Need advice on very important decision (Philadelphia, Chester: apartment, insurance, low crime)

[pawan99]

Hi All,

Pawan from Delhi, India. I am contemplating on an opportunity to work in an IT company in King of Prussia, PA.

I need an advice from you about living in KOP/around. Still better if someone can give a comparison of good living between KOP and other major cities of US from point of view of an Indian trying to be there in US for couple of years.

Thank you so much in advance.
Pawan

[pawan99]

To add...I am in mid-thirties with small family looking advice on quality of life, schooling system, health care, conducive surroundings, cost of living and such parameters.

[ShannonMilligan]

Quality of life is great. Lots of things to do, lots of diversity. You will find the area to be a melting pot-Indians included.
The schools are good, in my opinion.
Healthcare-depends on your insurance I guess. In terms of rating dr's and hospitals, I think we have some of the best. Espcially in Philly, which is only a 40 minute drive from KOP. (I had my children at the Hospital of the University of Penn and I loved them! I drove an hour twice a week just to be there)
We also have great universities...Anything from a Penn State branch to a University of Penn, Temple, WHarton...
The only thing is cost of living, and that is relative to your pay obviously. We moved to East Coventry (20 minutes from KOP) b/c we got more bang for our buck there.
Good luck. It is a nice area

[oc2nyc]

Twinmma what county is East Coventry located in? I have heard it mentioned a few times on the board. We are hopng to relocate back here and my husband's of ice in KOP so we want to be in a suburb near there We have three school age kids and need a great school dilstrict. Bucks County was recommended to us but I want to make sure we are not in a really rural area. Any ideas?

[ShannonMilligan]

It is in Chester County. We loved it there b/c it was somewhat rural (meaning not crowded, I don't mean roaming pastures of cows...although there is a "farm" near us with a few cows) And we liked that it is near 422 (which you would take to KOP), and just a laid back kind of life. I didn't want to be in Exton as it is very busy there-I like E COventry b/c it is more laid back and yet only a 20 minute drive to Exton, KOP, etc.

I also have lived in Bucks County (we move A LOT) but it is about a 45 minute drive to KOP and is very expensive)

East Coventry doesn't have a lot of "mix" when it comes to cultural stuff, but in my development I had white, black, Asian and Indian neighbors. (Matter of fact, a few of my neighbors in the same models as me were Indian)

What ever you decide, I am sure you will like PA. It is a nice way of life-in my opinion!

[Mike Smocome]

We moved to Bridgeport which is right next to King of Prussia and the housing cost are much lower. Its a great area with the large mall, about an hour out of Philadelphia, good public transportation, right on the PA Turnpike and not far from the mountains up north. There are some nice parks here plus there is a couple Indian grocery store and restaurants in the area. I'm not from India but lived overseas a long time in Indonesia and now play badminton with a bunch of international folks here in King of Prussia so I think there is a good mix of stuff here. Go for it.

[etjudge]

The King of Prussia area is nice, compared to inner city Philly. You should be fine around that area. It's peaceful, quiet, and clean. Lots of business folk live in that area. Low crime rates. Check out craigslist.org for an apartment.