Hey Everyone,
My name is Andrew Arth; I am a current Haverford sophomore majoring in Economics and I reside in nearby Yardley, PA. While I have lived in Bucks County, about 30 minutes northeast of Center City, my relationship withs its varied highs and lows have changed dramatically. The rural rolling hills intersecting with Toll Brothers developments and shopping centers certainly create a sense of suburbia that has only been exponentiated over the past years. A distinct feeling that you are no longer alone pervades what once was a truly beautiful area. However, there still remains huge swaths of outdoor spaces and the small town feeling truly is one of my favorite things about where I live. Likewise its proximity to major metropolitan areas (NJ Transit just across the river taking you to Penn Station in an hour and change or SEPTA taking you into Suburban Station in 45 minutes) has been great for commuters and teenagers alike. The hustle and bustle of a city never feels far away. Combine the ease of commuting and the lower taxes on the PA side of the Delaware and the mass growth that Bucks County has seen makes sense, especially when you add in the quality of local public schooling as well as access to private education. In truth, my hometown will always live in my heart, however its sensibilities do not always align with mine and it is not a place where I desire to end up as adult; with that said, the internal communication and discussion of pros and cons of Bucks County has been relevant long before my family even settled there and is emblematic of the fascinating dichotomy that the modern suburbia presents.