Philly suburb-West Chester, Downington? (Phoenixville, Downingtown: sales, to rent, school)

[girlofseasons]

Hi Everyone~My boyfriend and I will be relocating to the area this summer. We are in our early 40s without kids. Does anyone recommend a suburb? We were thinking West Chester but have heard it isn't as affordable. We are relocating from a DC suburb and are used to living close to a historic downtown area with small boutiques and restaurants. Thanks

[Becca8377]

Answering these questions will help - //www.city-data.com/forum/phila...some-maps.html

[pman]

downingtown is much smaller and quieter. there are a couple of restaurants that are decent. west chester is, historically, the regional center and the county seat. it is more expensive but also has that historic downtown with lots of shops and restaurants, even a market (carlino's).

[BPP1999]

Originally Posted by girlofseasons

Hi Everyone~My boyfriend and I will be relocating to the area this summer. We are in our early 40s without kids. Does anyone recommend a suburb? We were thinking West Chester but have heard it isn't as affordable. We are relocating from a DC suburb and are used to living close to a historic downtown area with small boutiques and restaurants. Thanks

If you are coming from a DC suburb and are used to living close to a historic downtown area with small boutiques and restaurants than you know that areas like that are often expensive. WC is no exception, but I'd be willing to bet that it's cheaper than wherever you are in DC. The one drawback of WC is that it hasn't had rail service into the city in about 30 years.

Downingtown is definitely quieter as the above poster said.

Another area you could check out is Phoenixville. Phoenixville is grittier and cheaper than WC but still has a fair amount of shops and restaurants (but WC certainly has more boutiques). Phoenixville like WC also hasn't had rail service in years so that is a drawback in terms of commuting potential.

Where will you be working?

[girlofseasons]

Thanks for the responses, everyone! I'm a school counselor and my boyfriend is in sales covering the entire state of PA with 60% of his work in the Philly area. A lot of this will depend too on where I can get a job.

[qworldorder]

West Chester isn't THAT expensive. I'd wager that the area near DC where you're coming from is more expensive...

[Ms_Christina]

Just remember, WC is a college town so if you don't like college kids don't live there.

[pred66]

Check out Chestnut hill,
Close to CC,
Close to Fairmount park and lots of nice shops in a small shopping district.

[thunderkat59]

West Chester and Downingtown are a zillion miles apart in 'feel'.
Downingtown is quiet suburban and West Chester is more tiny city like. But as mentioned, it is now a college town, and a lot of stuff comes with that if you want to rent in town. It is easier to use public transportation to get into Philly from WC, too.
I lived in both, West Chester, north side, would be my choice of the two.

[BPP1999]

Originally Posted by thunderkat59

It is easier to use public transportation to get into Philly from WC, too.

That doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me considering there is a regional rail stop in Downingtown but there hasn't been one on WC since the mid-80's.