The Moving to the Main Line Guide provides valuable resources for families moving to Malvern and towns like it . From exceptional schools to charming shops and restaurants, this area maintains a perfect balance of historic character and modern amenities.

At a Glance: Malvern

• Location: 25 miles northwest of Philadelphia
• Transit: Accessible via Paoli/Thorndale SEPTA Regional Rail Line
• School Districts: Tredyffrin/Easttown (T/E) and Great Valley
• Median Home Price: $525,000 (2025)
• Community Character: Historic charm meets modern convenience in a walkable, family-friendly setting

Is Malvern a Good Place to Live?

Located in Chester County and encompassing parts of East Whiteland, Charlestown, Willistown, East Goshen, East Pikeland, and Tredyffrin Townships, this town is ideal if you are looking for a quiet community bursting with charming events, specialty shops, quaint restaurants, rich history, and top-rated schools.

Families benefit from two top-rated school districts—Tredyffrin/Easttown and Great Valley—and convenient access to Philadelphia via the Paoli/Thorndale SEPTA line with a commute time of approximately 45-50 minutes. If you’re new to the area or just looking to explore, here are just a few must-see and must-know places and details about Malvern.

What’s It Like to Live in Malvern with Kids?

If you’re considering moving to Malvern, you’ll appreciate the family-friendly atmosphere and abundant activities for children of all ages.

Families enjoy seasonal events like Malvern’s Victorian Christmas, featuring tree lighting, carriage rides, and holiday activities. The Malvern Blooms Festival celebrates spring with flowers, crafts, food, and live music. Monthly First Fridays from April through December bring extended shopping hours and street entertainment to the Borough.

Look for a Main Line indoor play place for year-round fun regardless of weather. Many local restaurants offer family-friendly options with children’s menus and comfortable atmospheres.

Does Malvern Have a Downtown?

Malvern’s charming Borough serves as its walkable downtown area. King Street and surrounding blocks feature well-preserved historic architecture housing restaurants, boutiques, and service businesses.

Recent improvements have enhanced pedestrian accessibility with updated sidewalks, crosswalks, and public seating areas. Street parking is generally available, with public lots offering additional options during busy periods.

The downtown hosts various community events throughout the year, from seasonal festivals to weekly farmers markets. First Friday events bring extended shopping hours and special promotions monthly.

Getting Around

Malvern’s strategic location makes it ideal for commuters. The Malvern SEPTA station provides direct access to Philadelphia. For drivers, Route 202 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike offer convenient access to the greater Philadelphia region, with Center City reachable in about 40 minutes during off-peak hours.

The community has also invested in pedestrian and cycling infrastructure in recent years, with new sidewalks connecting residential areas to the Borough’s commercial center and expanded access to the Chester Valley Trail.

Malvern Housing and Real Estate

Moving to Malvern provides diverse housing options, from historic craftsman and Victorian homes in the Borough to modern developments in surrounding townships. The town’s housing market remains competitive, with median home prices around $740,000 as of early 2025, according to zillow.

The area’s property taxes are relatively high, supporting exceptional schools and community services. While this contributes to a higher cost of living, most residents find the trade-off worthwhile for the quality of life Malvern offers.

Because of it history dating back to the 17th century, there are charming houses throughout the Malvern Borough. Many are craftsman and Victorian-style, which means they are unique and require the owners to be the same.

If old charm isn’t for you and your family, you’ll want to head to the more rural areas around the borough. Here, you’ll find plenty of modern construction with town home and carriage house options for those who aren’t interested in the upkeep that comes with the larger homes.

It’s important to know inventory in this area can be sparse. When homes do come on the market, they go for asking price and they go quickly. If you are considering purchasing a home in this area, make sure you realize it’s a process and could take some time. You’re looking at a median home price of around $400,000.

Malvern Schools, Public, Private, and Charter School Options

The Main Line Parent Education Guide can help families navigate these varied options with comprehensive information about admissions, programs, and educational philosophies.

For a previous issue of our Community magazine we featured the Arnold family who reside in Malvern. When asked about the school system, they said “We moved to this area not really knowing much about the schools and ended up buying in the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District (T/E):, which is one of the best school systems in the state. This seemed like a great place for our little guy to start.” Consistently ranked among Pennsylvania’s top 10 districts, T/E schools offer outstanding academic programs, robust arts education, and competitive athletics. Conestoga High School regularly places among the top 5 high schools in the state.

Malvern residents are incredibly fortunate because of the numerous public and private schools that serve the area. In addition to the T/E School District, residents can buy a home in the Great Valley School District—Another top-performing district with excellent college preparation programs, STEM initiatives, and arts education. Great Valley High School is known for its International Baccalaureate program and strong AP course offerings.

