West Goshen's suburban living, city access and highly rated schools
With a history dating back to 1681, when the land was first purchased, West Goshen is a township in Chester County, situated just 35 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Initially a farming community, the township’s population surged in the mid-20th century as Philadelphians sought more rural living. Today, the community is home to approximately 23,000 residents, known for its suburban character, proximity to the city and educational opportunities. “It’s iconically suburbia, and it’s suburbia in a major metro area, no less. You can hop right on the train and get into Philadelphia in less than an hour,” says Susan Mattern, a Realtor with eXp Realty who’s been assisting homebuyers around the Philadelphia area for over a decade. After growing up in West Goshen, Mattern lived in many places and eventually returned to the county. “There’s a ton of parks, and a ton of things for families to do, plus the school district is rated very highly. Many people move here to raise their kids.”
Large, single-family homes and low property taxes
In West Goshen, neighbors have room to spread out, with most homes sitting on at least a quarter to half an acre. Residential roads are quiet, and Mattern says it’s common to see kids out biking and families going for walks around the community. In terms of pricing, condos sell at the lower end, usually between $275,000 and $370,000. “Most midcentury single-family homes that are between $400,000 and $600,000 need some work done. There’s a lot of new construction that can easily hit a million,” Mattern says. “The houses here are huge, and our taxes are low compared to areas around us, like Coatesville.” Homes built at the end of the 20th century are usually priced between $650,000 and $790,000, while large, modern homes sell for $800,000 to $1.6 million.
Top-ranked schools in West Chester Area School District
The township is served by the West Chester Area School District, which receives an A rating from Niche. Pennsylvania allows school choice within a district during an open enrollment period. While the district has several elementary schools, most children will attend either Fern Hill or Glen Acres Elementary, as both are located within the township. Students may move on to either Fugett or Peirce Middle School before heading to East High. East High School has a 96% graduation rate and is one of several schools in the district that have made top rankings for academics in the state. All schools receive an A rating. Portions of the public West Chester University of Pennsylvania’s campus are shared between West Chester and West Goshen.
Parks offer diverse outdoor recreation and kid-friendly activities
West Goshen has several well-maintained green spaces, including the skating area and connected dog park at Robert E. Lambert Park, as well as the playground, sports courts, and walking trails at West Goshen Park. “In the summertime, West Goshen Park has a great camp for kids. I sent all my kids there when they were little,” Mattern says. “West Chester University has swim classes for kids that are popular. Oh, and lacrosse and ice hockey are big here. Parents will move here so their kids can attend ice hockey programs through West Chester.” Located adjacent to West Goshen Park is Ice Line, an indoor ice rink where high school and college-level ice hockey practices and games are held.
Quick access to shopping centers and local restaurants
Most of the area’s retail is clustered near the center of the township, off Paoli and West Chester Pike. West Goshen Shopping Center is one of several shopping plazas, housing stores such as Target, ACME Markets and Aldi. While the community has plenty of chain restaurants, there are locally owned spots that have garnered long-lasting community support. The Stone Tavern 1867, an Irish pub known for its hearty meals and live music, has been serving residents of West Goshen for over 25 years.
Major routes, plenty of bus stops and getting to Philadelphia
Several main regional roads run through the community, including U.S. Route 202, U.S. Route 322 and Pennsylvania Route 3. Taking Route 202, downtown Philadelphia is roughly 35 miles away. The ChescoBus, operated by the Transportation Management of Chester County, has numerous stops throughout the township, offering public transportation throughout the larger county area. West Goshen is home to the Chester County Hospital, and the Philadelphia International Airport is 24 miles east, servicing many major commercial airlines.
