Moving to Philly from NC

[BPP1999]

Originally Posted by tiffellani

Thanks for the advice everyone....I am really having a hard time deciding which area we are going to move to. I checked out Coatsville and it seems nice but we want to live on the other side of Exton, a little closer to Philly. What does everyone think of living on the outskirts of Philly? Like the University City area? I have found some very cute houses/townhomes on the net in that area but of course they don't show the surroundings so I don't know if its a nice, clean neighborhood. I really do appreciate everyones help....this is a lot harder than I imagined it would be, there are so many different areas to choose between.

Just an FYI, University City is in Philadelphia and about 1 mile from Center City. It's really not the "outskirts" of Philly. UC is a gentrifying college neighborhood, but there's others more qualified to talk about it.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by BPP1999

Just an FYI, University City is in Philadelphia and about 1 mile from Center City. It's really not the "outskirts" of Philly. UC is a gentrifying college neighborhood, but there's others more qualified to talk about it.

I enjoyed my years in University City. It's a good fit for a lot of people but it wouldn't fit the OP's criteria. From UC, you could probably get to Delaware quicker than you would get to Exton. And a $200K house would put you into trailblazer territory... not that there's anything wrong with that; I just sense that's not what the OP is looking for.

[JerzBoy]

Agree with Tone. University City is gentrifying but any townhomes that are 200k or under will be in rougher neighborhoods. Also the commute to Exton would be a real nightmare each day up I-76. With your low price range of 200k - it will be tough finding a home east of Exton. You may be able to find a townhome in the Chesterbrook section of Wayne, PA for about $250k.

[orrmobl]

I love Coatesville (not the city but the areas east of it) and you will have your pick of tons of brand new housing stock at fire sale prices. And you'll be 10 minutes to Exton and there are chain restaurants/malls/supermarkets galore...

That being said, you are about an hour outside the city limits and the schools here suck big time...If you have kids you would have to send them to private school...but the lower cost of housing may be worth it...

If youre young and childless I would recommend West Chester or maybe Phoenixville for the hip atmosphere or Coatesville for the cheap housing and beautiful wooded setting (at least in my neighborhood)

[NC from MA]

Conshohocken is a great little community...about 15 miles to center city...close to all major highways...a place where you can walk to things(restaurants, bars, church).I lived there for 5 years and really liked it.