Need some info about West Chester, PA (Philadelphia, Phoenixville: crime rate, houses)

[NomadGirl27]

I've lived all over the country and I am currently living in Austin, TX. I grew up on the east coast mostly and am looking to go back to my roots within the next year to be close to family (living in Northeast PA and others in Rehoboth Beach, DE)

We've been looking into West Chester, PA recently. We are a young family with a two year old daughter. We are looking for a safe, very WALKABLE, downtown with plenty of things to do, friendly people, decent housing.

So I guess my questions are: Are the people in West Chester open to outsiders? Are they friendly people in general?

I went to visit West Chester once a few weeks ago and just drove through. I didn't see a single grocery store. I REALLY would like to live in a place where we can walk or bike to most places. WHERE is the closest grocery store to downtown West Chester? Would you have to drive there?

We also went through Media, PA. It seemed like a decent town but it didn't really have that much going on. This is why we are asking about West Chester. It seemed like there was a bit more going on there.

Also, are there many jobs in West Chester or do most people commute to Philly?

Any advice helps! I appreciate it

[toobusytoday]

Nomadgirl, I think West Chester and Media are very similar towns and I like them both. Personally, I like Media just a tad more because it has a Trader Joe's. I think you really have to spend a little time in both to get a good picture. I'm not sure what kind of activitities you want "going on" but both places have things like restaurant weeks, and street festivals. West Chester has the college right there so you have the college student influence and you can take advantage of things like plays and performances.

Media is closer to Philadelphia and I think has more of a city vibe, but that just be my impression. Coincidentally, my oldest son was born in West Chester and my youngest in Media so I have my own reasons for liking both towns!

[rainrock]

Did you consider Center City Philadlephia? It will pleasantly surprise you, it has an amazing combination of vibrancy and peacefulness. Its well worth a visit although its among the priciest neighborhoods in the region.

Chestnut HIll, Doylestown,Wayne, Ardmore,Newtown,New Hope + Yardley are other towns you can add to West Chester + Media for having walkable downtowns.


Yes people in West Chester are friendly.
West Chester has a couple Acmes,Giants + a Shop Rite nearby. They are not right in the little downtown area but probably less than a mile away on local roads like Downingtown Pike,West Chester Pike+202. There are also a couple smaller speciality markets in town itself. Keep in mind West Chester is a college town (WCU) and there will be lots of young partying kids making lots of noise come fall.

You mentioned walking and biking so keep in mind Media has Ridley Creek State Park right next to it which has 50 miles of hiking + biking trails. But yes Media is pretty much a family town with lil happening after dark. The weekends can be vibrant but its a quiet town overall.

Good luck

[NomadGirl27]

Thank you so much for your replies!

The reason we haven't really looked into parts of Philly are the higher taxes. We would like to be in a city but don't really want to deal with the very high cost of not-so-great housing and the high taxes. Also, I've heard the crime can be bad at times. I'm sorry if this is offensive to some of the locals on here and I know that crime doesn't always happen in some places in Philly but it seems like it is much more likely to happen the closer you get to Philly as opposed to being out in places like West Chester.

As far as West Chester goes, does most of the town roll up the sidewalks at 8pm or is there at least a little bit going on? The reason I ask is because we like to take walks at night and it's cool to have some stores open, some other people walking around.

[rainrock]

Originally Posted by NomadGirl27

The reason we haven't really looked into parts of Philly are the higher taxes. We would like to be in a city but don't really want to deal with the very high cost of not-so-great housing and the high taxes. Also, I've heard the crime can be bad at times. I'm sorry if this is offensive to some of the locals

No apologees necessary. Center City residents are a pretty self assured bunch who dont get offended easily nor should they as Center City is bar none the class of the region as far as walkability,vibrancy and entertainment is concerned.If you do decide to move this way you should try to at least make an occassional visit to Center City.

As far as West Chester goes, does most of the town roll up the sidewalks at 8pm or is there at least a little bit going on? The reason I ask is because we like to take walks at night and it's cool to have some stores open, some other people walking around.

