The Stories Behind Big Elk’s Street NamesI had written a post about this when I first moved in, however, the builder added another road, so I wanted to update this post.When you drive through Big Elk, the street names might seem like just another part of the neighborhood. But here, many of them connect directly to Pennsylvania’s founding family—the Penns—and the history they left behind. With a little research, those street signs reveal a fascinating story that links our community to the very beginnings of Pennsylvania. Thomas Penn Drive Who he was: Son of William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania. Role in history: After his father’s death in 1718, Thomas inherited land and arrived in Pennsylvania in 1732. Notable event: In 1737, he orchestrated the infamous Walking Purchase, which cheated ... 10/01/2025

We may never know, but whatever it was the result was the same, a home under contract. I worked hard on my marketing for this property, as we had nine properties on the market in our development and this was going to be the highest priced by a long way. Yes, it was much larger and the view was spectacular, with tons of privacy too.I knew I had to come up with a different twist on why people should come and look at this home. So, I had latched on to "Multi-generational Living" pushing the concept and how this home would be perfect. My social media pushed the point further. Then my client used to stage homes for a living and she had been working hard since deciding to sell the home to get it ready. It looked perfect, calm, serene, inviting a place to relax and call home.So, I was hopeful ... 10/01/2025

Following my Open on Sunday where I had three groups through, I had two very interested couples. One mentioned I would be hearing from their realtor. So fingers crossed I waited and was rewarded that evening with an offer. My sellers considered it, asked for a couple of small tweaks and we had a deal. The second couple also expressed interest but were not quite ready to pull the trigger, but may be if another Palladio Ranch hits the market.It was a busy weekend for Big Elk with two other homes going under agreement as well.  A villa home, and a Bramante Ranch a smaller single family model. This still leaves 5 other Bramante model and one villa home for sale Welcome to 318 Guglielma Springett Drive, West Grove, PANestled in the sought-after 55+ Big Elk community, this stunning Ryan Homes... 09/30/2025

 Why 318 Guglielma Springett Drive Is Perfect for Multi-Generational LivingWelcome to 318 Guglielma Springett Drive in West Grove, PA—a home that redefines flexibility and comfort in the sought-after 55+ Big Elk community. While this neighborhood is known for its resort-style amenities and welcoming atmosphere, one of the hidden strengths of this home is how well it lends itself to multi-generational living.In fact, many Big Elk neighbors have adult children living with them, and this particular home offers a layout that makes it easy for families to thrive together under one roof. Think of the benefits as just another bonus.A Layout Designed for Togetherness—And PrivacyFrom the moment you enter, a spacious foyer welcomes you to a thoughtfully designed Ryan Homes Paladio Ranch. On the m... 09/24/2025

Southern Chester County we are not amiss for a winery or a local microbrewery. Saturday afternoon we tried a couple, starting at The Barrel by the brothers Kershner in Avondale. This is on the site of the old Be Here Brewing. Due to rain we sat inside at the bar, the offerings included a selection of different beers as well as wine. The wine they make from purchased grapes, not growing their own, this is part of a small chain, with another location in Skippack and a pop-up beer garden in Coatesville. My wife had a Czech style dark beer which was very good, served in an English style dimpled pint glass mug. I started with an American Pale ale, which was not bad, but not great either, Annie felt it was too hop forward for her, I thought it lacked flavour. Then I tried an IPA, pretty much ... 09/09/2025

Big Elk is a 55+ community built by Ryan Homes in West Grove, Pennsylvania, Penn Township, Chester County. Located next to the new ChristianaCare West Grove Campus. It consists of Single Family homes and "Villas" a twin style home, some built on slab, others with basements, some with walk out basements depending on the location. All the "Villas" are located towards the back of the development, whilst the single family homes are located towards the front.The community has a clubhouse and pool. The clubhouse contains a theatre room, large open space with kitchen and a gymnasium. The pool is accessed by entering through the clubhouse. Single family homes are of various sized models, with all homes, single family and "Villas"  in the development having main floor master suites. Homeowners h... 08/05/2025

Saturday saw the community open house for the new ChristanaCare West Grove Campus micro hospital, opening where the old Jennersville Hospital used to be. We have seen a lot of construction carried out this year, and it was great to see the progress inside the building.From the entry/waiting area to the ten emergency room beds, with ten additional beds for those who are admitted mainly for observation. If you need more care you most likely will be transferred to another local hospital.taThere were food trucks, including BBQ, Pizza, Tacos, and Burgers and chicken sandwiches, plus ice cream as well. There were plenty of giveaways as well, umbrellas which came in handy on the walk home, yes this is walkable to our home, and is a big benefit for those moving to our area who need medical care... 07/28/2025

