West Chester Named 'Hottest Suburban Philadelphia Town' By Philly Mag

WEST CHESTER, PA -- West Chester was named one of the area's "10 Hottest Suburban Philadelphia Towns" in Philadelphia Magazine's March issue.

Phoenixville was one of two Chester County towns to be included on the list. Other local towns include Malvern, Ardmore, and Newtown. Click here to see the full list.

"This is the anti-urban-sprawl community," said Malcolm Johnstone, executive director of the West Chester Business Improvement District.

Here's what Philly Magazine had to say about the borough:

While planning committees around the region rush to give their downtowns the Oprah makeover treatment, West Chester only has to ponder how to improve an already vibrant borough — one with more than 65 places to eat and drink and quality independent boutiques. Volume is what’s coming next: Three new apartment complexes (including an eye-catching Eli Kahn development) have added 360 upscale residential units that are being rented by boomers and millennials alike. Some 60 percent of the 20,000 people who live downtown work right there, too.

The magazine also cited West Chester's Knauer Performing Arts Center as a reason for growth and future optimism.

Overall, home values in West Chester have increased 15 percent over the last five years.

“The high density, the parks, the historic buildings, all the dog owners … it provides the community with neighborliness. People can’t help but know each other,” Johnstone added.

Image via borough of West Chester