marple newtown school district (Chester, Radnor Township: rent, townhomes, to buy)

[harionline]

Looking to buy home in Delaware county and would like feedback on marple newtown school district vs rose tree/wallingford-swathmore.
Houses are relatively new on Newtown square when compared to Media/Springfield.

From a quick look on school ratings - Marple newton ranks below other close districts in Media/Glen Mills etc.
So would love to hear thoughts/inputs

[Mdez]

All of the school districts you mentioned are good. Not sure of the chronological order, but you can’t really go wrong with any of those three.

The good school districts in Delco are: Radnor, Rose Tree/Media, Marple Newtown, Wallingford-Swarthmore, Springfield, Haverford, Garnet Valley, and probably Ridley too.

The districts that are below average/poor in Delco are: Upper Darby, Interboro, Chichester, William Penn, Southeast Delco, Chester-Upland (absolute worst)

Like I mentioned, you really can’t go wrong with Marple Newtown, Rose Tree/Media, or Wallingford-Swarthmore. All have good public schools and generally positive statistics. It really comes down to your budget and what town you like best. I believe Newtown Square is generally one the higher priced side- and also be aware that some houses with a Newtown Square address are in Chester County (different schools). There are also a lot of new housing developments in the Glen Mills/Garnet Valley area as well.

[harionline]

Thank you.. also we're interested in single family ranch with a decent yard space. Ranches in Media/Swathmore/wallingford are really old. Newtown square has relatively newer ranch. Any other areas around delaware county you'd recommend?

[Fireshaker]

Originally Posted by Mdez

All of the school districts you mentioned are good. Not sure of the chronological order, but you can’t really go wrong with any of those three.

The good school districts in Delco are: Radnor, Rose Tree/Media, Marple Newtown, Wallingford-Swarthmore, Springfield, Haverford, Garnet Valley, and probably Ridley too.

The districts that are below average/poor in Delco are: Upper Darby, Interboro, Chichester, William Penn, Southeast Delco, Chester-Upland (absolute worst)

That's a pretty accurate list.

A couple others to add to the "good" pile: Penn Delco and Unionville-Chadds Ford.

It's hard to recommend other areas without knowing your budget / commuting priorities, but you might also consider the Aston area (which is Penn Delco), as well as the Garnet Valley / Concordville / 202 S. Corridor area. There's been a ton of growth around there in recent years, so there's likely a lot more of the new construction you're looking for. The districts in that area (Garnet Valley and Unionville) are also quite excellent.

[Patmcpsu]

Originally Posted by harionline

Looking to buy home in Delaware county

Originally Posted by harionline

.. also we're interested in single family ranch with a decent yard space. Ranches in Media/Swathmore/wallingford are really old. Newtown square has relatively newer ranch. Any other areas around delaware county you'd recommend?

Is there a specific reason why you are interested in Delaware County? Generally, the suburban sprawl expanded from the city outwards, making the inner ring suburbs older construction (and smaller lots) than the outer ring.

If new construction is important, you'll want to look at the furthest outskirts of Delaware County, or consider the innermost portions of Chester County. As long as you don't have to go to the county courthouse for some reason, the county you live in hardly matters at all.

[ActualUDResident]

Originally Posted by Patmcpsu

Is there a specific reason why you are interested in Delaware County? Generally, the suburban sprawl expanded from the city outwards, making the inner ring suburbs older construction (and smaller lots) than the outer ring.

If new construction is important, you'll want to look at the furthest outskirts of Delaware County, or consider the innermost portions of Chester County. As long as you don't have to go to the county courthouse for some reason, the county you live in hardly matters at all.

Not at all an accurate description of the history of most of the county but who cares, right?

Interboro is a bad district according to who? I would bet money the person posting this everywhere doesn't know anybody with kids in that district.

Marple-Newtown is basically what Springfield was fifteen years ago. Springfield is now what Ridley used to be ten or fifteen years ago. Both of the latter two are basically average.

Marple-Newtown is solid though. I wouldn't choose it over the aforementioned districts near Media but still solid.

[harionline]

Thank you for all inputs.. Really helpful.
Main reason for us to choose Delaware county: Wife and I have opposite commutes. I drive down to Navy yard(closer to stadiums) and she works at West Norriton (On Trooper/363). So Delaware county sounds like a reasonable place to look at for our budget (~450K willing to stretch to 500K if we really like something).

We currently rent in Devon(Chester County). Absolutely love it but we know we can't afford a good house with our budget here.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you all

[Patmcpsu]

Originally Posted by ActualUDResident

Not at all an accurate description of the history of most of the county but who cares, right?

I would love to hear how I'm wrong. Honestly.

EDIT: this page agrees with the trend that I said happened.

[Mdez]

Originally Posted by harionline

Thank you.. also we're interested in single family ranch with a decent yard space. Ranches in Media/Swathmore/wallingford are really old. Newtown square has relatively newer ranch. Any other areas around delaware county you'd recommend?

I saw that you added your budget. You can look at a lot of places in Delaware County with 450-500k:

-Marple Township
-Springfield Township
-Rose Tree/Media
(The three you mentioned)

Also Radnor Township and Haverford Township are great places. Radnor is pretty expensive, but you still may be able to find something there. You can get a very nice sized house in Havertown with your budget and those public schools are very good as well.

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by Mdez

All of the school districts you mentioned are good. Not sure of the chronological order, but you can’t really go wrong with any of those three.

The good school districts in Delco are: Radnor, Rose Tree/Media, Marple Newtown, Wallingford-Swarthmore, Springfield, Haverford, Garnet Valley, and probably Ridley too.

The districts that are below average/poor in Delco are: Upper Darby, Interboro, Chichester, William Penn, Southeast Delco, Chester-Upland (absolute worst)

Like I mentioned, you really can’t go wrong with Marple Newtown, Rose Tree/Media, or Wallingford-Swarthmore. All have good public schools and generally positive statistics. It really comes down to your budget and what town you like best. I believe Newtown Square is generally one the higher priced side- and also be aware that some houses with a Newtown Square address are in Chester County (different schools). There are also a lot of new housing developments in the Glen Mills/Garnet Valley area as well.

Marple Newtown is a very good school district, zero hesitation.

Rose Tree Media and Wallingford-Swarthmore are a step up, but its not a difference worth worrying about.

Newtown Square in particular is among the fastest growing towns in Delaware County, so much construction (mostly high-end homes).

450k will limit you in Newtown Square, but Marple and Broomall have more options in that range (same school district).

The Media area will also have limitations on that budget. You can certainly find a home, but more limited to cape cods, townhomes, or smaller older colonials.

Aston Township and Bethel Township will get you further on a 450k budget.