Big Elk 55+ community in West Grove, PA, Penn Township is located about a mile from a strip mall Jennersville Village Shops with a large Giant supermarket, Starbucks, 2ESP Pub, Sakura Asian Restaurant, The Corner Cafe, Norman's Hallmark Store, Pets and Friends, a large CVS, Dry Cleaner, Snap Fitness Gym, Hairdresser and Spa, Fajitas Y Salsa Taco restaurant, State Store, Dairy Queen and even an ATT store along with Salad Works, Aurora Pizza and Pasta and a Pack and Ship store as well, just about everything you need nearby including a winery and vineyard Casa Carmen.Right next door to the community, Christianacare is rebuilding a new community hospital and emergency room.In the Big Elk Community there is a club house, with gym holding free weights and a small assortment of exercise machin... 05/21/2025

Casa Carmen,  on Old Baltimore Pike in Jennersville, West Grove PA, the winery and vineyard that is right behind our home in Big Elk community has at last begun their soft opening. Every Friday and Saturday from 4.00 to 8.00 pm they will be open. The winery had worked with Ryan Homes and offered all homeowners in Big Elk a complimentary glass of wine, distributing some tasting glasses at an event in the fall. Bring the glass along and your first glass of wine is free.We have been busy the last few weeks, but last night we visited the tasting room, built in the style of Spanish and South American tasting rooms to see how things were going. I have already purchased some of their vermouth which they also offer and used them in some cocktails at home. But chatting with one of the sons last ... 03/09/2024

.  Much of my family hails  from Southern Chester Co.I also grew up in the Philly suburbs and went tonumerous Deli’s and enjoyed Hoagies & Cheesesteaks.But recently I rediscovered a hidden gem in a smalltown called West Grove . Brothers Pizzeria offers personalized meals that exceed it’s interesting menu.Pictured above is a Pizza Steak Sandwich. I have had one of these at as many as 30 restaurants. But after enjoying the above sandwich, I can assure you thatBrothers makes the best ! Two friends of mine Tim & Che are regular diners at Brothers and are thrilled with some of the Chef’s creations that have been cooked from scratch. Brothers is a BYO .Stop by soon .  03/05/2024

Sometimes you have to ask yourself, what is best for my client right now? I had listed the home of my neighbor for sale, 691 Thomas Penn Drive, West Grove, PA 19390 and it is a beautiful home, with lots of upgrades and a wonderful screened porch/deck that everyone in the neighborhood is jealous for not having selected for themselves.However, we were not getting any showings and the open houses were dismally attended with no real interest. One other home, the model had recently been rented for $3,200 a month. I spoke with my seller and let him know that this other home had rented and this was a possible option for him as were we not getting any showings. He said let's do this and get a tenant in there. So, I changed the listing to a rental, withdrew the sale and hey presto in less than a... 06/24/2023

This Sunday June 4th take time out of your day to stop by and see this wonderful Southern Chester County Home, located in Big Elk a 55+ community with swimming pool, clubhouse, and gymnasium and so much more.The home a Calvert Grande model with 3 beds and 3 1/2 baths has had a screened deck added to the rear, wonderful window treatments, includes the washer and dryer and refrigerator, all you have to do is make an offer and then bring your things and move in.This home has main floor living, plus two additional bedrooms and a bath upstairs plus a fully finished basement with another full bath. Two car garage, painted and floor sealed, plus security features for safety.Check out the virtual tour.Even better in person, as it has great views over the Casa Carmen Winery, which has been compl... 05/31/2023

When you move a distance from where you used to live you need to find lots of new providers, contractors, doctors etc.Well, I have always been a believer in Chiropractic Care, but when I am in pain, I know I really do not want to be driving an hour to get to my most wonderful chiropractor Andy Fetterman in Berwyn. I have been going to Andy for many years and he is excellent. But, my back had been uncomfortable for several weeks and a couple of weeks ago it reached the stage where I knew I could not put up with it without an adjustment any longer.If you have ever tried to find a new doctor or chiropractor you know how hard it is. This is a very personal relationship, this person is actually going to be putting their hands and weight upon you. I have been to a couple of chiropractors who ... 05/22/2023

