Valley Forge/King of Prussia - Norristown, PA

Norristown claims the county seat of Montgomery County and came to be with the purchase of the land by Isaac Norris from William Penn. Downtown Norristown has been known as an industrial, retail and banking center. However, with the opening of the King of Prussia Mall, much of the industrial side of business has been moving to industrial parks around Montgomery County.

Lovers of the theater can find an array of award-winning productions held at the Montgomery County Cultural Center, which houses The Center Theater and Iron Age Theater. Here you can find performances from Theater Horizon, a non-profit, professional theater company based in Norristown.

Each year, art lovers of all types can enjoy the dance, music, theater and film provided by the Norristown Arts Festival. Vendors from all over also bring their artistic wares, in mediums ranging from paint, jewelry, wood carving and pottery.

Dining choices are eclectic, ranging from different types of international cuisine to fine dining with an emphasis on American food.

Quality Mexican food can be found at El Limon, located on Fayette Street in nearby Conshohocken. Dive into the Chicken Tinga Enchiladas, which comes smothered in the sauce of your choice and a side of rice and beans. Top your meal off with loaded nachos, made with fresh tortilla chips, guacamole and sour cream.

If you find yourself in the mood for some classic-Japanese fare, Minado, located on Swede street has a ton of different and tasty choices to select from. Try out their signature favorite Philly Roll, which consists of sushi mixed with cream cheese, just one of the 20 different choices available at the sushi bar.

Nightlife choices in the area are wide and varied, primarily consisting of local pubs and restaurant/bar hybrids. The Pub by Wegmans, located on Village Drive, provides an excellent representation of a local pub. Gnosh on an Applewood Bacon Burger, made with an eight-ounce ground turkey patty mixed with caramelized onions and a spice blend, and wash everything down with one of their signature Long Island Iced Teas.

Given its place as one of the most connected communities in the region in terms of public transit, as well as being situated on the area's largest thoroughfares, travel in the area contains a balanced mix of public and private travel. Public arteries in close proximity include the Pennsylvania Turnpike, the Schuylkill Expressway and the Blue Route.

Norristown's easily walkable and architecturally-rich communities make it extremely friendly to both walkers and bikers alike. The Schuylkill Valley Bike Trail also passes through the area and provides access to almost any area in the region through dedicated trails.

Public transportation options in Norristown are legion, with the heart and soul of it lying at the Norristown Transportation Center. Here you can pick up such bus routes as the 90, 96 and 131 buses, as well as the Norristown High Speed Line.

With its distance from Philadelphia, placing it in a much more rural setting, comes access to many quality parks and recreational facilities. Valley Forge National Historical Park, located on Outer Lane Drive, provides over 3,300 acres and receives an excess of a million visitors each year. Enjoy a wide range of free activities, including over 26 miles of hiking and biking trails, a museum and both walking and riding tours of the grounds.

The Norristown Farm Park, located on Upper Farm Road, has over 690 acres of nature and activity to enjoy. Fishing is possible through their trout nursery, as well as over seven miles of paved trails. Concert events and shows also exist in abundance, providing much to do for you and your family.

If you want to take your pooch out for some exercise, Harford Park, located on Gulf Creek Road, provides over five acres dedicated solely to the enjoyment of man's best friend. A winding stream meanders through the park, allowing your dog to cool off amidst their romp.

Life in the King of Prussia/Norristown area carries with it a cost of living slightly higher than the rest of the state, about five percent higher. The median rental range for a one-bedroom apartment comes in about 22 percent higher than the rest of the state at about $969.

Public transportation costs mirror what you will find in the rest of the outlying suburbs and Philadelphia. A standard bus ticket will cost $2.25, with a transfer holding steady at $1. Public parking stands available in quantity, with the Norristown Transportation Center providing space starting at $3 per hour. Cabs are available day and night from Mainline Transportation.

The King of Prussia Mall, one of the largest malls in the nation, got a little bigger during the summer of 2016 with a luxury expansion that added 50 new shops and restaurants to the already impressive 400 stores. The modern expansion includes floor-to-ceiling windows and device-charging stations. The mall's anchor stores include Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Macy's, and Lord and Taylor. Shops include Vineyard Vines, Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Jimmy Choo, Loft, Louis Vuitton, and Coach.

Boutique shopping at its finest can be found at Apropos, located on Dekalb Pike. Apropos is the height of women's boutique clothing shopping, providing many choices in standard fashion design and wedding dresses. A professional seamstress is available to help with any alterations that may be necessary.

A wide variety of grocery stores serve King of Prussia and Norristown, including Wegmans, Giant Food Store, and ShopRite. For wallet-friendly prices, head to Aldi on S. Trooper Road, and stop into Le Bus Bakery in King of Prussia for freshly baked bread and pastries. The area also hosts several farmers markets, including the Super Gigante West Norriton Farmers Market, El Primo Produce Junction, and Upper Merion Farmers Market.