WC has a pretty impressive night scene given the small size of its downtown. There are micro breweries and a couple dozen good sized restaurants/bars/cafes. Its definitely a walkable town after dark.

Good luck.

[toobusytoday]

Nothing like 12,800 college students to keep a city up a little late!

[rainrock]

Even in the summer the restaurants and bars are very well patronized. Its not a closing-time town during the summer weeks but there are plenty of people out and about till 10-11 pm. I try to avoid WC during the fall + spring semesters.

[sbhubbell]

You should also check out downtown Phoenixville! A little smaller but becoming very trendy and busy and you can walk to lots of places (including the Acme) very safely. It has been totally revitalized in the past three or so years and there is much more yet to come.

[giveitstraight]

I would take a shot and say that you sound like a pretty outgoing person (moving around the country, currently living in Texas!). Like you, I too have lived around the country, in places such as Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Florida, and California. As a matter of fact, I was born in Northeast, PA.

My wife and I live in West Chester with our 3 year old son. We have been here for about 3 years, and are 5 minutes from downtown West Chester. What I would say about West Chester is:

- Reasonable taxes
- Beautiful open space suburban environment
- Great parks (more park space than population density)
- Very safe, crime rate among the lowest in the state

As far as wanting to bike around to places - forget it. You will need a car, unless you are a serious bicyclist that doesn't mind leaving the family at home while you bike on high traffic roads.

Downtown West Chester is quaint, and my wife and I go from time to time, but unless you party alot (which we don't), you will probably exhaust your visits in a relatively short while, as it is not that big. There are no grocery stores downtown, they are all several miles out of town in various directions. There is a good authentic Mexican food restaurant there that we frequent for take out, and they have a small farmer's market on Saturday mornings. The only places open in the evenings are bars, restaurants, and WaWa.

Sure, we have met some friendly people (just like you will anywhere), but I wouldn't characterize this area as a friendly area. We joke around and call it the "hi" and "bye" place where we live. The friendliness has not really "stood out" like other areas I have lived.

In time, we will definitely be moving. Good Luck.

[pennylove76]

Hi I live in WC & I am about 5-8 minutes from the downtown area. I live in a neighborhood that is about 15 years old & my house sits on a cul de sac. I LOVE my neighborhood. The people are extremely friendly and welcoming. i have lived here about 3 years and I have been inside almost everyone of my neighbors houses & they have been to mine. We have a good relationship that is balanced. No, they are not running to my door every minute and coming in my house. However, we do manage to get together as a community a few times a year. I use the local children to babysit my child. My neighbors pick up my mail and trash can when I am away and my husband (who is big & strong) helps my divorced neighbor with things she can't do on her own. When we moved into our neighborhood, we were the youngest in the neighborhood & did not really "look" like our neighbors. However, they were welcoming and I have tried to be the same way to new neighbors that move in.

As for downtown, I absolutely love it. Last Saturday was the perfect example of why I love downtown. Last Saturday, I woke up at 6am. Went downtown, parked my car in a free lot & walked a block to the YMCA to work out. I finished by workout around 8am & then walked another block to get a manicure & my eyebrow waxed. I finished that around 9am, walked another block to get Starbucks & then another block back to the parking lot to buy vegetables from the West Chester Farmer's Market.

I finally got back into my car went home and did family things....Fast forward to 5:30pm. My hubby, & daughter and I went back downtown. Dropped baby off at the YMCA (special parents night out program they have) & hubby & i went on our "date".

We had 3 hours of free baby sitting and we first went to a Japanese Restaurant & had martinis while we waited for our sushi take out. We ordered takeout, because we then walked to the winery a block away. The winery is a BYOF (bring your own food). We went there & did the 10 wine, tasting for $5 while we ate our Sushi appetizers. Finally, we went to another restaurant for our actual dinner. However, not before stopping at a boutique or two. We had a great dinner & then went & got our kid. Keep in mind that once we parked (in the free lot again) we never had to move the car again.

So I guess my point is WC sort of rocks. Especially for people who enjoy being out in a safe, energectic area. Good luck with your search.