$591,222Average Value$275Average Price per Sq Ft81Homes For Sale
Centered around a historic downtown and a college campus
West Chester, a small borough about 35 miles west of Philadelphia, is defined by its historic downtown area in its center and the expansive campus of West Chester University on the south side. In many ways, it serves as a self-contained city, as residents are able to find shops, restaurants, brand-name grocery stores and plenty of annual events without venturing to the City of Brotherly Love’s busy streets. “West Chester is one of those that people get obsessed with,” says Sean Elstone, a Realtor with Keller Williams Main Line Realty. “It’s beautiful, and it’s in horse country. There’s tons of green space, state parks and it’s easy enough to find on a map.”
West Chester University’s presence on the south side comes in the form of a sweeping campus with most of its central buildings surrounding an open, grassy area for students to hang out. The downtown area celebrates its small businesses with various events throughout the year, and outside of the downtown the area takes on the form of a suburb with expansive lawns and large homes. With a population of nearly 20,000, the city also won the 2017 Great American Main Street Award for the growth and revitalization of the commercial district. “People are totally fanatical about West Chester – people love to say they live in, or are from, West Chester,” Elstone says. “It has a beautiful downtown with a great local food scene.”
Friends gather to eat, drink, and laugh at the Gay Street Open-Air Market.
Gay and High Streets serve as the center of West Chester's lively dining scene.
West Chester University students let off steam with some disc throwing on The Quad.
The local pubs enjoy the increased foot traffic the annual Christkindlmarkt brings.
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Several main streets of shopping and dining
Gay, Chestnut and Market Streets all run parallel to each other in the downtown area, and are all connected by High Street, which runs perpendicular to the trio of thoroughfares. Within the historic area of downtown, residents can find a wide array of boutique shops, craft stores and more. Restaurants fall into a selection of breweries, taverns, grills and cafes. “All of it is in West Chester,” Elstone says of finding shopping or dining. “You don’t have to go anywhere. There are so many restaurants in the center of West Chester, and Market Street has a number of restaurants.” The downtown is its own hub, meaning residents won’t have to venture out to Philadelphia. Historic sites include the Lincoln Building, where the first biography of Abraham Lincoln was published.
Residents can also engage in a mixture of events, be it as small as a karaoke night or as large as street festivals. The Gay Street Open-Air Market was first launched in 2021 and has taken place every year since, where four blocks of Gay Street are shut down from Friday to Monday mornings, each weekend from early May to the end of September. Its aim is to bring the community together, and local stores and restaurants set up shop outdoors for residents to stroll through. Grocery stops include a GIANT in the downtown area and a ShopRite to the east.
Red brick sidewalks contribute to West Chester's hometown feel.
West Chester has many historic sites such as the Lincoln Building on Market Street.
West Chester residents have several grocery options such as ShopRite along Rt 3.
Walking and window shopping are popular pastimes in West Chester.
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Commemorating aviation, music, wine and more
Besides the weekly market extravaganza from spring to early fall, residents have no shortage of other events and landmarks. Less than 5 miles north of the region, the American Helicopter Museum and Education Center has more than 40 aircraft for locals to view, including several that allow visitors to get an inside look. Live music fills the air at the Turks Head Music Festival, which has endured for over 40 years and celebrates music, arts and more.
Wineries are also in the area, with a pair of prominent establishments each less than 10 miles away. “There are a bunch of wineries in the area, and Chaddsford Winery is probably the shining star,” Elstone says. “Longwood Gardens isn’t far away. The area is known for farms and horse farms, so there’s a lot of agriculture.” Residents can get a full experience of the wineries by taking to the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail.
The American Helicopter Museum is a hidden gem known to few outside West Chester.
Chaddsford Winery provides West Chester folks with a fun place to enjoy local wines.
The appeal of the West Chester Grower's Market is the variety of products available.
Live music can be seen and heard along the length of the Gay Street Open-Air Market.
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A city centered around West Chester University
The West Chester Area School District is comprised of 11 elementary schools, three middle schools and three high schools, and Niche gives the district as a whole an A rating. West Chester University’s campus sprawls on the south side of the area, with a central open grassy area surrounded by the school buildings. “It feels a little bit more like a main street USA kind of town, and it’s a university town at the same time,” Elstone says. “West Chester University is the heart and soul of West Chester, and it’s a big factor in employment and student housing.”
