Buying house in Delaware County, PA (Chester, King of Prussia: house prices, find a job, safe neighborhood)

[sc12]

Hello all – got a job offer in Wayne. Would really appreciate some advice on good location for buy house.


When are you moving?
Next month

Where are you coming from?
Suffolk Country, NY (Long Island). We are used to high house prices, taxes etc.

Why are you moving?
New job in Wayne (very close to King of Prussia Mall)

What is important?
1. Have 2 ½ year old - so good school is very important
2. Good, safe neighborhood
3. Wife needs to find a job – she is an accountant - proximity to job is important.
4. Short commute ( Max 30 mins. 15 mins preferred )

Will you buy or rent?
Buy. We are comfortable for up to ~$400k. Would prefer a standalone or townhouse.

Any other information?
We are Asian Indians in early 30s.

[maestro]

are you aiming specifically for Delaware County or are you open to Chester and Montgomery counties as well?

[sc12]

Any county which matches the above criterion is okay (like short commute from Wayne, good school etc) - does not have to be Delaware country. Good point - i should have made this clearer.

[Jfoldno7]

Don't know what your buying power looks like but here are some suggestions for school districts ranked in the top 100 (according to schooldigger) in the surrounding area which I think you would have no problem commuting to Wayne from:

Montgomery County:
20th: Lower Merion
26th: Methacton
50th: Spring-Ford
87th: Upper Merion

Chester County:
8th: Tredyffrin-Easttown
14th: Great Valley
45th: West Chester
84th: Phoenixville

Delaware County:
15th: Radnor
22nd: Rose Tree Media
52nd: Marple Newtown
54th: Haverford

Good luck!

[maestro]

Originally Posted by Jfoldno7

Don't know what your buying power looks like but here are some suggestions for school districts ranked in the top 100 (according to schooldigger) in the surrounding area which I think you would have no problem commuting to Wayne from:

Montgomery County:
20th: Lower Merion
26th: Methacton
50th: Spring-Ford
87th: Upper Merion

where's Abington? Where's Wissahickon? Where's Upper Dublin?

I would consider these locations to be commute-able to Wayne/KOP.

[Jfoldno7]

He said 15 min preferred commute so I tried to limit areas to about that distance or slightly more. You get out towards Abington and thats about 35 mins without traffic. Wissahickon and Upper Dublin are probably more in the 25-30 min zone but I thought I looked up enough to certainly get him started.

[chessimprov]

You might be able to get a small place in Wayne at that price. It might not look nice either, but it's in a great district and you'll be among many people with money.