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Old 03-06-2010, 02:38 PM
 
3 posts, read 11,767 times
Reputation: 10

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Help! I will be relocating from NYC. I have spent hours on this site trying to find a town where I can buy a home. Looking to spend no more than $350 for a 3-4 bed/2 bath home. I will be working at the VA in Coatesville and I don't want to commute more than 20 minutes or so. Downingtown keeps popping up as affordable. Exton seems too pricey and I am not sure about the commute. I have no children, but a good school district is important for re-sale value. I need your help and any input will be appreciated.
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Old 03-07-2010, 10:38 AM
 
Location: a swanky suburb in my fancy pants
3,391 posts, read 8,784,740 times
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Maybe call a realtor? Have you been using www.realtor.com ?
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Old 03-07-2010, 06:18 PM
 
3 posts, read 11,767 times
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I am sorry. I should be clearer. I am not looking for a realtor right now. That is the least of my worries. I am trying to figure out which town would be worth buying a home in. I have read that Downingtown has been flooded with new developments and homes, therefore selling your home will be an issue due to a high inventory. The commute from Downingtown to Coatesville will be easier for me, but I don't want to have a difficult time selling my home a few years from now.

I like the country feel as long as I can drive to shopping.

I know that I am should be thinking of the SEPTA, but as long as I can drive to a station also, then I am fine.

I have read that Exton is nice, but not affordable. Exton has a better school system?

So, I just wanted some input on how people feel about those two towns or if there is another town that I should be considering. Thanks so much!
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Old 03-08-2010, 06:33 AM
 
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Hi! I'm in the same situation...only moving from northwest PA down to the same area and working in a hospital. I have family that lives in Coatesville and East Fallowfield so it's been really nice to become familiar with the area first. With your budget you'd be able to afford a brand new home in Coatesville between 2100 and 3000 sq ft. (I would suggest looking at King's Grant which is a really nice development really close to 30) Some people will tell you to avoid Coatesville because of the "city" of Coatesville which is pretty rough, however I'll say this. If you don't drive right through it you'll never see it and the surrounding areas are very nice and much like you described you're looking for...countryside but close to shopping. Downingtown is known for having a much better school district but you're going to sacrifice in size and age of your home and in some areas you're just talking about a minute or two difference in location.
I don't think you could find what you're looking for in Exton, it is much pricier than Coatesville and Downingtown.
If you have any more question I'd be happy to help! Good luck!
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Old 03-09-2010, 06:47 PM
 
3 posts, read 11,767 times
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Thank you, JMS531!
Your input is exactly what I was looking for. I have heard to stay away from Coatesville, but no one has stated anything about the nicer part of the town.

Exton will probably be cut off of my list due to housing prices. I will focus my search on Downingtown and Coatesville. Wish me luck!
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Old 03-09-2010, 09:32 PM
 
1,623 posts, read 6,530,352 times
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Do NOT buy in the Coatesville district. It is the pits and taxes are high while Downingtown is one of the best, as is West Chester. I would just buy in the best district you can afford - as long as you buy a single, you will have not trouble selling it for a profit down the line...if you can't swing those districts check out Twin Valley SD (Honeybrook, PA) or further out in Lancaster County around Gap, PA, etc...anywhere but Coatesville SD...I used to rent in that area and it really is great...but if I were buying there it would definitely be in the Downingtown SD...

The VA hospital is right off the 30 Bypass Highway so everywhere you've mentioned is an easy 20 minute or less commute....
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Old 03-10-2010, 05:43 AM
 
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I agree with orrmobl. You were correct in saying that a good school district is important for re-sale and Coatesville is just not on the good schools list compared to it's surrounding districts. Downingtown has great schools. Another option might be Octorara School District, west of Coatesville Octorara Area SD - PA - Home more rural and affordable, slightly better schools then Coatesville, but none of the stigma. SchoolMatters (http://www.schoolmatters.com/schools.aspx/q/page=sc/scid=15782,14909,14752/pid=cmp/up_scid=15782,14909,14752/up_pn=1,1,1/up_ust=PA/up_csa=3 - broken link)
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Old 04-06-2010, 06:00 PM
 
2 posts, read 6,141 times
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Default where did you end up

I am moving to Coatesville too! I am alone and do not want to commute. My parents live in Ephrata.
I plan to rent initially.

Any thoughts?
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Old 12-17-2011, 09:04 PM
 
1 posts, read 1,788 times
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We live in a nice townhouse in a development just south of the VA, Its a mile from the last stop of the SEPTA Thorndale/Paoli train line.EXton was too expensive...and overrated.. *lol
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