Collegeville, PA

...a new Day Care, Bank, and Office Building, all right along Route 29/Collegeville Ave. several miles south of Main Street and several miles north of the 422 Collegeville exit.

This isn't a plug for Wawa as they certainly don't need one, but I've always found the Wawa stores to be a pleasure to partonize. Touch screen ordering of deli sandwiches & hot meals, clean restrooms, and great coffee. And while filling up a gas tank is a painful experience for most of us these days, at least the Wawa visit is a pleasant one. I've also found their gas prices to be at - or below average market prices for a given area. Yes, sometimes there are lines for a gas pump, but they usually don't last long.

So when this new mega Wawa (and by mega I mean the big store with the gas pumps) recently opened up a mile or so from my real estate office, whoaaa! Wawa coffee (our office coffee just doesn't taste the same, but don't tell anyone I said that)!!! Small pleasures I guess?

Like any business venture, placing a large Wawa in a given town just doesn't happen on a whim. Nor does a new bank, day care, office building, etc., hence I would tend to believe that there's a very good reason for choosing this location.

Construction crews are no stranger to the Collegeville area these last few years. The Providence Town Center (still under construction), opposite the Wyeth complex right off the 422 Collegeville exit on Rt 29 will be composed of 140 acres of small-town style architecture and streetscapes, similar to those found on the Main Line of Philadelphia. UPDATE: The Wegmans/Collegeville's Grand Opening is Oct. 11, 2009!!! The mixed uses along with the attention to detail will create a retail experience that will remain interesting visit after visit. Stay tuned. This is going to be one heck of a shopping experience!

Perhaps we'll bump into each other at the new Wawa. I'll be the guy pumping gas while holding a cup of (Wawa) coffee in the other hand with a smile on my face.

Growing up on the Main Line, and attending Lower Merion High School, Collegeville was considered a land far, far away. Fast forward 10 years later, and I would follow my parents out to western Montgomery County as the Route 422 corridor exploded with new housing growth. Now it is a short 30 minute commute for people working in King of Prussia and Great Valley, Chester County, who moved west for a lower cost of living. The Spring Ford Area School District is a good place to find a good home in a good school district at an affordable price.

As far as real estate is concerned, compared to high ticket areas like Lower Merion, Collegeville is about a good of a bargain as they come. The lowest sales price in Q4-2007 was $255,750 with the highest at $470,000, and an average sales price of $324,900 which is less than half for the average sales price on the Main Line in Lower Merion.

Courtesy Of : Christopher Benedict 484-433-3931

RE/MAX Main Line 610-935-3200