and Montgomery counties seem to strike a good balance of what I'm looking for. But I am open minded for any other suggestions. And no, I'm definitely NOT a Cowboys fan

Not freakin' likely.

Yes, Media is majority renter; 55 percent of borough residents rent. But almost all of those residents rent from just one landlord:

Media Real Estate Company, a family-run firm that has been in business for more than 75 years (the company needs to update the numbers on its website; it was founded in 1945).

The family that runs Media Real Estate see themselves as deeply invested in Media — and they are, literally. They buy, hold and manage their rental assets with an eye on ensuring long-run satisfaction for both them and their tenants. There's not much speculative buying on the part of rental investors in Media because almost all the rentals are owned by this company.

[Avalon08]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

Not freakin' likely.

Yes, Media is majority renter; 55 percent of borough residents rent. But almost all of those residents rent from just one landlord:

Media Real Estate Company, a family-run firm that has been in business for more than 75 years (the company needs to update the numbers on its website; it was founded in 1945).

The family that runs Media Real Estate see themselves as deeply invested in Media — and they are, literally. They buy, hold and manage their rental assets with an eye on ensuring long-run satisfaction for both them and their tenants. There's not much speculative buying on the part of rental investors in Media because almost all the rentals are owned by this company.

Is that true of single-family homes in Media, too? It's just that back when I lived there (in the area), at least, most single-family neighborhoods were majority homeowners. Is the 55% because there are several apartment complexes in Media?

To the OP, I lived for a few years in Brookhaven, which is RIGHT NEXT TO Chester, and it wasn't a problem -- other than having to drive through a bit of Chester on my way to 95. So I don't think that's a factor in your consideration of Media.

[thedirtypirate]

Yeah, there's no bleed over from Chester City. I'm honestly surprised to see the renter % that high in Media. Is it because of the proximity to the airport? I assume there are other towns that have a lot of airline employees too.

[AirbusFlyer]

I'm definitely keeping Media as an option. I really like most things about it.

Does anyone have any insights into Chester County? Particularly the middle part near West Chester and Exton, but anywhere really. Just trying to get a feel for the overall vibe, lifestyle, what people are like, etc.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by AirbusFlyer

I'm definitely keeping Media as an option. I really like most things about it.

Does anyone have any insights into Chester County? Particularly the middle part near West Chester and Exton, but anywhere really. Just trying to get a feel for the overall vibe, lifestyle, what people are like, etc.

The Chester County seat of West Chester ranks up there with Media for the vibrancy of its downtown.

Said downtown stretches over several blocks of four (or more) different streets, but it also has plenty of places to eat and drink along with many unique shops.

A lot of the arts-and-culture offerings in the borough take place on the campus of West Chester University, south of the downtown. I suspect you'd want to avoid buying in the neighborhoods around the campus, but that still leaves the entire northern half of the borough for you to house-shop.

[TLC1957]

I have posted this many times our overview of West Chester.

Lived in rural NJ, with few restaurants and entertainment and retired in 2015 and moved to West Chester Borough, we love it. People are very friendly, the town has a community spirit, downtown is alive with always something going on, tons of places to explore, live theater, 75 plus restaurants and many shops. The Halloween and Christmas parades are amazing and not to be missed. It seems they always have something going on downtown where they shut down the streets and have a great time. Here is the Borough Parks and Recreational web site to give you and idea of the things happening.

https://west-chester.com/139/Parks-Recreation


If you love gardens Longwood Gardens is 20 min drive, amazing place a must see. We are members and visit many times during the year. https://longwoodgardens.org
Just a short drive away are more gardens are in Delaware

https://www.visitwilmingtonde.com/th...tions/gardens/

With a tradition of horticulture going back 300 years, Philadelphia is America’s Garden Capital.
Visit more than 30 public gardens, arboreta, and historic landscapes, all located within 30 miles of our landmark city.