Many people do not realize when you buy a new construction home there are many additional costs required after you take possession. For example, the new homeowner now has to buy window treatments, lights and fans additional to the few that a builder may include. Often a buyer needs to purchase a washer and dryer and sometimes a refrigerator too. Depending on the house, they may need to have a deck and or a patio installed. A builder may include a basic plantings package, but most homeowners are going to want to plant some additional plantings too. Then of course there is also paint, as builder paint is usually watered down and is very flat and generally a boring color too.Now, a resale may be an older home, but sometimes for one reason or another a new home owner needs to resell their n... 05/10/2023

Saturday May 6 1-3 PM - Sunday May 7 12-2 PMWelcome to 691 Thomas Penn Drive, the best lot in all of the Big Elk 55+ community in West Grove, where you have open views from your backyard overlooking the Casa Carmen Vineyard, along with a grove of trees that further ensures your privacy.This is the first opportunity to purchase a resale home in this fully-sold-out Villa section of Big Elk, a new community that features stress-free living – never mow or clear snow again – and where you can enjoy a Community Center with full-kitchen for events, screen room, a fully-equipped gym and a gorgeous pool to relax in the warm, summer days.Better than new construction, whilst the builder finishes building the Villas that have sold you can move right in to this 3 bed, 3 1/2 bath home that has true m... 05/04/2023

691 Thomas Penn Drive, West Grove, PA 19390, now for sale.Welcome to 691 Thomas Penn Drive, the best lot in all of the Big Elk 55+ community in West Grove, where you have open views from your backyard overlooking the Casa Carmen Vineyard, along with a grove of trees that further ensures your privacy. This is the first opportunity to purchase a resale home in this fully-sold-out Villa section of Big Elk, a new community that features stress-free living – never mow or clear snow again – and where you can enjoy a Community Center with full-kitchen for events, screen room, a fully-equipped gym and a gorgeous pool to relax in the warm, summer days. Better than new construction, you can move right in to this 3 bed, 3 1/2 bath home that has true main floor living: master bedroom ensuite with o... 04/28/2023

As the builder is still building here in Big Elk it may be too soon to expect resales. But people have different reasons for moving and sometimes they realize they might have made a mistake. Whilst this is a 55+ community, and all the homes offer one floor living for the owner, they do include stairs and basements too. All "The Villas", twins have been sold by the builder, so there is now opportunity for owners to resell if they want and hopefully find a buyer who missed out when the builder was selling. You also are not in competition with the builder who can offer incentives to wrap up a deal.I know of two potential villas that might come on the market, so if you are interested in the Villa model which many people have preferred over the single family ranch style homes, then please fe... 04/05/2023

The names chosen for a development can be boring usually and other times they can be extremely interesting. Ever since moving to Big Elk we have wondered about the road names. Some are fairly obvious, but it is not till you do a little historical research that the others become meaningful.For example our road Thomas Penn is quite obvious, son of William Penn who after his father died in 1718 travelled to Pennsylvania in 1732 to become the Proprietor of Pennsylvania. William, who had actually been in the Tower of London because of his Quaker views, had been given land in Pennsylvania in 1681 after a charter from Charles II.His three sons inherited the land equally, and Thomas came to Pennsylvania in 1732 and negotiated with the Lenape Indians in 1737 to extend the land owned by the famil... 01/31/2023

Elk Creek Farms is a development of 194 homes built by Iacobucci Builders between 2002 and 2004, located on route 896. It comprises of single family detached homes of three, four and even five bedrooms, with two and three bathrooms.Whilst most homes have a two car garage I have seen some with three car garages. Most homes sit on  about 1/3 of an acre and homes vary between 2900-3900 square feet approximately with additional space in the basement.Children living here will attend Avon Grove Schools, Penn London Elementary, F S Engle Middle and Avon Grove High School. These homes have a West Grove mailing address.Eight homes sold in 2022, with the average days on market being 10. The average home price was $567,700. The lowest price home sold for $480,000 and the highest price home sold fo... 01/26/2023

Ovations at Elk ViewAt Ovations at Elk View you are purchasing more than just a home, you purchase a Carefree Lifestyle. As a resident of this 55+ Gold Star Rated Community you will enjoy the Grand Clubhouse, Fitness Center, Pools, Spa, Billiards, Library and much more all for a low monthly HOA fee.Ovations at Elk View has a combination of detached and twin homes, with two, three and four bedroom and two and three bath options. There are a variety of different models to suit all lifestyles, all the homes have a two car garage.Ovations at Elk View 2022 Summary Two Bedroom homes Prices Ranged from $385,000-465,000 Three Bedroom homes Prices Ranged from $395,000-550,000 Four Bedroom homes Prices Ranged from $410,000-603,000     There is 1 Three Bedroom home with a pending contract priced a... 01/18/2023