The Greater Philadelphia area is filled with many family-friendly suburbs and neighborhoods to call home.
What’s commonly known as Greater Philadelphia is made up of five regions: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Each area has its own unique character, school districts, demographics, and things that residents love.
If you’re a Philadelphia native or are looking to relocate to the area, you might be considering buying a home outside of the main city lines. Today we’ll take a look at the neighborhoods surrounding Philly and what’s most important to know about each.
In this guide...
Ardmore - the oldest and largest suburb of the Mainline.
King of Prussia - a growing suburban neighborhood with an urban feel.
Ambler - a quiet town with an array of shops, restaurants, bars and special events.
Doylestown - an incredibly historic downtown with local staples offering robust dining options.
Radnor - a highly residential town filled with parks, vibrant town centers, quiet, secure neighborhoods.
Lower Merion - a suburban urban township with close proximity to Philadelphia.
Upper Dublin - an affluent area with a strong community feel.
Chestnut Hill - one of the most beautiful living areas outside the city.
Manayunk - with an idyllic alternative to city living, it provides both great shopping and easy access to green areas.
Bryn Mawr - the bustle of a small town, with a hint of country.
Conshohocken - a close-knit community, with a highly residential feel.
If you’re looking for great shopping and dining options around Philadelphia…
Ardmore
A quintessential Philadelphia suburb, Ardmore offers a short commute to Center City (roughly 30 minutes by car or train) and has become a major attraction for those looking for a more residential feel while offering a vibrant shopping and retail scene. Ardmore is the oldest and largest suburb of the Mainline, and features an array of homes from historical to new construction townhomes, which have increased in number as the suburb has gained popularity for those relocating just outside of the city.
The real estate market in Ardmore is fairly competitive, with many well-priced homes receiving multiple offers, selling after 7-10 days on the market. The median sale price hovers right around $470,000 with a current inventory of 27 homes, which is down 20% since May 2023.
King of Prussia
King of Prussia is a growing suburban neighborhood with an urban feel and access to both the King of Prussia Mall and Town Center, making it a commercial hub. Surrounding the hustle of the shopping area, lies more quiet residential neighborhoods. This allows for a variety of living options, from modern condos and townhomes to more traditional split levels and cape style homes. The focus of the area has evolved to a “live, play, work” lifestyle with a mix of dining, retail and housing options. It draws a younger crowd, or those looking for proximity to shopping and entertainment!
The real estate market in King of Prussia is still very competitive, seeing a slight decrease in median home sale price and home inventory year-over-year since 2022. The median home sale price is $440,000 with a current inventory of 77, down 4.9% since May 2023.
Ambler
Quiet and unassuming, Ambler makes up for its small size with an array of shops, restaurants, bars and special events that keep residents in the tightly knit community involved. With a lively culinary and arts scene, the corridor of Butler Pike boasts a host of attractions, all encircled by historic row homes and Victorian style residences. Catering to young professionals to growing families and beyond, the residential feel of Ambler’s downtown welcomes all.
The real estate market in Ambler has since an increase in both median sale price and number of homes sold in the last year. The median sale price is $560,000 with a current market inventory of 130 homes for sale, up 5.7% since May 2023.
Doylestown
With a uniquely old world feel, Doylestown features an incredibly historic downtown with local staples offering robust dining options, live music, and seasonal events. Sought after by young families for its location within the Central Bucks School District, the homes found here are ornate and often feature architectural elements, boosting curb appeal.
The real estate market steadily sees high demand due to its unique historic homes and laid back charm. With a median sale price of $603,000 and 170 homes currently for sale, down 2.3% since May 2023.
If you’re searching for areas with great school districts to raise a family around Philadelphia…
Radnor
With a strong family feel, Radnor is known for having some of the best schools in the country. It is a highly residential town filled with parks, vibrant town centers, quiet, secure neighborhoods.
The real estate market in Radnor is highly competitive, with the days on market down 50% year over year. The area is sought after for its proximity to prestigious schools and colleges, as well as an affluent history. The median sale price from homes in Radnor is $800,000 with an inventory of 110 homes in June 2023, down 6.8% since May 2023.
