West Chester 55+ Retirement Communities

West Chester is a borough in the southern part of Pennsylvania, 25 miles west of Philadelphia and 15 miles north of Wilmington, DE. West Chester has a variety of amenities and features that will appeal to active adults. Philadelphia and Wilmington are a short drive from West Chester allowing residents to enjoy large city amenities at any time.

Climate

West Chester is in a transition zone between a humid continental and a humid subtropical climate. The area sees about 15 inches of rain per year, much of it falling during the month of August. Winter temperatures average from 24° to 37° and average annual snow accumulations of 5 inches. Summer in West Chester is hot with summer temperatures averaging 67° to 85° and 80% humidity.

Recreation, Culture & Entertainment

There are a variety of leisure options for active adults in the West Chester area, including:

Art & performances

• • Knauer Performing Arts Center
  • Chester County Art Association

Historical sites and museums

• • American Helicopter Museum and Educational Center
  • Chester County History Center Museum
  • Brinton 1704 House & Historic Site

Outdoor activities

• • Longwood Gardens
  • Ridley Creek State Park
  • Sandy Hollow
  • Broad Run Golfer’s Club
  • Reactors Comedy Club

Other activities

• • Mather Planetarium

Cost of Living & Taxes

Pennsylvania is tax-friendly toward retirees as they do not tax retirement income including pensions, social security, 401Ks, or IRAs. For those still working, the income tax rate is a flat 3.07 percent. Property taxes in Pennsylvania are higher than the national average but do vary by county. Seniors 65+ are eligible to a rebate on property taxes if they meet income requirements. The sales tax in Pennsylvania is 6% with a 1% local tax for purchases in Allegheny County and a 2% added tax for purchases in Philadelphia.

West Chester’s cost of living is 27% higher than the national average, primarily due to very high housing costs. Property taxes in West Chester average 1.49% of a property’s assessed fair market value.

Health Care

There are three general hospitals within ten miles of West Chester, two of the three are ranked high performing in specialty areas by U.S. News & World Reports. Chester County Hospital is a 329 bed hospital that has been rated as Newsweek World’s Best Hospital in 2020-2021 and top ranked in 12 clinical specialties by U.S. News & World Report. Main Line Health Paoli Hospital is a 226 bed Level II trauma center that is ranked as one of the top 15 hospitals in Pennsylvania and has received numerous awards for patient care and excellence.