Philadelphia's Main Line vs. Chadds Ford or Greenville / Centerville, DE (Lancaster: townhouse, schools)

[vpo61073]

- How does Greenville or Centerville, Delaware / Chadds Ford, PA compare to Philadelphia's Main Line?
- Are there many rural / heavily wooded areas along the Main Line?
- How does the architecture compare in each?
- Does Chadds Ford resist becoming a McMansion zone?
- Greenville / Centerville, DE doesn't seem like it's running the risk of becoming very overdeveloped, but I honestly don't know. Any ideas?
- I would appreciate any information on these areas....

[orrmobl]

DE is well, DE! PA schools are superior in the areas you are looking. Neither Chadds Ford nor the Main Line has a McMansion problem - no desire in Chadds Ford and no land on the Main Line. Granted there are some oversized actual mansions but most of the Main Line is well under 4000 sq ft.

As for green space, I thought only Chadds Ford had as much of it, but I am discovering that places like Wayne (Glenhardie especially which borders Valley Forge) and Valley Forge (Valley Forge Mountain) also have beautiful open areas and great views.

As for architecture, the Main Line tends to be mostly 60's and older, some much older but you will find lots of kitchens from the 80s and original bathrooms - quite discouraging. You will find more old farmhouse style stuff in Chadds Ford, then newer developments as well. The more varied/high end exteriors and interiors will be on the Main Line as the place has had wealth since the dawn of time it seems.

[vpo61073]

Thank you so much for your help. I really appreciate any information I can get. I am a bit overwhelmed by this process!

[rainrock]

The birds eye view on maps.live.com is a great feature and will show you exactly the difference between the 3 areas.

Chadds Ford is mostly rural farmland and forest which is changing into upscale suburbia. If you are looking for a mcmansion with character,fresh air, elbow room, 10-15 minute commute to spanking new Home Depot,PF Changs + Target this is your place.

The Main Line is a string of affluent planned communities built in the 19th century + 20th centuries. It meanders westward some 20 miles from the border of Philadlephia on very narrow thorofares such as Lancaster Pike, traffic in a word(headache). The further west you go the more landscape transforms from leafy to more open space similar to Chadds Ford.Lower Merion Township which makes up most of the eastern portion of the Main Line is the 5th wealthiest town in the usa population over 50,000. Radnor and Tredyffrin which make up the west part of the Main Line are no slouches either. I would investigate Wayne/St Davids/Radnor/Villanova/Bryn Mawr/Haverford/Wynnewood/Gladwyne$$$$$

You cant go wrong in either area imo, Chadds Ford or Main Line. Chadds Ford is newer/ fresher and the Main Line is older but with character you can only find in a handful of places in this country.

Not to leave Greenville/centerville De out. That is very nice country. I dont know much about that area as a place to live but its incredibly nice from the few times I've passed through. Keep in mind taxes in DE are much more resident friendly than Pa.

Good luck.

[Sassygirl18]

Re: taxes, DE has really low property taxes, but it has a higher state income tax rate than PA, so what you save in property taxes living in DE, you may make up in state income tax, depending on your situation. PA has a flat income tax of 3.07%. Delaware has a graduated tax, so for example, if you earn $25K-$60K, your tax rate is 5.55%. If you earn $60K or more, your rate is 5.95%

Hubby and I were considering DE because of the really low property taxes, but when we crunched all the numbers, DE and PA came out just about even expense-wise, and we like PA better. So we scratched DE off our list.

[Gracie2001]

Greenville is beautiful, hands down! But VERY expensive! And - except for townhouse communities -Chadds Ford is as expensive. Try West Chester over the Main Line. Except if you need mass transportation to PHL. The closest train station is Exton. Architecture is farmhouse/traditional. Many old and restored homes but many, many new developments. The Main Line is NOT rural: Although there are old back roads, they are heavily traveled at all times during the day.