Phoenixville is an old mill town in Chester County that has gone through a total revitalization of its downtown. Beyond the main streets is a variety of attractive and well-kept housing options.
Hometown Fun
Main and Bridge Streets provide multiple eating establishments and shops. From restaurants, micro-breweries, a distillery, and wine tasting rooms to locally owned shops and boutiques to art galleries, Phoenixville is a bustling community.
A fun fact about Phoenixville is that it is home to Colonial Theatre, a restored, historic theater famous for the filming of the classic 1958 movie “The Blob.” Each year the theater hosts Blobfest, a three-day event that commemorates the film with special festivities.
For outdoor enthusiasts, exploring the Schuylkill River Trail that runs alongside the river and connects to Philadelphia and Pottstown by bicycle, running, or walking, or visiting one of Phoenixville’s 16 parks is a great way to spend the day.
Lock 60 at the Schuylkill Canal Park, right on Bridge Street on the Montgomery County side of the Schuylkill River, features areas for wildflower walks, premier birding paths, a favorite local fishing spot, a public boat launch, and a five-mile water loop trail for kayaking and canoeing. The site includes the original Locktender’s house and holds many pieces of historical interest. A fully restored, working lock on the Schuylkill Canal, originally built as part of the Schuylkill Navigation system, is one of 72 locks originally built on the canal, and was constructed in the 1820s.
Valley Forge National Park is 3.5 miles from Phoenixville and is nationally significant as the location of the 1777-78 winter encampment of the Continental Army under General George Washington. There are 43 historical and commemorative monuments and memorials, and the Park consists of 3,452 acres of land, including 35 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Phoenixville Schools
The Phoenixville Area School District has three elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school. Students in high school can also choose to attend the Technical College High School Pickering Campus. Other education options for children in the Phoenixville area include VFKH Montessori School, Holy Family School, Kimberton Waldorf School, and Renaissance Academy. University of Valley Forge and Lansdale School of Business also have campuses in Phoenixville.
Commuting from Phoenixville
This area provides a Manayunk-type atmosphere and is conveniently located close to major arteries, Routes 29, 23 and 422, which gives easy access to the King of Prussia area and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. In addition to SEPTA, the regional public transportation authority that operates bus service in Phoenixville, the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority is a new passenger train line that will soon connect Phoenixville to Reading, Pottstown, Norristown, and Philadelphia.
Nearby Shopping
In addition to its local small-owned stores and businesses, residents are minutes away from mall destinations with every major department store imaginable. Just 8 miles east of Phoenixville, The King of Prussia Town Center is an upscale, experiential retail center where outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment converge. King of Prussia is the largest shopping mall in Pennsylvania and the third-largest shopping mall in the United States with 450 retailers. The Philadelphia Premium Outlets is a 553,000-square-foot open-air outlet that boasts over 150 stores and services and is 11 miles west of Phoenxiville.
Phoenixville Real Estate
Phoenixville has a population of over 16,000. Living here offers residents a dense suburban feel, and although most residents rent their homes, the median home value is $258,900 and the median rent is $1,204. For homebuyers looking to purchase real estate in Phoenixville, there are condos, townhomes, and single family homes to choose from.