Best Places to Live 2007: No. 9 town
What do you think of the No. 9 town on this year’s Best Places to Live list? What makes it a great American town? Are real estate prices reasonable? How are the schools? What activities and events does it offer? Is it a place where you can live a low-stress life? If you don’t live there now, would you consider moving there? Tell us what you think. The best replies will be published here, and possibly in a future story on CNNMoney.com.
I moved to Wallingford with my husband & children 9 years ago. We love it. I really cannot say enough good things about it & the people who live here (including Swarthmore, Rose Valley, Rutledge). It has that small town charm (you can’t go into the “Wawa” without running into someone you know), yet it’s close to everything (airport-15 min, beach-1 1/2 hr, Center City- 1/2 hour, stadiums-20 min). One asset that wasn’t mentioned is that we have a wonderful Community Arts Center also! There’s really something for everyone here. We live near the high-school, and it’s the best sound in August when we hear the band start to practice! They are amazing & the Friday night football games are “standing room only”! Maybe it’s just because we have 4 very actively involved children (and have met many people through their schools & activities), but the sense of community here can’t be beat. Moving here was one of the best decisions we’ve made.
i live in hamilton township nj. ITS A GREAT PLACE 30 MINUTES TO PHILADELPHIA.EXT 12 EXPRESSWAY. NEXT TO AC AIRPORT. 10 MINUTES TO AC. ACROSS THE STREET FROM GREAT STORES. AND SURROUNDED BY WOODS AND THE BEST RUNNING TRAILS AND NEARBY ESTEEL MANOR PARK. I GOT BEACH CITY PARKS CASINOS GREAT ZOOS AND THINGS ARE JUST GETTING BETTER HERE.
We just moved this spring from Center City, Philadelphia to Rutledge (part of same school district as Wallingford, but with sidewalks, lighting, and lovely Victorian homes). I can say with certainty that we have not regretted moving at all. We love our new community, our son has neighbors he plays with often, we find it peaceful, with a nearby train station and easy access to places we like to go. I would encourage your readers to check out other neighborhoods in addition to Wallingford — this general area has lots of housing options.
I have lived in Wallingford for 10 years and, while I love it here for many of the reasons mentioned in the article, I also think a “best place to live” should have sidewalks and lighting, both of which Wallingford lacks. In addition, a pitifully reduced recycling program does not exactly make this one of the most environmentally friendly communities. A great place to live, but with some room to improve.
We built our home in 1957 for about $35K and it is now worth about $350K. Picked Wallingford because of good schools and our location is walking distance to schools, no need to ride school buses. Located on a quiet cul-de-sac within walking distance of the train, library, post office and two churches. It was an ideal place to have raised two children and also two grandchildren have gone all the way through the school system. Couldn’t ask for nicer, friendlier neighbors. a great place to live.
Wallingford is a great place as its close to the major highways and yet affords one to be surrounded by plush greenery and open spaces
I moved to Wallingford 6 years ago and love it! It’s scenic, quiet and easy to commute to anywhere. A nice place to live.
I moved to Wallingford nine years ago, and the best thing about living here is that you get the best of suburbia, but it is such an old suburb that there are full grown trees everywhere!
It is a wonderful town, and everyone has so much pride! There is truly no greater joy than to wake up in the morning and know that I can go outside and be surrounded by the beauty of the dappled sunlight and the support of the wonderfuly community! Bravo, Wallingford!
I read your article with interest, albeit I find it impossible to believe. Nether Providence, PA is not a place. Nether Providence is the name of the Township within which Wallingford is found. Several other “areas” are found within this township also. While your breakdown of local stats is mind-boggling (body mass index? )..they can not possibly have been compiled from data secured from all the various “sections” of Nether Providence Township [Editor's Note: Body mass index is county data, as indicated with a footnote on the town's page]. As for the statement that “most residents can walk or bike to Media”..that would really only apply to the people who live in the neighborhood of the house pictured in your 9. Nether Providence (Wallingford) PA. paragraph. Unless I’m mistaken, that house is located in “Bowling Green” a very nice, high income area on the edge of Nether Providence Township and adjacent to the town of Media. This article is so far off base it isn’t funny. I’ve lived in Wallingford since 1936.
I moved to Wallingford ten years ago because of the school district and the feel of the place. Whenever I think about moving to be closer to my job, I think, “Nah, Wallingford is great. It is quiet but close to commercial centers in every direction. It is near Philly. In my neighborhood, it’s all young couples, lemonade stands and ice cream trucks in the summer. Suburbia at it’s best.” But I don’t think we are in danger of becoming overcrowded. There is no place to build and very few homes for sale.
Family built home in 1950 and were still here.
Over 500 kids from age 4-14 play soccer ever Saturday under auspices NPAA. Strong Accademic and Arts focus in HS along with Atletics.
PA State Record 94 Consecutive District Wins in Football. Football, Girls and Boys Soccer State Champs since 2000 along with regional Robotocs Club Champions. 250 students are in High School band —produced it’s on CD, a best seller.
[I]Only way get parking spot and stadium seat during football season is to arrive by 6:15PM for 7:30PM kickoff.[/I]
Yep, looks like our secret is out.
One of the best features Nether Providence offers is that “small town” feeling. In the fall, practically all of the township residents are watching the high school football games on Friday nights at Strath Haven. Wallingford certainly has a Norman Rockwell charm.
Nether Providence (Wallingford) is a wonderful town to live in. The schools are legitimately highly rated, and the community is close knit and family oriented. There are many diverse cultural activities available in the immediate area, as well as easy access to Philadelphia’s tremendous resources. There is close access to good transporation systems, with lots of alternative ways to get around. These are characteristics of a mature community. All in all, a great place to live.
The best known secret is out!!! My family and I live here, and its the best place to raise a family! Minimal new construction, mature plantings, minimal traffic congestion, no industry, close to major highways, and the greatest public school system!!! A quiet,caring, well manicured haven in the midst of a major metropolitan area! 20 minutes by car to Phila and Wilmington, DE. 2 hours by car to NYC and Baltimore. …and did I mention the awesome school system?!? A great, down to earth, friendly, intellectual community in which to live.
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I live in Conyers, GA and love it!! It is a great place to raise kids and the people are warm and friendly. Recreation is a top priority and there are a number of top educational options for both public and private school. We are close to downtown Atlanta, Hartsfield International, an hour to Lake Oconee, and many other tourist spots like the Monastery, and the International Horse Park. Their is a great sense of volunteerism and dedication to others. All of the big city conveniences with the down to earth friendliness of a small town.