Any nice neighborhoods of ranchers? (Montco/Delco/Chesco) (Chester, Drexel Hill: appointed, for sale)

[Avalon08]

I am retired and living in an apartment in Berwyn (Chester Co.). I'd like to buy a single home so I can get away from apartment rules and condo regulations. Ideally, it would be a ranch home in a nice, quiet neighborhood where the owners take pride in the appearance of their homes. A yard for my two small dogs would also be a must.

While I LOVE living in Berwyn, the homes here are way expensive due to being in the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District. I'd have to stretch to buy even a small rancher, due to the school district, which isn't a priority for me since I have no school-age children. But then, some of the developments of ranchers in more affordable areas (e.g., Plymouth Township) are rather run-down and seedy.

Ideally, I'd be looking for something under 300K. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

[soulsurv]

NOTE: I AM NOT A REALTOR. DO NOT DISABLE LINK!
Hi. Broomall in Delco is a nice, clean and quiet area with lots of ranchers. Here's one under 300K. I know the neighborhood. VERY nice, neat and clean


Mod Cut - NO one can post links to single listings.

[orrmobl]

I have the perfect neighborhood for you! We almost bought a house there a few years ago but the flipper had cut corners on the remodel and we got skittish after our inspector found safety issues and the flipper was less than cooperative.

It's called Suburban Village and it's off of Five Points Road in West Chester. Great quiet neighborhood of ranch houses, quaint, well maintained. Theres a shopping center within walking distance if you wanted to. I found this one on zillow.com just now.

Mod Cut - NO one can post links to single listings.

Good luck with your search!

[Avalon08]

Thanks for those suggestions! Location-wise, I love the Broomall idea. Not as crazy about West Chester (I like being closer to the Blue Route), but will still check both areas. Other suggestions are welcomed! I knew you guys would be able to help....there are so many hidden gems around here that aren't visible from the main roads.

[orrmobl]

Broomall's location makes it the next domino to fall in my opinion. I looked at a rancher there a few years ago...it was filthy and reeked of dog and cigarettes...I'm sure the neighbors would have been happy to see those people go elsewhere - and they owned a landscaping company! Delaware County is VERY different from Chester County. You will be much happier with the service sector and people in West Chester, trust me on this.

[Avalon08]

I know what you mean about some areas of Delco (orrmobl) as I have many relatives living in Clifton, Springfield, Brookhaven, etc. But I like the idea of Broomall as opposed to Havertown or Drexel Hill. Talk about the "next domino to fall" -- I drove through Drexel Hill recently and saw a couple sale signs on almost every block. I will check both the Broomall and West Chester neighborhoods, as well as any other suggestions that come in. I know I'm limiting myself with the "rancher" requirement, but at my age, I think stairs would be a real hassle.

[orrmobl]

My parents still live in Clifton Heights and it is on the downslide, especially down Baltimore Pike towards Lansdowne.

We moved from Drexel Hill St. Charles parish area 3 years ago and were glad to be getting out. People who are fleeing the worsening sections of the city are moving to the inner ring suburbs and so on and so forth. They are making their way up West Chester Pike from Upper Darby to eventually hit, you guessed it, Broomall. They bring pit bulls and drugs and drinking problems with them - this was just a few of the new neighbors on my old street!

I'm just saying with the way the migration of city dwellers is going, Broomall will no longer be as nice as it is today in say 10 years. And frankly, after living in Chester county for the past 3 years my wife and I both say we'll never go back to Delco.

The proximity to the city and the residents from both areas just have a bad attitude in general. You go to McDonald's or the Wawa and they roll their eyes or yell at you to repeat your order; I was at a Taco Bell in Springfield last week and had to repeat my order a good 5 times at the drive thru! I have had this happen once in Chester county but it's far more frequent in Delco. The bad attitude puts you in a bad frame of mind as well...just a big bowl of negativity that no one needs.

Try shopping or going to restaurants in that area a few times and you will be struck by the rudeness and lack of customer service; my wife and I are still in awe of how well customers and people in general are treated in Chesco.

[Avalon08]

Yes, Orrmodbl, food for thought. My line of thinking when I moved back to this area from Jersey last year was to rent in the most upscale area I could afford. I was tired of living in "affordable" areas that would end up with low-class people because they were, well, affordable. And the Main Line certainly has not disappointed. But when it comes to "buying", I don't want to be cash-strapped because I'm in a prestigious area and desirable school district. And a small rancher here is about $50-100K more than some areas of Delco and Montco. As I mentioned, I hadn't wanted to look geographically out past Paoli or Newtown Square, but I will definitely look at that area you mentioned. That's why I love this board!

[oz19454]

I have ranch house in Glenside. It is nice area and you can take the train to philly. check that out.

[toobusytoday]

Just a quick Mod note here, The reason links for single listings is not allowed is because although Tone and I know most of you here and who is a Realtor and who is not, another person who is a Realtor could continually post his/her own single listings and we would have to allow it if we let you do it too. Feel free to DM a poster if you would like to let them know about a house for sale.