Townhome in Doylestown (Philadelphia, York, Chalfont: hair salon, low crime, lawyers)

[lafinmail]

We are looking for a townhome in Doylestown. Anyone familiar with any of communities and any feedback on if child friendly or any other pros/cons? Thanks.

Villages at Buckingham
Heritage Center
Summerhill

[kelb]

If you go south of town, to Warrington, or even Warminster, you will get more townhouse for your money.
Also check along York Rd in Jamison area.

[ooodsie]

I don't know that I would recommend going south of Doylestown, unfortunately Warminster and Warrington USED to be nice, but lately have been going a little down hill, I just had a client move from Warrington to Yardley due to recent crime in her neighborhood... Doylestown is still very safe and quiet community I would stick in that area, or even venture towards Upper Makefield/Wrightstown/Yardley/Newtown areas.. Council Rock schools are very good.

[PA2UK]

Originally Posted by ooodsie

Council Rock schools are very good.

In some people's opinion, lol

[kelb]

There are some nice townhome developments along York Rd in Jamison. The area still has a country feel, but is minutes from Doylestown.

[ooodsie]

Originally Posted by PA2UK

In some people's opinion, lol

It's not really an opinion, it's consistantly documented w/ test scores and rankings.

[PA2UK]

Originally Posted by ooodsie

It's not really an opinion, it's consistantly documented w/ test scores and rankings.

I'm not talking about test scores and rankings. I'm talking about the student experience there. The students, the teachers, the size of the school. I graduated from Council Rock, I hated it, it's so big that no one knows or cares who you are. Unless you're super popular like a cheerleader or unless you cause trouble and get detention every week, most of the teachers, the principal or any other staff members wouldn't be able to pick you out of a line up. It's so impersonal, it's like you're just another number going through their system to make them look good.

There's a few exceptions - I know at least one teacher there will have remembered me. But no surprise he was the photography teacher so he had smaller classes and spent more time helping individual students.

But for the most part, I grew to hate the school because it's so oversized, you get lost in the crowd. When I was there, there was about 900-1000 students per grade. It took 2 hours for every student to be given their diploma at graduation and that was even in super speed. By the time you walked up to shake hands with the principal (who doesn't even know who you are), they are already calling someone elses name!

I realize some people don't mind big schools. And I realize that all big schools are this way, not just Council Rock. But that is why it IS a matter of opinion. Will you get a good education? Probably. But that doesn't mean it's an enjoyable experience for every single student. One of my friends hated it so much, he moved to live with his mom instead of his dad just to get away from Council Rock! And myself? We'll lets just say that several mornings I was late for school because I was having panic attacks at the idea of going to school.

It's not just about test scores and rankings - although that is important when considering schools, it doesn't automatically mean your child will have a good experience.

[PhotoMatt]

Originally Posted by lafinmail

We are looking for a townhome in Doylestown. Anyone familiar with any of communities and any feedback on if child friendly or any other pros/cons? Thanks.

Villages at Buckingham
Heritage Center
Summerhill

Doylestown is a great place to live if you can afford it (high housing prices and property taxes). It's child friendly, it's safe, very low crime, Doylestown is the last train station on the R5 line into Philadelphia.. It's an hour commute on the train into Center city. It has a historic small town feel to it with coffee houses and a few Bars, lots of hair salons and knick-knack shops. Plus the Bucks county courthouse, so there's plenty of lawyers around.. lol

I live in Chalfont, which is about 5 miles west.. but I would move into Doylestown if I can afford it.