The school is more than 150 years old and has an undergraduate enrollment of nearly 15,000, along with around 3,000 postgraduate students. “There’s a lot of longtime residents in the center of town, but downtown, a lot of it is rentals for students,” Elstone says. “A lot are local southeastern Pennsylvania residents that will commute, but you probably have 5,000 to 8,000 students in downtown West Chester.” The school’s notable alumni include First Lady Jill Biden and University of Connecticut women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma.
Brandywine reek runs through West Chester and connects with the Christina River in Delaware.
Some call West Chester a suburb of Philadelphia but it's really a city all its own.
A young family takes advantage of a sunny February day in West Chester.
A four-legged West Chester resident asserts his rights over a stump in Everhart Park.
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Nearby highways, but distant from the city
The West Chester Bypass and Route 202 are the closest major roads. The bypass connects the area with major interstates like 76 and 95, and the closest access to Interstate 95 is around 15 miles south in Wilmington. Getting to Philadelphia by car requires a trip of over 30 miles east. “People are living in West Chester to not have to go to Philadelphia for anything except sports and to use the international airport,” Elstone says. “Generally speaking, they are more likely to go to Delaware than Philadelphia. They’re close enough that they can.” SEPTA public transportation services include buses and trains; for rail travel, residents can head about 5 miles north to the Exton stop. Philadelphia International Airport sits a bit closer than the city itself, just under 25 miles away.
Various park sizes and golf courses
A number of parks are scattered in and around West Chester, ranging from smaller, pocket green spaces to more expansive tracts of land. The private West Chester Golf Club has a nine-hole course on the north side of the city. “They have their own park squares throughout the town, but once you get out of town, golf is everywhere that you look,” Elstone says. “Radley Run Country Club is up there, and there’s Hershey’s Mill Golf Club and White Manor Country Club. Brandywine Creek runs through the middle of West Chester, and it’s attached to that. The Brandywine Museum of Art is beautiful.” The three golf courses are all located less than 10 miles from West Chester, and the creek itself is a tributary of the Christina River.
The West Chester Golf Club is a private venue located just outside the downtown area.
At over 1100 acres, Longwood Gardens is the largest botanical garden in the US.
Everhart Park is a popular destination for fun and events such as Turk's Head Music Festival
The memorial fountain at Marshall Square Park is a West Chester landmark.
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Stately homes and a variety of townhouses
Homes in West Chester have a median selling price of $565,808, which is above the national median cost of $416,700 and significantly higher than the statewide median price. “West Chester is amazing,” Elstone says. “It’s like a ton of those stone, colonial, center-hall, beautiful homes. Everybody ends up with a much larger lot. The further out from Philly you go, the larger the lots get. The average is probably over an acre.”
Properties in the city only stay on market for around two weeks, and housing styles include Cape Cods and ranch-style homes along with the colonials. Single-family homes frequently cost anywhere from $550,000 to $1.5 million, depending on style and acreage. Townhouses are also popular in the area, and commonly cost between $350,000 and $700,000. Others can range into the million-dollar range. “Everybody’s got these big, beautiful trees in their yard, and if you drive three miles in any direction, you pass horse farms,” Elstone says. “I’m telling you, it’s gorgeous.”
On a yearly basis, West Chester receives almost a full foot of rainfall above the national mean, with 49 inches of rain recorded; the United States averages 38. Its 22 inches of snowfall are close to the national average of 28, and it experiences cold winters and warm summers due to its location in the northeastern United States.
Homes in West Chester come in many sizes including townhouses close to downtown.
Single-story ranches and Cape Cods with front yards can been throughout West Chester.
Newer, colonial homes with large yards can be found just outside downtown West Chester.
This modern, contemporary home sits on a large lot very close to downtown West Chester.
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Low crime rates in West Chester
West Chester is considered safer than 27% of cities in the United States, recording 17.36 offenses per 1,000 locals on an annual basis according to FBI data. It records about 34 violent crimes each year, as opposed to 305 property-based offenses.
