East Goshen balances calm and convenience
East Goshen is a primarily residential township adjacent to the West Chester borough. “The biggest draw is that it borders the more urban area of West Chester, but you get to live the suburban lifestyle at home,” says Joymarie DeFruscio-Achenbach, a Realtor and team owner of the JMC Sales Team at Keller Williams, who has sold in the region for 16 years. The area features a 55-acre community park and quiet streets lined with towering oaks and well-kept lawns. Though it seems secluded from the bustle of a big city, major highways, shopping centers and a downtown district full of restaurants are within 5 miles.
From condos to multimillion-dollar homes
Buyers can choose from a variety of residential areas. “The 55-plus communities make up about a quarter of the township,” DeFruscio-Achenbach says. “At the same time, there are also a lot of families and other communities, so the demographic is all ages.” Homes range from early 19th-century structures to properties built in the last decade, though most date back to the mid-1900s. Homes have a mix of ranch-style, Colonial Revival and New Traditional architecture, typically priced between $400,000 and $800,000. Townhouses also sell within this price range. Properties along the golf courses or in secluded areas can hit the multimillion-dollar range. Smaller condos are available for $200,000 to $400,000. Neighborhoods have a suburban layout with sizeable front lawns and driveways that often stretch far from the street. The CAP Index Crime Score is also 2 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4.
Outdoor activities on nature trails and sports fields
East Goshen Township Park anchors the community, providing many recreation options. The 55-acre park has athletic facilities, fitness trails and a playground. Additional paved trails from Applebrook Park connect to the township park. A few nearby spaces offer an escape into nature, including the Ashbridge and Natural Lands’ Willisbrook preserves. These areas feature extensive trails through grasslands, creeks and forests. Golfers can get a membership at two private clubs in East Goshen: Applebrook Golf Club or Hershey’s Mill Golf Club.
The West Chester Area School District gets an A rating
Children typically attend East Goshen Elementary, J.R. Fugett Middle and West Chester East High. All three schools earn A ratings from Niche. Students may apply to other schools within the district regardless of their zone. The district has options beyond the traditional path, including career and technical education at the Chester County Technical College High School Brandywine Campus. West Chester University, 6 miles away, offers 64 undergraduate programs and over 300 extracurricular activities.
Most dining and big-box stores are in downtown West Chester
East Goshen has a few restaurants, such as Fellini Café for Italian. Most other dining options are in downtown West Chester, 6 miles away. “Downtown has an amazing array of restaurants from chains to local high-end spots, as well as approachable places,” DeFruscio-Achenbach says. Spence Café is a long-standing fine-dining option known for its seafood and meat dishes, and Iron Hill serves regional brews and pub fare. Hersey’s Mill Village Square is a shopping center in East Goshen with a Giant grocery store, banks and other services. Additional big-box stores, including Target and Aldi, are closer to downtown West Chester.
Local parks and downtown streets come alive with events
The East Goshen Township Community Day, held on the last Saturday of June, brings together vendors, a petting zoo and fireworks. The township hosts seasonal farmers markets, and in the fall, the Chester County Art Walk takes place in the community park. The Christmas parade and tree lighting in downtown West Chester kick off the holiday season in early December. Select restaurants serve multicourse meals at fixed prices during West Chester Restaurant Week at the end of February.
Access to two main highways in the Philadelphia area
Pennsylvania Route 3 and U.S. Route 202 run along the northern and southern borders of East Goshen. “The access is incredible — you can get on routes 202 or 3 and easily get to pretty much anywhere in the state,” DeFruscio-Achenbach says. These highways lead to Philadelphia, 35 miles east. Commuters can also reach Interstate 76 within 10 miles. Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority buses stop along King Road, and the Exton and Paoli Amtrak stations are within 6 miles.
