Any options I am not considering in Chester or Mont Co (Pottstown: houses, neighborhood)

[MKE8244]

We are exploring option of moving from the western main line to a further out location to get more house for our money, and I am just looking to get general thoughts on the many locations that are potential options.

Looking for a large home like 2500+ sq ft, updated, in the $500K range. Not looking for cookie cutter houses (I grew up in one and actually liked it but hubby doesn't). Prefer to be in a neighborhood but with 1 acre, ideally with some woods or easy access to a trail system. Good school district. We are left leaning but like being around a diverse population (in all aspects) but we don't want to be a small minority politically.

Top contenders right now are Downingtown, West Chester (but our budget might be too low), Chester Springs/OJR (but a little concerned about culture). Also planning to look at Collegeville and Schwenksville in MontCo but I just don't know much about the area.

We like being outside, want access to amenities like dining and shopping within 15 min, and a great community. Husband is commuting to the Trooper/Audubon area.

[NewtownBucks]

Would you consider Berks County? Somewhere like Douglassville or Birdsboro might be a fit for you, too. As long as you are close to 422, commuting to Trooper should be no big deal.

[Avalon08]

Originally Posted by MKE8244

We are exploring option of moving from the western main line to a further out location to get more house for our money, and I am just looking to get general thoughts on the many locations that are potential options.

Looking for a large home like 2500+ sq ft, updated, in the $500K range. Not looking for cookie cutter houses (I grew up in one and actually liked it but hubby doesn't). Prefer to be in a neighborhood but with 1 acre, ideally with some woods or easy access to a trail system. Good school district. We are left leaning but like being around a diverse population (in all aspects) but we don't want to be a small minority politically.

Top contenders right now are Downingtown, West Chester (but our budget might be too low), Chester Springs/OJR (but a little concerned about culture). Also planning to look at Collegeville and Schwenksville in MontCo but I just don't know much about the area.

We like being outside, want access to amenities like dining and shopping within 15 min, and a great community. Husband is commuting to the Trooper/Audubon area.

Just curious about what this means or what your concern is.

[MKE8244]

We are pretty liberal and have both only lived in very urban areas as adults (though I grew up in the county very similar to parts of OJR outside Pottstown as a kid). I don't need or want to be surrounded by only people like me but I also would have a hard time if everyone in my neighborhood was very conservative. We are also accustomed to having a lot of amenities nearby and a lot of parts of OJR seem far from restaurants, shopping, gym.

I had a friend tell me OJR was a bit of an 'old boys club' and I wouldn't say we fit that as a family.

[cpomp]

Phoenixville is a cool area.

[rowhomecity]

I would focus on the Phoenixville area, in both its western surrounding communities and the communities going northeast towards Collegeville.

Schwenksville you will get the most for your money in terms of house, but lose the proximity to the amenities you are seeking.

[Mayvenne]

What is OJR?

[Muinteoir]

Yeah, I agree that Phoenixville is a good bang-for-your-buck suburb for more space, greenery and good schools. It has a bit of a crunchy vibe. It is not as diverse as some of the inner suburbs, though.

[b-nasty]

Originally Posted by MKE8244

Looking for a large home like 2500+ sq ft, updated, in the $500K range. Not looking for cookie cutter houses (I grew up in one and actually liked it but hubby doesn't). Prefer to be in a neighborhood but with 1 acre
[...]

Top contenders right now are Downingtown, West Chester (but our budget might be too low)

It's doable in WC/D-Town for that price range, but you would be looking at older (80s but updated) homes. The schools in both of those districts are better than Phoenixville, but you can't really go wrong with any of the affluent Philly suburbs school districts.


You're pretty much going to have to look at 30+ year old homes if you want character and a yard bigger than a postage stamp. Commute from WC to Audubon is going to be about a half hour, and you're fortunately not in the worst of the traffic on the dreaded 422, which is usually headed towards 202/76 in the morning.

[NewtownBucks]

Originally Posted by Mayvenne

What is OJR?

Owen J Roberts (school district).