Written By
Adam Cheek
Photography Contributed By
Jay Ratchford
Video By
Chris Norton
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kristie Bergey,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in West Chester, PA sell after 20 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in West Chester, PA over the last 12 months is $625,000, up 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Conveniently located property boasting privacy and NO HOA dues! Welcome to 1419 Pottstown Pike, a quick 3 miles drive to the heart of West Chester Borough for dining, offering accessibility to Rt 202, the train, Rt 100 and Rt 30, its an opportunity to be in a newer single home in West Chester School District! The property sits on a generous lot of 1 acre with loads of natural light. FIRST FLOOR:
*TOUR OUR BEAUTIFUL MODEL HOME @ 1441 BERWYN PAOLI ROAD, PAOLI* Don't miss the FINAL HOMESITE at Timber Mill! Zappitelli Homes is a custom homebuilder dedicated to bringing your vision to life—whether you want to design your dream home from the ground up or choose from one of our expertly crafted and well-loved floorplans. Timber Mill is our newest private enclave of 5 homes nestled on over 1
*TOUR A COMPLETED HOME @ 1441 BERWYN PAOLI RD, PAOLI* Take advantage of the final homesite at Timber Mill! Zappitelli Homes is a custom homebuilder dedicated to bringing your vision to life—whether you want to design your dream home from the ground up or choose from one of our expertly crafted and well-loved floorplans. Timber Mill is a private enclave of 5 estate homes on 1 acre plus homesites
Back on the market due to a Buyers. This completely renovated 1-bedroom, 1-bath condo with a private entrance featuring a stone path and ample parking. Enjoy open-concept living with new vinyl flooring, recessed lighting throughout, and updated features including a modern kitchen with gray cabinets, veined quartz counters, white subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, and a breakfast
Conveniently located property boasting privacy and NO HOA dues! Welcome to 1419 Pottstown Pike, a quick 3 miles drive to the heart of West Chester Borough for dining, offering accessibility to Rt 202, the train, Rt 100 and Rt 30, its an opportunity to be in a newer single home in West Chester School District! The property sits on a generous lot of 1 acre with loads of natural light. FIRST FLOOR:
**Welcome to this beautifully updated and energy-efficient 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home located in the highly regarded West Chester Area School District!** Nestled on a manicured lot with mature landscaping and a **-car garage**, this home offers space, style, and comfort. Inside, you’ll find a spacious **living room** that flows seamlessly into the **formal dining room**—perfect for entertaining.
Welcome to The Woodlands at Brandywine, a community of new construction homes for sale in West Chester, PA. The Woodlands at Brandywine offers custom new construction homes on spacious 0.5-1-acre homesites backing up to woods. Enjoy the perfect mix of privacy and convenience, with easy access to downtown West Chester, Route 30, and Philadelphia. Served by the top-rated West Chester School
Welcome to The Woodlands at Brandywine, a community of new construction homes for sale in West Chester, PA. The Woodlands at Brandywine offers custom new construction homes on spacious 0.5-1-acre homesites backing up to woods. Enjoy the perfect mix of privacy and convenience, with easy access to downtown West Chester, Route 30, and Philadelphia. Served by the top-rated West Chester School
Welcome to The Woodlands at Brandywine, a community of new construction homes for sale in West Chester, PA. The Woodlands at Brandywine offers custom new construction homes on spacious 0.5-1-acre homesites backing up to woods. Enjoy the perfect mix of privacy and convenience, with easy access to downtown West Chester, Route 30, and Philadelphia. Served by the top-rated West Chester School
Welcome to The Woodlands at Brandywine, a community of new construction homes for sale in West Chester, PA. The Woodlands at Brandywine offers custom new construction homes on spacious 0.5-1-acre homesites backing up to woods. Enjoy the perfect mix of privacy and convenience, with easy access to downtown West Chester, Route 30, and Philadelphia. Served by the top-rated West Chester School
Available immediately! Make this former builders model home yours TODAY! 1538 Tattersall Way is resplendent with the stylish design, luxury upgrades, and custom enhancements that you desire! Including a premium lot of grassy yards & mature trees overlooking the 8th hole of the Broad Run Golf Course! JUST IMAGINE: evenings in your Hot Tub enjoying spectacular sunsets over the golf course;
The Augusta features an open floorplan and first-floor Owner’s Suite. An eat-in Kitchen and Breakfast Area are open to the Family Room. The Owner’s Suite has a full bath and large walk-in closet. A Study and formal Dining Room are off the front Foyer. The Laundry Room leads to a 2-car Garage. A Loft Area, full bath, and 3 additional bedrooms with walk-in closets are located upstairs. The Augusta
Welcome to Sussex of West Chester by Hellings Builders—an ultra-exclusive, gated enclave where luxury, privacy, and natural beauty converge atop the rolling hills of Chester County. Set on expansive 2+ acre homesites, each mansion estate offers unmatched seclusion, panoramic countryside views, and breathtaking sunsets that paint the sky each evening. Just 5.2 miles from the vibrant West Chester
