School district and proximity to jobs stand out in West Whiteland
Highly regarded schools and proximity to jobs drive people to the suburban Philadelphia township of West Whiteland. The West Chester Area School District receives an A rating from Niche. "It's a great value for the taxes people pay for the school district," says Lee Ann Embrey, a resident and Realtor at Coldwell Banker Realty. An intersection of highways eases the commute to Philadelphia and employers that are even closer. For example, it’s only about 5 miles from the offices of The Vanguard Group Inc., one of the world’s largest investment management firms and Chester County’s biggest employer. Another advantage is the community’s train station, where people can hop on and ride to Philadelphia. “You’d have to drive to the train station, but you could take the train into the city, so it’s still car-dependent,” says Lori Grier, a Realtor at Coldwell Banker Realty who lives in Chester County and sells homes in West Whiteland.
Single-family subdivisions and townhomes near the train station
Split-level homes and Colonial Revivals line subdivision streets, where abundant trees shade yards and sometimes surround houses. Prices for turnkey homes smaller than 2,500 square feet usually range from $370,000 to $760,000. Houses larger than 2,500 square feet typically cost between $630,000 and $1.1 million. Townhome communities are common near Exton Station. Townhouses with three or fewer bedrooms have sold from $275,000 to $680,000, while four- and five-bedroom units have recently sold from $350,000 to $815,000.
Schools in the West Chester Area district receive high Niche grade
Children in West Whiteland can attend Mary C. Howse Elementary, Peirce Middle and Henderson High. Niche gives all three schools A grades. Students in the West Chester Area School District who want to participate in extracurriculars must pay an annual activity fee. The fee covers the cost of sports and clubs, and a student who pays the fee can join as many activities as they want. For example, the $112 activity fee at Henderson High covers more than 30 extracurriculars, including marching band, robotics competition and lacrosse.
Town Centre at Exton project aims to make over the local retail scene
Shopping centers cluster around Pottstown Pike, so there are more than a dozen big-box retailers and department stores for residents to shop at. These stores include national chains such as Walmart, Whole Foods Market and Old Navy, as well as Produce Junction, a regional chain specializing in seasonal produce and flowers. A developer plans to demolish Exton Square Mall and replace it with Town Centre at Exton, a walkable complex with stores, restaurants, offices and townhouses. The project still needs final approval from the local government, but the developer aims to begin in 2026. If the project gets the green light, it could revive the area where the mall stands. "The mall became like a ghost town," Embrey says. Trader Joe's confirmed the "urban legend" that Embrey said was floating around the community when the trendy grocery store chain announced it'll open an Exton store in late 2025.
Restaurant chains fill shopping centers, but residents can also eat local at spots such as VK Brewing Co. & Eatery, located inside an 18th-century inn. If locals crave a more walkable shopping and dining district, there’s one 5 miles away. “You’re only about 10 minutes from downtown West Chester, where there are restaurants, bars and a farmers market,” Grier says. West Chester is also home to Chester County Hospital.
Trailhead, dog park and cricket field among the amenities at Exton Par
Exton Park covers more than 700 acres on the east side. Residents can rent out any of the three multipurpose fields, where the Chester County Cricket Academy plays games. The Swedesford Recreation Area opened in 2023, adding a dog park, disc golf course and new playground to Exton Park. There’s also a parking lot and access point for the Chester Valley Trail, a nearly 19-mile paved pedestrian and cycling path that stretches through Chester and Montgomery counties. The PGA has hosted amateur golf events at Whitford County Club, which is only open to members. For indoor entertainment, locals can bowl and play pickleball at Round1 Bowling & Arcade.
Summer festivities and a Fall Fest held at Exton Park
West Whiteland holds many events at Exton Park. In July, Exton Park Community Day brings live music, food trucks and a beer garden to the green space. Yard games, a zip line and a rock wall are set up on the grass, while kids can ride ponies and treat stuffed animals at the teddy bear hospital. The park also hosts the Fall Fest in October. Pet owners dress up their dogs for a costume contest and trick-or-treaters roam between tents in search of candy.
Using highways and the train to reach Philadelphia
Southeastern Pennsylvanian Transportation Authority buses stop around the community. Multiple state highways pass through West Whiteland, and Interstate 76 is just to the north. It’s a roughly 35-mile drive to Philadelphia. Both Amtrak and Southeastern Pennsylvanian Transportation Authority trains depart from a station in West Whiteland. By train, the trip to Philadelphia can take between 30 minutes and an hour. Airlines fly directly to more than 120 destinations from Philadelphia International Airport.
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Written By
Alex Soderstrom
