-PHILLY SUBURBS-

Phila Suburbs Exlained

If you're out of state and thinking of moving to Philly suburbs in Pennsylvania or if you’re a Philly local looking to move to the suburbs, you’ve got a number of neighborhoods to choose from. I'll give you a overview of neighborhoods so that you can have a better idea of where you might end up living.

https://youtu.be/VeshGnUO6b0

Here’s what you’ll learn in this video:

• What make up the Philly Suburbs in Pennsylvania and why they should be on your radar
• Which of the various counties best suits you depending on your wants and needs
• Which features of an area are often overlooked but may impact your living

DELAWARE COUNTY

Starting off with Delaware County, or Delco for short, Delaware County will be closest to the city but also the most populated. If you’re looking for that convenient access to the city, It’s got plenty of public transit available through SEPTA including buses, trains, and trollies. Cities such as Lansdowne, Darby, and Folcroft are going to be closet to the city whereas Media, Glen Mills, and Newtown Square are going to be further away. It’s got a huge mix of different residential neighborhoods but you’ll see a lot of smaller townhomes, apartment buildings, and single homes. 

The area is celebrated for its community arts and theater with cities like Media, Swarthmore really offering a variety of cultural attractions. Despite it being the most densely populated out of all 4 counties, a lot of the townships have parks and you can even drive to larger parks like Ridley Creek State Park and Rose Tree Park.

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-DOWNTOWN MEDIA-

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

As you move further from the city, Montgomery county has about half the density as Delaware County and offers  offers similar housing options but you’ll start to see in a lot of cities the houses are more spread apart and generally have more land. As far as transit goes, you’ll still be able to see some buses and trains but definitely not quite as much as Delaware county. Montco as the locals call it is home to a variety of unique neighborhoods which may be more urban to more suburban. For example,  if you’re a foodie like me, you will have a variety of different eating options in cities such as Ambler and Ardmore.

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-ROUTE 202 PARKWAY TRAIL-

If you enjoy shopping, you’re sure to enjoy King of Prussia Mall. If you prefer a more peaceful, suburban lifestyle then Blue Bell will offer that. And if you enjoy nature and all things recreational then Valley Forge National Park & Perkiomen Trail will sure be a nice advantage to living here. My personal favorite is the route 202 biking trail - if you love to bike you should certainly check that out.

BUCKS COUNTY

Now, If you’re looking to be further away from Philly in a more rural setting, Bucks county will be a good option for you. Bucks county has a number of historical sites and  really quaint little cities. The homes tend to be more older so it’s common to see historical townhomes or single homes. Cities like Doylestown and New Hope will offer cultural attractions and plenty of restaurants in very nice outdoor settings.  It’s really quite open for the most part and yes, you will see a lot of deer and wildlife. You would definitely have the opportunity do more outdoor activities such as visiting farms or horseback riding or going out for a ride on the lake  such as Lake Nockamixon. One more thing I’ll mention is that transit is definitely not common here, so you will need a car to get around. A lot of people also prefer to live in Bucks County who need to be closer to New York.

CHESTER COUNTY

Chester County is kind of a mix between Montgomery and Bucks County. It’s further away from the city, with plenty of luscious green space, farmlands, and beautiful landscapes but still is home to more populated cities with a “downtown” like feel. Although you’ll see more townhouses available in the more populated cities such as Chester Springs and Phonexiville, you’ll see a lot of single homes with plenty of land. Cities such as West Chester and Downingtown, Kennett Square offer that downtown community feel. There are also plenty of historical attractions if you want to go somewhere like the Colonial Theatre or if you want a more peaceful adventure you can visit  Longwood Gardens or Black Rock Sanctuary. Again, just like in Bucks County you’ll probably need a car to get around!

THE MAIN LINE

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-BRYN MAWR, PA-

As a bonus, the one last part of the suburbs I’ll mention is what’s called the main line suburbs. The main line suburbs refers to a number of cities along the old train system line leading to Philladelphia or what we call it today as the Paoli Thorndale Line. The main line spans across Delaware, Montgomery and Chester Counties and offers a very unique and charming properties with lucious landscapes across cities such as Wayne, Villanova, and Bryn Mawr. Definitely a treat to see!