Commute to Wilmington (Chester, West Chester, Middletown: homes, school district, live)

[wilmingtonwonders]

Considering a move with a job in Wilmington, DE. Am interested in finding a school district that fits our criteria (1 toddler at home and another on the way)
3-4 bedroom homes around $450k
A decent sized Jewish population
Great Schools.

Would like to be no more than a 45 min commute to downtown Wilmington by car. We have family in Central PA so ideally would like to be closer rather than further from that area (I.e. probably not Cherry Hill). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by wilmingtonwonders

Considering a move with a job in Wilmington, DE. Am interested in finding a school district that fits our criteria (1 toddler at home and another on the way)
3-4 bedroom homes around $450k
A decent sized Jewish population
Great Schools.

Would like to be no more than a 45 min commute to downtown Wilmington by car. We have family in Central PA so ideally would like to be closer rather than further from that area (I.e. probably not Cherry Hill). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Define "decent sized Jewish population."

[selhars]

Kennett Square?, Chadds Ford?, West Chester?, Longwood? The Main Line is farther, and may not meet your budget….but a nice area.

I lived in Philly (granted it was right near the airport and 95) and commuted to Wilmington in 30-35 mins.

[wilmingtonwonders]

Awesome thanks. In terms of jewish population not sure have a hard number but probably at least 3-5% of the population?

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by wilmingtonwonders

Awesome thanks. In terms of jewish population not sure have a hard number but probably at least 3-5% of the population?

Oh, if you're talking 3-5%, then the sky's the limit. The Rose Tree Media School District (Upper Providence, Middletown, Edgmont, Media Borough) and Wallingford-Swarthmore School District (Nether Providence, Rose Valley, Swarthmore, Rutledge) immediately come to mind.

[Pocopsonite]

In North Wilmington there is a vibrant Jewish Community Center, so I assume there must be a "decent-sized" Jewish population. Any reason you're not considering Wilmington suburbs (which is what North Wilmington is)? Public schools are not great, but there's quite a variety of good private schools.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by Pocopsonite

In North Wilmington there is a vibrant Jewish Community Center, so I assume there must be a "decent-sized" Jewish population. Any reason you're not considering Wilmington suburbs (which is what North Wilmington is)? Public schools are not great, but there's quite a variety of good private schools.

The bolded appears to be the kicker. That said, if the OP is considering northern Delaware, the Jewish community is centered in the 19803 and 19810 zip codes in Brandywine Hundred.

[Philly246]

Originally Posted by ElijahAstin

The bolded appears to be the kicker. That said, if the OP is considering northern Delaware, the Jewish community is centered in the 19803 and 19810 zip codes in Brandywine Hundred.

Yes, but most younger Jewish families are moving out to Chadds Ford (and to a lesser extent Garnet Valley) for the schools.

To get to a sizable Jewish population, the OP would need to commute from Lower Merion (or somewhere right off the Blue Route above Havertown). Depending on where in Wilmington they are commuting to, you would be looking at a 45 min to 1 hr commute (with traffic). These areas are however, out of the OPs budget.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by Philly246

Yes, but most younger Jewish families are moving out to Chadds Ford (and to a lesser extent Garnet Valley) for the schools.

To get to a sizable Jewish population, the OP would need to commute from Lower Merion (or somewhere right off the Blue Route above Havertown). Depending on where in Wilmington they are commuting to, you would be looking at a 45 min to 1 hr commute (with traffic). These areas are however, out of the OPs budget.

The OP also said she's only looking for a population of at least 3-5%, so she doesn't need to be in Lower Merion.

[wilmingtonwonders]

Thank you for all the great suggestions and insight. To add some additional clarification we'd like to be somewhere with strong public schools. Of the areas mentioned (excluding the out of budget main-line) chadds-ford, west Chester, Kennett square, etc. which location do you think has the largest Jewish population?