My wife and I are looking at new construction in the Chester Springs/Downingtown/West Chester area.

Has anyone toured this neighborhood or walked through the model homes?

What was your impression of the construction quality and neighborhood?

What is the town like in relation to the other areas listed above?

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

There are two builders in Byers station- Toll Brothers and Orleans. Both builders are very large and are publicly traded companies. Have you looked at the weatherstone project, less than five minutes from byers station? It is a local builder and the same builder built Eagleview corporate center on route 100. Hankin, the builder was the first in this area to bring neotradtional to this area. weatherstone website is http://www.hankingroup.com/residential/ws_res.html

Thanks for the construction info.

Any info on demographics of the neighborhood, crime level, schools, little league sports, gyms, restaurants, nightlife?

I would just drive thru the place to see how nice the homes are, how immaculant the parks, walking trails, etc are maintaned, etc. There is a public libaray as part of the project, and commercial closer to route 100 which has yet to be constructed. Great restraunts accorss the street. I would be surprised if any crime occured! This place is literally 2 or 3 minutes from Byers Station!

I didn't really like the style of homes at Windsor Ridge.

And Byers Station is absolutely beautiful, but seems to have a very --"interesting"-- ownership base.

I was wondering if anyone else was concerned with this and whether there was an impression that this would be pervasive throughout chester springs, or is just focused in new construction there, or just Byers Station in particular.

So funny how racism abounds unfettered here and over at city-data.com you get censured for just about anything...classic! Why not just say "did anyone notice all the (insert race here) over at Byers Station? Should all us whiteys moving to the country to avoid all the (insert race here) be scared and buy a few more guns and new locks for our doors?"

Give me a break already...if they have the cash to live there and are willing to move to the country, what do you really have to fear?

Toll brothers builds better houses than Orleans but all the big builders apparently suck.

Toll has two IDENTICAL developments, one with a Chester Springs address, on without..same schools et al but the Chester Springs location gets thousands more for the SAME homes bc of the address...if this sounds like your people, go for it, if not but you like the area, live in the other Toll development and bank the money for your kids college fund...

I personally think very little of new developments or the types of people flocking to Chester Springs - "nouveau riche" or fake nouveau riche "keep up with the Joneses" types...if you want better schools, look at Great Valley or Tredyffrin (best in this area, HS in top 100 in the country) or West Chester or Chadds Ford....I like all of these areas better bc they have less new construction and better schools...

I did a tour of Weatherstone last year since I was in the area visiting a friend. I actually liked the townhomes there more than the singles. I just remember being blown away by the finished basement in the townhouse.

I'm rather curious as to what is meant by "interesting" ownership base?

emckelvy - I'm trying to get the scoop here. If you have questions drive through the neighborhood, then come back here and read this thread.

orrmobl - We would definitely rather be in Great Valley or Tredyffrin, but are weighing value vs location. I.e., the former have much better schools, are closer to the city, and are more up-scale areas, but the properties are older and there is really no new construction under 900k. However, you get over twice the house in chester springs/downingtown, and the houses are newer, but it is farther away from civilization (work, city, shopping, restaurants, shore, professional sporting events).

I am mainly trying to determine whether it is worth taking the gamble of buying a new custom built 4br house in chester springs, a new up and coming area that is taking a large influx of people, or going with a safer bet in a more established area on the mainline or west chester with better schools and a more static demo.

If anyone else has any thoughts on this please chime in. I can't imagine that with all the new construction that more people aren't contemplating the same decision.

The urban militants on this board would have you believe Chester Springs will vanish off the face of the earth in a year or so. Crippled by high energy prices, shrinking familily base etc.. Dont believe the hype but make sure you get in the right development.

I've been thru Windsor Ridge and you get what you pay for, there is a reason its affordable.

Whatever you do live well within your means. If that results in having to buy a 25 year old house in Malvern as opposed to a 2 year old house Chester Springs then live in Malvern.

What do you mean by this? Aren't these homes in the $350,000-$450,000 range? Who cares if the people are purple, green, or pink? They obviously have the same interests and concerns as you (new construction, decent schools, location, etc). Not sure how this is relevant.

If you can afford a home in that price range in the burbs, more than likely you can afford to maintain it too. Not to mention I assume this is a master planned community, so exterior maintenance is done by a contractor, right?

__________________
NUTTER 2007