coatesville anyone?

[dirtybug]

The better half and I have been looking to move out of philadelphia to somewhere more rural. One of the areas we can afford an acre or two in is coatesville, but when we went to look at some properties and drive around we found that just a few minutes away from the rural farmland area we where looking at was a very bad looking city like nieghborhood. To say the least we are very disapointed. I'm wondering if anyone here has first hand experience with coatesville that can offer some insight.

Also if anyone knows of some rural areas that are also affordable let me know.

[PisnNapalm]

I used to live there on an acre of land a few miles from downtown Coatesville. I never had any problems there. We moved because of the school district though. I miss that house. 1 acre wooded lot all to myself. *sigh* It was actually in Sadsburyville just west of C-ville.

If you have kids, I'd avoid that district.

[dirtybug]

No kids yet but we dont want to HAVE to move again for a while. What about the schools is the issue.
My s.o. is a teacher so schools are very important to her, we'd also like to stay whithin an hour or so of the swarthmore area. Are there good private schools in coatesville as an alternative to public education?

[knighthawk06699]

Coatsville is going the way of Philly. Violence and drugs are on the rise. You can for damn sure find some where else a lot nicer for the same money.

[dirtybug]

Originally Posted by knighthawk06699

Coatsville is going the way of Philly. Violence and drugs are on the rise. You can for damn sure find some where else a lot nicer for the same money.

Please tell me where! We've been going nuts searching real estate sites, Our main problem is we are trying not to spend much over $200k

[knighthawk06699]

Originally Posted by dirtybug

Please tell me where! We've been going nuts searching real estate sites, Our main problem is we are trying not to spend much over $200k

Try around Pottstown area, some very nice places are up for sale. We are about 40 mins away from Philly. About an hour and fifteen from places like Lancaster and Lebanon. Not to mention Pottstown has great school in Owen J Roberts!!!

[PisnNapalm]

Pottstown, Spring City, Phoenixville, Royersford.

You ought to be able to find a decent home in your price range around here. We specifically chose the Owen J. Roberts school district. We had heard good things about it and mostly it's been true. Our daughter had a couple of new inexperienced teachers but that's been it.

Taxes are a bit higher than the surrounding areas but the schools are better. IMHO.

[dirtybug]

Thanks everyone for the info, I'll be searching.

[str8shooter]

Originally Posted by dirtybug

Please tell me where! We've been going nuts searching real estate sites, Our main problem is we are trying not to spend much over $200k

I'd stay away from Coatesville, far away. There are some nice areas, but the school district is nasty and there are some politics you wouldn't believe (trying to take a man's farm to build a country club, and calling it eminant domain).

Downingtown, Owen J. Roberts or Great Valley School districts are the one's to look for if kids will be in the picture, but obviously the home prices and taxes go up according to the school's quality and reputation. Owen J is North, so easy access to 422, where you can then sit for an hour if you need to go East. GV is getting close to the "Main Line", and prices have sky rocketed there. Downingtown (which is where my kids go) has easy access to the turnpike, and there are some nice homes in the northern and western parts of the school district, but the population is growing faster than they can build new schools. There are some nice homes in the 200K range in the nether reaches of the Downingtown SD, in Wallace and East Brandywine townships, and I think the minimum lot size is 2 acres in Wallace.

If you have any questions about specific neighborhoods in the D'town SD, PM me, I volunteer with the local fire and ambulance companies and know the area and its residents pretty well.

[96D]

Look out near the Honey Brook area! taxes are not to bad & a great school dist. Twin Valley.