West Chester, Pa (Downingtown, Paoli, Malvern: to rent, how much, house)

[geodon]

Hi. We live on Long Island and my husband will soon be relocating to a new job in West Chester. We have two young children (8&5). We are looking for areas to rent and then purchase within a 1/2 hours drive to West Chester. Schools are important as well as a property that's about a 1/2 acre for the kids or an area that has public parks nearby for the children to play in.

We are unfamiliar with the area and do not know where to begin. Ideally we would like to be able to rent a place and then purchase a home in the same school district so the kids would not have to "move" twice so to speak. I am also a stay at home mom and an area that has other mom's home would be great. We would like an area where we don't look out our windows and see our neighbor's eating their nightly meal.

Also, I know this is a general question but here on Long Island our utility rates are sky high. Could anyone give me a rough estimate as to what they are like in the area and what services you have to pay for ie. garbage removal, etc. Here we don't pay for individual servics since they are all paid through our taxes - which are also quite high. Thank you for any info provided.

Happy New Year to all!

[orrmobl]

It really depends how much money you want to spend/what size house you want/need. To get big lots and less neighbors you have to pay more or move out to the relative sticks. Affluence also plays into it - do you want neighbors who drive imports, American, beaters, or luxury European cars?


It sounds like you like a fairly rural area - I would recommend Chadds Ford (really good schools), Malvern (very very good schools), Chester Springs (new money), and Downingtown area (Downingtown schools are also very good), then West Chester (a step below Downingtown).

If you want *the* best public schools in the area you want sections of Malvern, Wayne, Paoli, Berwyn, sections of Devon in the Tredyffrin-Easttown school district - this area is very expensive (but coming from LI it won't be bad at all) but the schools are really that good.

As for utilities...a lot are covered by taxes, figure 7-10k a year depending on size of home and municipality...anything not covered will surely be less than what you are currently paying...

[geodon]

Thank you so much. This will definitely give me some starting points. Schools are key and thanks for pointing out the better ones.

As far "Affluence also plays into it - do you want neighbors who drive imports, American, beaters, or luxury European cars?" I would prefer to live with regular people. I don't particularly like one-uppers or those who need to compete with the Jones' so to speak. No offense intended, just my preference. Where I currently live is a hodge-podge of people from all walks. They are willing to help you out "with no strings" attached so I sort of want the same thing in my new neighborhood. They keep their places neat some more extravagent then others but generally care about their neighbors and the neighborhood. This is what makes me most comfortable and happy and that's what's important to me since I will be staying at home and what makes me happy makes the DH happy.

Thanks again for your help.

[orrmobl]

What part of LI do you live in? There's a web site where you can put in a town you like and it will give you comparable towns in all the states...

[toobusytoday]

West Chester itself is a beautiful old town and has nice homes within walking distance of town and great schools. If I were you, I would start off looking right there. We lived in Downingtown several years ago and while the town is nice enough, it's not nearly as interesting as West Chester. It's more of a blue collar town that has sprawled in all directions. I found a link for a WC Mom's club: MOMS Club® of West Chester PA hope it's helpful.

I really should not knock Downingtown because I did love living there and the schools are good. My SIL teaches there too, it's just that as long as your husband is working in West Chester, I would consider that first.

[thesixth]

Originally Posted by toobusytoday

West Chester itself is a beautiful old town and has nice homes within walking distance of town and great schools. If I were you, I would start off looking right there. We lived in Downingtown several years ago and while the town is nice enough, it's not nearly as interesting as West Chester. It's more of a blue collar town that has sprawled in all directions. I found a link for a WC Mom's club: MOMS Club® of West Chester PA hope it's helpful.

it's just that as long as your husband is working in West Chester, I would consider that first.

I agree with this. Start with West Chester & then move out from there within your 1/2 hr. radius if you don't find anything to your liking in WC.

[Diz]

I teach in the WC Area School District and I can tell you that the schools are wonderful, each unique but wonderful. 10 elementary schools, 3 middle schools and 3 High Schools.
Chester County as a whole has so much to offer...history, great food, close to Philly, and Longwood Gardens. Battlefields to explore. Your drive back to NY not so far...
Unfortunately, taxes are high in the entire area. Good Luck and I hope your move is a happy one.

[robjay]

we moved to downingtown 5 years ago from long island.
you get more for your money regards to a house, but it is not alot cheaper.
downingtown is more rural. the town of westchester is bacisally a cross of huntingtown village and great neck if that makes sense. Westchester is also a college town so it has a little more to offer as far as culturally but downingtown is more rural which i personally like. I can drive outsie my develpments and see cows, horses, sheep and lots of farms, something that you never saw living on long island.

good luck

[jakejos]

Originally Posted by Diz

I teach in the WC Area School District and I can tell you that the schools are wonderful, each unique but wonderful. 10 elementary schools, 3 middle schools and 3 High Schools.
Chester County as a whole has so much to offer...history, great food, close to Philly, and Longwood Gardens. Battlefields to explore. Your drive back to NY not so far...
Unfortunately, taxes are high in the entire area. Good Luck and I hope your move is a happy one.

Hello, I am considering on moving to the W.C. area & have been doing some research. @ the moment I am attending college earning my associate degree as a paralegal, have a 16 year old son, and a 13 year old daughter. Can you give me some more info about the area please?

[kelb]

I second staying right in West Chester. We have a daughter in college there, and we have just been amazed at how charming the town is and how much it has to offer. When you have visitors, you will never run out of things to do, and great restaurants to try, in the immediate area. Commutes in the region can be very tricky, so opting for a ten minute commute will greatly improve your quality of life.
Good luck with your move.