Suburban/Rural Areas Near King of Prussia? (Philadelphia, York: apartments, school)

[Juggernaut1547]

Hi all. This is my first post. I hope I can help out in the sub-forums related to areas I've lived in.

I'm considering accepting a job offer in King of Prussia. The job sounds great, but I'm not yet sold on Greater Philadelphia, mostly because I don't like cities (just as background, I hate both Boston and New York City). The job's facilities are very near to that huge mall in KoP. I'm interested in finding an area near KoP that has a suburban / almost-rural feel.

Here are the qualities for my ideal town/city near KoP:

1. Suburban/rural area: Not a college town or constantly filled with lots of traffic.
2. Close to KoP: Hopefully the morning and evening commutes are about 30 minutes or less.
3. Apartments for $750/month or less: I don't know much about the area, but from the research I've done so far, this figure might be a a little naive.

Currently I live in Charlottesville, VA until I finish grad school. The University of Virginia is here, so this is a college town. I really, really don't like college towns.

I really don't want to write KoP off, because I realize it's not actually in Philadelphia. It seemed nice to me when I visited--the only thing I really disliked was the amount of traffic. In fairness, though, I spent all of my right next to the mall.

I know--I'm a curmedgeon. Thanks for any input you can provide.

[maf763]

It's going to be hard to get all three of your wishes. To get low traffic rural/suburban areas that might have apartments for less than $750 (maybe places like Boyertown or East Greenville), you'll probably have to drive more than 30 minutes during rush hour to get to KOP. At any rate, you would need to look west of KOP, because everything between KOP and Philly would probably be too busy or too expensive. Good luck.

[Pilot1]

How close to KOP? Look west down the PA Turnpike to the next exit, Rt. 100. There may be apartments in and around Exton/Lionville/Downingtown in that range, but I'm not sure. Its about 15 - 20 minutes to KOP from that exit.

[Juggernaut1547]

Originally Posted by maf763

It's going to be hard to get all three of your wishes. To get low traffic rural/suburban areas that might have apartments for less than $750 (maybe places like Boyertown or East Greenville), you'll probably have to drive more than 30 minutes during rush hour to get to KOP. At any rate, you would need to look west of KOP, because everything between KOP and Philly would probably be too busy or too expensive. Good luck.

Thanks a lot. I have a map handy and am going to start the search. Another board member has suggested I look north and west of KoP.

[Juggernaut1547]

Originally Posted by Pilot1

How close to KOP? Look west down the PA Turnpike to the next exit, Rt. 100. There may be apartments in and around Exton/Lionville/Downingtown in that range, but I'm not sure. Its about 15 - 20 minutes to KOP from that exit.

Thanks for the tip. I'd just like to be within a 45 min. max commute to and from KoP. As far as mileage, I'm not that concerned.

[kimbey]

There is also skippack and collegeville. Even Royersford is very country but I am not sure of the distance to KOP. These are very nice country areas.

[Juggernaut1547]

Thanks, kimbey.

[sbhubbell]

Uhh...collegeville is a college town...duh. OP said they didn't like college towns. I personally would look in the East Coventry, East Vincent area...it's Pottstown mailing address but rural. It's just beyond Royersford and Limerick. Yes, you will sit in traffic every morning on 422 but I still think 30 minutes is doable because it's only 10 miles or less. Also the area around the Rt 100 exit of the turnpike would be nice too, since it would be just turnpike exit to turnpike exit...but you'd be paying the toll each way every day.

[kimbey]

Uhhh excuse me but have you ever been in Collegeville. Yes, there is a college there but
it IS NOT considered a college town. Oh yeah, Pottstown is really nice......GAG!! That whole area and the surrounding areas are a run down dump!!

[orrmobl]

Don't forget the nuclear power plant at Limerick...you can see it looming menacingly in the distance as you drive west on 422...one of several reasons why I wouldn't live in that area...