tell me about Phoenixville (Chester, Johnstown: transplants, house prices, schools)

[maestro]

I've read good things about Phoenixville (up and coming downtown, decent house prices) and I've read so-so things about it as well (kind of dumpy).

What's the real scoop? Is it really an up and coming burb? What's the vibe in its downtown/Bridge St. area? How are the schools?

[orrmobl]

Sounds like you have a pretty good handle on it...up and coming, has an older downtown which is attempting to revitalize, some areas are kind of dumpy, some streets are hillsides so you get houses with 45+ degree backyards...kind of reminds me of the little coal towns all over PA...Jim Thorpe, Johnstown...there are developments with McMansions further out of town...seems to be a popular place for all the pharmaceutical industry transplants as 3 companies are all located nearby. Other than that, I would skip unless price is your number one consideration...

Phoenixville schools are 73rd out of 500 in PA so they are pretty good...

[maestro]

Originally Posted by orrmobl

Sounds like you have a pretty good handle on it...up and coming, has an older downtown which is attempting to revitalize, some areas are kind of dumpy, some streets are hillsides so you get houses with 45+ degree backyards...kind of reminds me of the little coal towns all over PA...Jim Thorpe, Johnstown...there are developments with McMansions further out of town...seems to be a popular place for all the pharmaceutical industry transplants as 3 companies are all located nearby. Other than that, I would skip unless price is your number one consideration...

Phoenixville schools are 73rd out of 500 in PA so they are pretty good...

is there an similar town that you would suggest (same downtown vibe, decent homes in most areas, similar housing costs) but with better schools?

[flowergarden]

If you are looking for great schools in the Pheonixville area you may want to consider Tredyffrin and Great Valley. In Tredyffrin townhomes run between 350,000 to 450,000. 4 Br 2.5 bath homes run from 450,000 (albiet older and smaller) to 700,000. There are million dollar homes available, but that is not the norm here. I'm not as familiar with Great Valley, but I know the schools are good and the housing market is a bit newer and cheaper. Tredyffin/Eastown in ranked 78th in the country by US News and World Report, if that is important to you. Bascially, T/E is a fabulous district, but it is a bit of a pressure cooker. It really depends on your child and what your expectations are of them. They also offer great learning support services.

[thesixth]

West Chester is a good town to consider.