Philadelphia is America's Garden Capital

If you like mansions more in Delaware with many DuPont family homes and other attractions.

https://www.visitwilmingtonde.com/th...o/attractions/

The area around West Chester has many walking and bicycle trails.

https://www.chescoplanning.org/resou...circuittrails/

Delaware the place with no sales taxes(think liquor, stoves, tv, washer/dryer, etc.) is 20 mins away. Train service to Philly is 15mins away in Exton, local train you are in center city in 55 minutes . You can be in the country in 10 mins. Schools are rated very high. Tons of shopping nearby, King of Prussia mall is 20 mins away, largest mall in the east. Many others malls in the area. The Philadelphia Airport is 40 minutes away.

West Chester is a university town, West Chester University with about 13K students on and off campus, if that bothers you may not like it. You have to be careful not to live near student housing, this website from the borough lists all student housing
http://www.west-chester.com/DocumentCenter/View/34
With that said we have had no problems living near the university. We take advantage of the many free concerts, lectures, etc the university has to offer. The University has a large music program with many talented students. We attend quality concerts 2-3 nights a week, all for free.

https://www.wcupa.edu/music/eventsCalendar.aspx#/?i=1

The local police and campus security keep close tabs on the students and pretty much do not put up with a lot of stuff. Our encounter with students have been great, we were moving in a couch and struggling when all of the sudden it got lighter, a few big guys saw us and stopped and helped and would not take anything for their time.

Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center http://uptownwestchester.org provides live theater, and concerts.

Also the University has live theater, concerts and lectures for a fee. https://www.wcupa.edu/oca/wcuLive/

Some streets parking can be a problem so look for homes with off street parking or where parking is not restricted. They love to give out $25 parking tickets! Here is a map http://www.west-chester.com/DocumentCenter/View/764 of where parking is controlled.

Homes can come on the market and be gone in a few hours or a day or so.

When we were looking to move out of NJ,we looked at Media, Chestnut Hill, Phoenixville, Doyestown and several places in Delaware and settled on West Chester a decision we do not regret at all.

More info here
http://www.visitphilly.com/towns/west-chester/

Great blog on West Chester

https://hellowestchesterpa.com

Overview of West Chester

https://savingplaces.org/stories/how...n#.YmztLBopChA

Chester County Parks and Playgrounds

https://westchesterpa.macaronikid.co...and-recreation


Good overview video of the Borough


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylgsGKtvROY

Good luck in your search.

[Physics Guy]

Originally Posted by TLC1957

When we were looking to move out of NJ,we looked at Media, Chestnut Hill, Phoenixville, Doyestown and several places in Delaware and settled on West Chester a decision we do not regret at all.

May I ask what parts of Delaware you looked at? I'm finding little information on places in Delaware similar to the places you list other than Dover. Really I haven't found much about Dover either.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by Physics Guy

May I ask what parts of Delaware you looked at? I'm finding little information on places in Delaware similar to the places you list other than Dover. Really I haven't found much about Dover either.

Most likely northern New Castle County, the part near Delaware's circular border with Pennsylvania. Most of the pharma firms that call Delaware home have their headquarters in Wilmington's northern suburbs.

Google "Brandywine Hundred" and see what you find.

[TLC1957]

Originally Posted by Physics Guy

May I ask what parts of Delaware you looked at? I'm finding little information on places in Delaware similar to the places you list other than Dover. Really I haven't found much about Dover either.

We looked at Hockessin, Newark near the University and Dover in De. We knew West Chester well since our daughter graduated the University a few years before we retired.

[PhilaSnob]

Originally Posted by AirbusFlyer

I'm definitely keeping Media as an option. I really like most things about it.

Does anyone have any insights into Chester County? Particularly the middle part near West Chester and Exton, but anywhere really. Just trying to get a feel for the overall vibe, lifestyle, what people are like, etc.

Beautiful area with proximity to both downtown West Chester and Exton’s new “Main Street” shopping area. There are a few breweries and hip things but mostly you’ll find big box retailers. There is a Whole Foods in exton which I find as a plus. You can generally larger houses for a good price (compared to Media which I personally think is overrated). The area has a heavy Indian population near Exton.