Philly Neighborhood Guide - The Burbs

DELAWARE COUNTY

Often referred to as DelCo for short, and it’s a popular area just outside of Philadelphia. You know, the place where Tina Fey is from. DelCo is a Philly burb just 20-30 mins away from Center City. It's a very family-friendly, community-forward county. 

There is always something to do in DelCo. You can get your nature fix in the nearby Ridley Creek State Park, shop til’ you drop at the Springfield Mall, or get your fill at the many restaurants and cafes in the area. Swarthmore (home of Swarthmore College) and Media are two of the more popular towns in DelCo, and they have everything you need, including a trampoline park and Linvilla Orchards, a nearby family farm.

DelCo boasts a range of highly rated school districts like Radnor, Garnet Valley, and Wallingford-Swarthmore. Homes in DelCo range from stand-alone to multi-family to upscale apartment complexes. The median sold price of a home in DelCo was $360,000 in 2022, making it an affordable option for those seeking suburban living in a highly desirable area. 

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

If you want to live outside of Center City Philadelphia but still want the easy ability to travel there, look no further than Montgomery County. A large area made up of towns like Abington, Glenside, Conshohocken, King of Prussia, and Hatboro (to name just a few), MontCo has everything you could need from a suburban area. 

This county has a sought-after schooling system with highly rated public and private schools, making it an attractive place for families to lay down roots. As of 2022, the median sold price of a home in Montgomery County was about $420,000, making it a moderately priced option for those seeking a safe and comfortable living environment. Most of the homes in MontCo are single family homes or upscale apartment complexes with all the amenities. 

Within Montgomery County is King of Prussia, known for its renowned King of Prussia Mall. There are almost unlimited shopping and dining options in KOP, but you can enjoy outdoor activities like hiking at Valley Forge National Park or exploring the Schuylkill River Trail.

Abington is a charming suburban area that offers a range of family-friendly activities, including the Abington Art Center. It’s also home to the Penn State Abington campus. Glenside is quaint, with a range of cultural and educational opportunities like the Keswick Theater and the Arcadia University campus. Hatboro hosts the annual Hatboro Holiday Parade and the Hatboro Farmers Market, while Conshohocken is a rapidly growing area that offers a range of dining, pubs, and nightlife.

I went to Arcadia University for a minute, and can confirm Glenside was a delight.

MAINLINE

Spanning across the DelCo and MontCo border, the Mainline deserves its own category! If you live anywhere in the Philadelphia area, you know about the Mainline. Comprising neighborhoods like Haverford, Havertown, Wayne, Bryn Mawr, and Ardmore (to name a few), the Mainline is a picturesque area outside of the city known for beautiful landscapes and excellent schools. In 2022, the median price of a home in the Mainline was $800,000, making it a desirable location for those seeking luxury living while still being close to the city of Philadelphia.

There’s a never ending list of activities and attractions for people living in the Mainline, including high-end shopping and dining experiences. Stop by Suburban Square, a shopping center in Ardmore, or the Haverford Reserve, a community park complete with hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, and athletic fields.

One of the primary draws of the Mainline is its quality education system, home to several highly regarded public and private schools including Lower Merion School District, Radnor Township School District, The Haverford School, and The Baldwin School. 

The Mainline is also home to historic sites and cultural institutions like the Bryn Mawr Film Institute and the Ardrossan Estate, an early 20th-century country house. These attractions, among many others, offer a glimpse into the rich history of the area.