Here are a few of the best reasons to live in Downtown West Chester.

1. Small-Town Charm with Downtown Access

West Chester, PA—home to nearly 20,000 people and the county seat of Chester County—has lots of small-town charm with the added convenience of being close to Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE. West Chester stands out for a number of reasons, and chief among them is walkability. Within just blocks, you can find convenience stores and pharmacies for your practical needs, as well as restaurants and shopping for when you want to indulge. Take a stroll to the post office or the bakery for your daily errands, and then take your kids over to the community park or go for a jog throughout town. West Chester’s standout downtown area has garnered national recognition, such as with the 2017 Great American Main Street Award, its inclusion as a Great Neighborhood in Pennsylvania by the American Planning Association, and ranking on a number of top 10 lists for best cities to live in Pennsylvania. Family-owned shops and restaurants are situated throughout the neighborhood, and nightlife options offer a familiar, friendly vibe that makes everyone feel welcome in Downtown West Chester.

2. Nestled in Chester County

West Chester is nestled amid the rolling hills of Chester County, providing access to the all the vineyards and blossoming nature that Brandywine Valley has to offer to residents of Sharples Works. One of the most well-known wineries in Chester County is Chaddsford Winery, which is also one of the state’s oldest. In about a 20–minute drive, wine aficionados can find themselves sampling local wines at Chaddsford, Galer Estate, or Penns Wood Wineries. 

Year round, West Chester locals drive to the highly acclaimed botanical gardens at Longwood Gardens. In just a 30 minute drive you can find yourself enjoying fountain shows, immersing yourself in cultural performances, and appreciating the exquisite floral displays that Longwood perfects year round.  

3. Convenient Access to Highly Traveled Roads 

Whether you work in West Chester or the surrounding areas, the town is located near several major thoroughfares so you can travel the region quickly and conveniently. Sharples Works apartments are situated near several car and public transportation options and the residents enjoy the convenient commutes. Routes 202 and 322 are highly traveled roads that connect to points throughout Chester and Montgomery counties, while West Chester Pike cuts right through the heart of town and connects straight to Center City Philadelphia, though the commute time is just under an hour most days. Residents of West Chester also commute to nearby Great Valley and King of Prussia, as well as Wilmington, DE, which is about a 35-minute drive.

4. Employment Opportunities in Chester County

Downtown West Chester is a hub of economic development for the region, with businesses large and small offering jobs and innovation. The town is approximately an hour west of Philadelphia, a commute that may be too lengthy for some city workers, although West Chester itself provides ample employment opportunities. The county seat of Chester County, it is a hub of both government and commerce. National corporations have come to call West Chester home, such as QVC, and many medical, engineering, and supply companies. As an added benefit and convenience, Sharples Works recognizes dozens of companies as Preferred Employers and offers its residents a reduced security deposit and waived application fee when signing a lease. 

5. Shopping & Dining in Downtown West Chester 

Among the many factors that propelled West Chester to such recognition is the unique fusion of the past and present: Downtown West Chester, with its many historic buildings and mom-and-pop shops, stays true to its quaint charm, all the while witnessing a renaissance of new restaurants, shops and entertainment venues. Downtown West Chester is home to more than 75 retail shops and boutiques, featuring a wide range of goods and services at varying price points to meet every shopper’s needs. From upscale boutiques to vintage thrift shops, a stroll through the borough will have you covered. Art galleries allow you to decorate your apartment in West Chester with locally made pieces, while gift shops offer handmade, one-of-a-kind items perfect for the holiday-shopping season (or for when you want to gift yourself a little something!). Many of the shops participate in community-wide events throughout the year, such as several days of discounts and special events for Small Business Saturday and sidewalk sales in the spring. For those who want to venture outside of Downtown West Chester, just 20 minutes away residents will find the King of Prussia Mall, home to more than 400 stores. 

Shoppers who work up an appetite can stop into the more than 65 eateries in the area—or try a new one each day for a new culinary adventure! The town is known by foodies throughout the region as a haven of quality cuisine, with more than 65 restaurants in just a several-block radius, which match the diversity of West Chester: There are fine-dining establishments like Dolce Zola, a popular Italian BYOB, and casual, quirky eateries like Jaco Juice & Taco Bar. You can take advantage of downtown West Chester’s charming streets with al fresco dining when the weather is nice, making for a fun Sunday morning brunch outing or a romantic date night. Restaurants represent flavors from around the world and items at all price points, with a good mix of West Chester staples and newcomers.

6. Nightlife & Community Events for All Residents

The entertainment options are just as diverse as the shopping and restaurant scenes. The nightlife scene in downtown West Chester is popular with everyone from local West Chester University college students to longtime neighborhood residents. If you’re a sports fan, Kildare‘s is a perfect choice, while Split Rail Tavern is a hit with fans of microbrews and The Social is a great spot for live music. Live entertainment can also be found nightly at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, a downtown theater that hosts everything from music concerts and comedy shows to kids’ plays.

Nightlife aside, in keeping with its small-town charm, Downtown West Chester places a heavy emphasis on community. There are plenty of attractions near Sharples Works, in addition to concerts, festivals, markets, parades, races, and more—many of which take advantage of the neighborhood’s many large public spaces and parks. Because of the town’s popularity with families, many community events are held year-round that cater to families, such as summer music festivals, a town-wide restaurant festival in the fall, and the nationally recognized Christmas parade. A number of such events take advantage of West Chester’s many outdoor public spaces—with several community parks packed into just a few blocks of one another!—to encourage you to mix and mingle with your neighbors, whose diversity gives the town that friendly feel that it’s known for. The active local community allows young professionals just getting their careers started plenty of outlets to build new networks, while families can take advantage of West Chester’s safe streets, leading schools, and ample outdoor activities to keep youngsters engaged and entertained.

7. Great School District 

When it comes to kids, West Chester has become a destination for families that want to take advantage of its location, safety, affordability, and quality education. The West Chester Area School District educates more than 12,000 students every year at 10 elementary schools, three middle schools, and three high schools. Despite the large size of the district, students can receive personalized attention with small class sizes and highly qualified staff, with about two-thirds of the district’s teachers holding master’s degrees. The district has received Education Quotient magazine’s coveted Gold Medal District rating for three years in a row.

No matter your age or interests, if you’re looking to be surrounded by a strong and active community, living in West Chester is a smart choice. Contact Sharples Works today to find out more about living in Downtown West Chester and schedule a tour!