*TOUR OUR BEAUTIFUL MODEL HOME @ 1441 BERWYN PAOLI ROAD, PAOLI* Don't miss the FINAL HOMESITE at Timber Mill! Zappitelli Homes is a custom homebuilder dedicated to bringing your vision to life—whether you want to design your dream home from the ground up or choose from one of our expertly crafted and well-loved floorplans. Timber Mill is our newest private enclave of 5 homes nestled on over 1
The Hawthorne is a 4 bed, 2.5 bath home featuring an open floorplan with 2-story Family Room, Breakfast Area, and Kitchen with island and walk-in pantry. The first floor also has a Dining Room, Living Room, and private Study. The Entry Area has a walk-in closet and leads to the 2-car Garage. Upstairs, the hallway overlooks the Family Room below. The Owner's Suite features 2 walk-in closets and a
Jefferson at Westtown, great for West Chester University students or for families! We are a luxury apartment community located in historic West Chester, Pennsylvania. We have upgraded all of our unit interiors with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and newly refinished cabinets. In addition, residents will be able to indulge in a resort-style pool, 24 hour fitness center, state of
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! Westtown Wonderland! A well appointed, executive home available to exemplary tenants! Well maintained colonial on gorgeous home site in a convenient, sought-after West Chester neighborhood. The stone-front residence sits regally on the lush, tree-enhanced, landscaped grounds. To the rear, a stunning swimming pool/barbeque oasis is surrounded by exquisite landscape
Beckon Collective is the destination for luxury apartments in West Chester. With contemporary designer finishes our spacious studio, 1 and 2 bedroom apartments, offer endless comforts to help you love life here. Take advantage of our resort-style amenities or venture out to the exceptional dining and shopping options available with our unparalleled location in Chester County. Contact our office
Beautiful Updated End-Unit Townhome for Rent Brandywine at Thornbury | West Chester Area School District (Rustin High School) Welcome to this stunning end-unit townhome, freshly updated and truly a joy to live in, located in the highly sought-after Brandywine at Thornbury community and the award-winning West Chester School District, home to top-rated Rustin High School. This gorgeous home has
Find yourself right at home in a warm and welcoming community offering spacious one, two and three-bedroom apartments in West Chester. Enjoy the benefits of an unbeatable location just minutes from downtown shops and restaurants and conveniently close to the area's top roadways including Route 202 and West Chester Pike. A pet-friendly community, The Point at West Chester offers amazing
Welcome home to this spacious and light-filled townhouse located right in Chesterfield. A charming front porch invites you inside, where you are greeted by a bright kitchen featuring white cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, and granite countertops. The kitchen opens seamlessly to a cozy breakfast nook with two large windows and plenty of space for a dining table. The main level also boasts a
Renting shouldn't be hard®. We do things differently to provide you with an easy experience from the second you start searching for your new apartment, with features such as a security deposit alternative, 30-day move-in guarantee, no-fee transfer and move-out flexibility options, no weight limits on pets, 24/7 phone support, full quality move-in inspection, plus online applications, payments and
Available immediately! Westtown Mews 3 BR, 2 Full Baths open Family Room with Sliders to Private Patio. Formal DR with Ceiling Fan. Updated Kitchen with Breakfast Nook Bar. Second Floor MBR with updated Full Bath. Large Walk-In Closet, 2 additional BR's and Full Bath in Hallway. All Appliances included. Development has Playground area with Plenty of Open Space. Water and Sewer are included. NO
Live a life you love at Golf Club Apartments in West Goshen in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Choose from studio, 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments for rent, situated close to West Chester Pike for the perfect pairing of both comfort and convenience. When it comes to home, the details matter. Here, thoughtful in-home features like air conditioning and community amenities like a swimming pool help
Discover casual elegance and comfortable living in this beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath interior townhome featuring a spacious, open floor plan ideal for everyday living and entertaining. The first floor welcomes you with an entry foyer and powder room and opens into a bright living and dining area, a family room with a striking two-sided fireplace, and a well-appointed kitchen with
Waterview Apartments in West Chester, Pennsylvania, is centrally located between Philadelphia and Wilmington for the perfect commute. For those who want more of a suburban lifestyle, our studios, one-, and two-bedroom apartments for rent offer spacious floor plans and comfortable finishes. Community enhancements are underway with unparalleled amenities including dog park, putting green, outdoor
Welcome to your new home at 300 N Penn St W9, West Chester, PA! This beautifully renovated two-bedroom, one-bath apartment offers the perfect blend of modern comfort and convenience just steps from downtown. The bright and open layout features luxury plank vinyl flooring throughout—no carpet to maintain—and a stunning modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances, custom cabinetry, and a sleek
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