Lower Merion
Directly touching Philadelphia Township, Lower Merion Township is comprised of a large portion of young professionals as well as retirees, making the population diverse, but centered around a suburban urban lifestyle due to its proximity to the city. Residents enjoy access to large public parks as well as the Schuykill River Trail. Rich in cultural resources and history, this area also has a variety of museums and long standing universities.
The real estate market in Lower Merion Township is active, though not as competitive as many surrounding, with homes selling quickly, though few with multiple offer scenarios.
The average median sale price is $707,262 with a current inventory of 293 homes available in June 2023, up 3.2% since May 2023.
Upper Dublin
Upper Dublin area encompasses Fort Washington, Dresher, and abuts Ambler making it a suburban haven. With a highly residential and multi-generational population, Upper Dublin is an affluent area with a strong community feel. With a gently bustling downtown in Fort Washington and Ambler, residents can enjoy local restaurants and bars all within a short drive of residential neighborhoods filled with anyone from young professionals, to families, and retirees. You can expect to find a variety of country clubs, public parks, and family friendly activities.
The real estate market in Upper Dublin is more balanced than surrounding suburbs, with a near balance between supply and demand for homes. The median sale price is $537,500 andthe current inventory is 104 homes, up 4% since May 2023.
Looking for more great areas to raise kids? Check out our family-friendly guide to Philadelphia!
If you’re wanting to be close to center city but enjoy the suburban feel…
Chestnut Hill
The convenient location, a 25-minute drive to the city this area has quickly developed into a residential hotspot, becoming one of the most beautiful living areas outside the city. The main artery of town, Germantown Avenue, is packed with charming shops and restaurants. Chestnut Hill has carefully maintained its unique, century-old character, thanks in large part to generations of families who have lived here and wish to keep it a special place. A majority of the homes hear are single family or rowhomes, with historic facades.
The real estate market is balanced, with the supply of homes meeting the demand. The median sale price of $665,000 current inventory is 45 homes, a 9.8% increase since May 2023.
Manayunk
Manayunk is a highly popular place to live in the Philadelphia area. Combining proximity to downtown with a small-town feel, for many people—especially the under-40 crowd. The town’s offerings tend to cater to the large population of millennials, with an idyllic alternative to city living, Manayunk provides both great shopping and easy access to green areas. The hilly topography is filled with attractively renovated row homes or larger scale apartments.
The real estate market is balanced, with a month of inventory. An average median sale price of $310,000 and current inventory of 98, which is down 4.9% since May 2023.
Bryn Mawr
An essential Main Line neighborhood, Bryn Mawr marries the bustle of a small town, with a hint of country. This can be attributed to the estates and country-style architecture that litter the area. The downtown can be described as a small town with upscale boutiques and trendy coffee shops
The market is highly competitive, with most homes receiving multiple offers. The suburb has consistently high demand, matched with higher price points and cost of living. The median sale price is $625,000 with a current inventory of 92 homes, down 9.8% since May 2023.
Conshohocken
Conshohocken is a close-knit community, with a highly residential feel. A large part of the town’s events center around schools and community causes. There are a smattering of small cafes and restaurants along the river and up Fayette Street, which runs through the town’s center. The real estate market in Conshohocken is highly competitive, as it is a hotspot for those looking to relocate outside of Philadelphia, while maintaining proximity to all the city has to offer. Median sale price of $446,000 and current inventory of 90 homes, down 7.1% since May 2023.
For neighborhoods closer to center city, check out our Philadelphia neighborhood guide including a complete map of the city's neighborhoods.
With so many areas around Philadelphia to love, working with a local Real Estate agent can help you find the neighborhood and home that’s right for you.
Real Estate agents do more than just sell homes; we work with clients to decide what’s most important to them, to create realistic budgets and maximize them, and to narrow their searches to listings they’ll love. Get in touch with our team to learn more about Philadelphia and the surrounding neighborhoods and begin your home search!
