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Thoughts About Phoenixville, PA

By
Real Estate Agent with GMAC Real Estate/Premier Network

Is Phoenixville a nice place to live? Is the commute on 422 really bad? Will prices decline further? -- David

 

Phoenixville is really living up to its name. This once burnt out, dying town has, in a relatively short period of time, risen from its ashes transformed into a vibrant, diverse community. It offers everything from the big box stores in the strip centers to the boutique shops and restaurants along Bridge St.. Community and neighborhood parks dot the town and various events happen throughout the year. With the river and canal running along the town and Valley Forge Park nearby, there really is something for everyone. Phoenixville is definitely a great place to live.

As for the commute, it will depend upon which part of Phoenixville you live in whether you will use 422 to get to work. If you locate closer to Collegeville or Oaks the best bet will be to take the highway. If you are more east of town you may choose to follow Rt.23 through Valley Forge. No matter which way you go, if you're traveling during rush hour you should expect rush hour traffic. But that's anywhere.

Althoughwe don't have a crystal ball to tell us what will happen in this market we can look at the factors that will affect prices. Phoenixville did not experience an overly dramatic upswing in prices over the last few years. It sits in a prime location adjacent or close to major employment areas at a time when gas costs almost $3/ gallon. Couple that with the towns renaissance and you have a formula for greater price stability, even in todays market. As a matter of fact, the average sold price for houses between $100,000 and $350,000 actually rose $8,000 from Sept. to Oct.. It's taking about a month longer to sell them but this is definitely not one of the doom and gloom areas you hear about in the media.

Anonymous
Richard Mark Kirkner
It amazes me that Phoenixville has been around for more than 200 years and constantly gets rediscovered, but your characterization of a "once burned out, dying" town is disparaging, insulting, and couldn't be further from the truth. Fact is, Phoenixville has always been a great place to live and raise a family, as those of us who have been here for a long time know. My children are fifth generation here, and that is fairly common here. What have we who've lived in Phoenixville for a long time known that the rest of you didn't. Obviously, your characterization shows you never spent much time here in the past.The rest of the region has finally awakened to what we in Phoenixville have known all along but never cared to brag about it. But please stop acting like just because you opened your eyes to Pheonixville yesterday that it was a stink hole beforehand. Your comments insult those of us who have been in town for the long haul. Besides, here you can drink the water! Take that, Collegeville!
Oct 29, 2007 01:00 AM
#1
Donna Saylor & Carolyn Mitchell The Power of TWO!
GMAC Real Estate/Premier Network - Collegeville, PA

We are sorry you took such offense. It was not intended that way.If taken out of context, it is easy to see how "burned out" and "dying" might be considered insulting. And yet we feel there is no better analogy to express the essence of this town. When the flames of the steel mill were snuffed (burned out), Phoenixville found itself in a painful period of decline (dying). Then groups and individuals from government and private sectors created and started executing a comprehensive plan for the resurrection of the town, like the phoenix rising from its ashes. The hearts and souls of many have gone into what we consider one of the greatest, most well planned revitalizations in the area. To deny the state of the town when it started, we feel would be to trivialize their extensive achievement.

Again we apologize for any misunderstanding. 

Oct 29, 2007 06:06 PM