If two incredible public districts aren’t enough, there is a wide selection of private and charter schools. There are traditional prep schools like Episcopal Academy and Malvern Prep, as well as top-ranked boarding schools like Church Farm School. If a Catholic education is important to your family, Malvern residents can attend, among others, Villa Maria Academy, Lower School and Church Farm School. Average tuition costs for private schools range from about $15,000 to $48,000 annually, with many schools offering financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

If families don’t find a fit in the public or private schools, they can try one of the charter schools. The largest serving this area is the Collegium Charter School. There is also Renaissance Academy and the Avon Grove Charter School. No matter your child’s strengths, challenges or interests, parents are sure to find just the right fit among the numerous offerings in and around Malvern.

Malvern Trails, Parks, Playgrounds and Pinball

One of the perks of a move to Malvern is access to abundant outdoor spaces and recreational activities for all ages.

 If you’re a bike-loving family, don’t miss the Chester Valley Trail. This 18.6-mile paved multi-use trail now extends from King of Prussia to Downingtown, with convenient access points in Exton, Malvern at Battle of the Clouds Park, at the East Whiteland Municipal Building, in Berwyn, and at the West Whiteland Municipal Building. Battery-powered wheelchairs, dog walking under leash, and strollers are also permitted. The trail’s gentle grade makes it perfect for family cycling, walking, or running. It is fully ADA accessible. There are several road crossings, but they are well marked which helps keeps everyone safe.

History buffs can enjoy Valley Forge National Park and the endless array of organized hikes, campfire programs, guided bird watches, landscape and structure tours and seasonal programs celebrating the rich history of this incredible place. And don’t worry, you can just wander around too. It’s a great place to let the kids explore either on foot or by bike.

In the heart of Malvern is another famous historical landmark that has been turned into a park: Paoli Battlefield Historic Park. This 44-acre site commemorates the 1777 Battle of Paoli. Park visitors can take a ¾-mile self-guided walking tour, or simply wander through the fields and woods that have been preserved.

Malvern also has smaller playgrounds and parks. There is Battle of the Clouds which not only has access to the Chester Valley Trail, but has a good size playground, picnic areas, and a fitness course. Greentree Park is great if you’re looking for a picnic spot. There are plenty of tables, shade trees, and playground equipment. It’s also home to one of those swings that makes you feel like you can touch the clouds. If you’re looking for a good fishing spot, try Valley Creek Park. There’s also a playground for the little ones, tennis courts, and pristine picnic pavilions.

For some indoor fun don’t miss The Pinball Gallery. With over 50 restored pinball machines and a single admission price, visitors will have a blast getting in some old fashioned fun. There are also retro video games and a wide array of board games. You can also reserve the arcade for a private party.

Philadelphia Rock Gyms Malvern location provides a fun and challenging environment for climbers of all skill levels, with a fitness area, bouldering, 50+ ropes and lead anchors, party room and more.

Art and Music in Malvern

Art lovers must make a reservation at the Wharton Esherick Museum. Known for using wood as his main medium, Esherick built spectacular pieces of furniture, buildings, and even flatware. It’s probably a good idea to leave the littlest family members at home for this one, but it’s a valuable outing for children ages eight and up.

Theater lovers should head to People’s Light where there are performances for every age. There’s also a robust arts education program if you’ve got a little budding actor or actress in the house.

Dining Scene

Malvern’s food scene has blossomed in recent years, offering everything from casual cafés to fine dining establishments. Local favorites include:

• The Classic Diner: A beloved breakfast and lunch spot known for generous portions and creative specials
  
• Restaurant Alba: Farm-to-table Italian cuisine with seasonal menus and a carefully curated wine list
  
• Malvern Buttery: Community gathering space offering artisanal breads, pastries, and coffee
  
• Hearth Kitchen: Wood-fired pizzas and contemporary Italian dishes in a modern setting
  
• Christopher’s: A longtime neighborhood favorite for American cuisine

Time to Shop in Malvern

The most central shopping location for everyday essentials you need from Target and Wegman’s is at the intersection of Morehall Road and Route 202. If you’re looking for more quaint shops, head to King Street.

Pop into Terra Culture Gifts for everything from jewelry to candles. For women’s clothing, accessories, and gifts, check out 12 West Boutique. It would be easy to spend an afternoon shopping just on King Street. For a complete store listing, visit this page.

Malvern is also home to a QVC Outlet thanks to the neighboring town of  West Chester housing the corporate headquarters. This store has everything from housewares and appliances to clothing, shoes and even some things you never knew you needed.

If the whole family is on the Malvern outing, visit the True Value Hardware Center in nearby Paoli. The first floor is a traditional hardware store, while the lower level is dedicated to seasonal gifts and decor. Last, but certainly not least, is the third floor–home to Big Smile Toys. With plenty of demo toys to play with, this huge, independently owned toy mecca will keep the little ones happy for a long time.

Malvern Special Events

Several times a year Malvern pulls out all the stops. Their celebrations and special events are neatly divided by season. You’ll want to check the Malvern Business Association on a regular basis for specifics on their monthly strolls and seasonal events!

Are you a Malvern resident? Maybe you visit often and have a favorite food or shopping spot? We welcome your suggestions in the comments section below.

For more, try the Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy or the King of Prussia Neighborhood Tours.

Lead Photo by Steven Warren. The original version of this story was written by Sarah L. Bender in 2018.