Moving to the Main Line? Family-Friendly Neighborhood Guides to King of Prussia, Merion Station, Bryn Mawr and Wayne
This Sponsored Story supports the Main Line Parent Community and is presented by Compass.
For many families, moving from the city to the suburbs is a logical next step. Suburban neighborhoods often provide more space, a yard for the kids or dog, great school districts, and a bit less hustle and bustle.
While it can be exciting to start looking for your forever home, don’t make the mistake of focusing just on the house. You should make sure the neighborhood is the right fit for your family. Don’t be afraid to really explore the neighborhood – take your kids to the local park, check out some local restaurants, take a walk around the block, etc.
Keep reading to learn why Compass real estate experts recommend King of Prussia, Merion Station, Bryn Mawr and Wayne as great family-friendly neighborhoods. Or click here to explore Wynnewood, Havertown, Media, and Gladwyne and click here to get to know Devon, Ardmore, Berwyn, and Radnor.
#1 King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
Overview: KOP has low property taxes and quaint neighborhoods, and is only minutes from all major highways. There is a mix of new and live long families which brings a diversity and warmth to the community.
Commuting: Located between Norristown and Thorndale rail line and literally just minutes from 202, 422, 76 and the turnpike entrance at Valley Forge.
Favorite Family Activities: “I love going to the township building for their weekend farmers market and bringing my girls to the shaded playground and walking around the pond. The Chester Valley Trail is a great paved trail along 202, and there’s also easy access to the Schuylkill River Trail.”
Shops and restaurants your family will love: It’s fun to head to the Town Center for drinks with friends at Paladar or City Works. Great outdoor seating and they seem to always have weekend activities at the town center. As a family we enjoy True Foods for take out dinner or dining in. King of Prussia just got a new Diner this summer which is a great addition to weekend breakfast spots.
School District: Located in Upper Merion School District. 5 elementary schools, 1 middle and 1 high school
Moving here? Real estate tip from the expert: Kelly Steyn tells us, “Although some may think it can be congested with 202 traffic, there are so many quiet and cute neighborhoods throughout. Whether you’re looking for a charming 1940s home or brand new construction, or a manageable condo or large single home, there is every type of home and style here. When you find a home that fits your wish list, act quickly as they don’t last long. Due to it’s convenience and affordability, the demand is consistently very high.”
Meet King of Prussia Real Estate Agent, Kelly Steyn
Kelly began her real estate career in 2006. Over the years, she gained intense experience and knowledge working as an escrow agent for a national title insurance company, a new construction residential sales manager, and as an independent REALTOR® since 2010. As a Senior Real Estate Specialist, Kelly is an expert in helping seniors through the downsizing process.
Kelly lives in King of Prussia with her husband, their rescued dog, Philip, and two daughters. She is an animal lover and enjoys spending her free time trying new restau rants, being outdoors, and traveling.
“Kelly is wonderful to work with – very knowledgeable and insightful throughout the entire process. Unlike other realtors we met, she was also not pushy on making a sale (an absolute plus) and has a wide network of professional recommendations to make home-buying less stressful. I highly recommend Kelly Steyn!.” – Main Line Parent Community member.
#2 Merion Station, Pennsylvania
Overview: Beautiful, safe, and family friendly, the historic town of Merion Station is perfectly located at the edge of Lower Merion Township, allowing easy access to Philadelphia.
Commuting: Merion Station is centrally located and is the last stop on the Septa R5 Line (the “Main Line”) before Philadelphia.
Favorite Family Activities: An amazing botanical garden (including a gorgeous stream), and parks with tennis courts, playgrounds, fields, etc.
Shops and restaurants your family will love: Stop into Hymies Delicatessen or get delivery from nearly any Main Line or Philadelphia restaurant (close enough to everything).
School District: Within Lower Merion School District, children in Merion Station attend Merion Elementary School, Bala Cynwyd Middle School, and Lower Merion High School (or Harriton, if they so choose).
Moving here? Real estate tip from the expert: A very popular area for families, make sure to stay on top of listings the moment they come available. Also, don’t be afraid of older stone homes — they still exist for a reason.
Meet Merion Station Real Estate Agent, Adam Ferst
It is Adam’s sincere (albeit lofty) goal to eliminate all stress and anxiety from each and every real estate transaction in which he is involved. Adam was born and raised on the Main Line. He has come up through the Lower Merion school system (where his children are currently enrolled) and in so doing he has developed a strong understanding of the personalities which inhabit the many neighborhoods of Main Line.
On top of that, he has a professional background in consulting, finance, and social work.
“Adam is that extraordinary combination of intellect and heart. We worked with Adam a few years while planning our “next act”. During that time our vision changed and Adam helped us to think through what would best suit our needs. He created a search engine that kept us informed of all listings we might consider. He was always available to guide us through each possibility. Adam knows this market and he is always prepared; offering data to consider for multiple scenarios, but willing to share and explain his recommendations. I don’t know how he does it, but every email, text and is answered promptly. The advice was so sound, and the process so respectful that we sold much earlier than we had anticipated. If you are considering professional real estate representation you will be wise to consider working with Adam!” – Deborah
#3 Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Overview: Bryn Mawr is in the heart of the Main Line, surrounded by amazing parks, restaurants, fun family activities, great school options and a quick commute to Philly.
Commuting: Bryn Mawr is close to major highways I-76 and I-476. Bryn Mawr and Ardmore train stations nearby give access to Center City Philadelphia and NYC.
Favorite Family Activities: Popular parks in Bryn Mawr are Ashbridge and Clem Macrone. Haverford College is well-liked for runners. Main Line Art Center and Lundington Library are great for kids.
Shops and restaurants your family will love: Breakfast at La Colombe and Up Rise Bagels. Dinners at Otto by Polpo and The Choice. Sweets at Hope’s Cookies and Surreal Creamery.
School District: Bryn Mawr is located in three different school districts, Haverford, Lower Merion, and Radnor.
Moving here? Real estate tip from the expert: A lot of homes here sell off market. You should know the inventory well, whether you’re a buyer or seller, it definitely will give you a competitive advantage.
Meet Bryn Mawr Real Estate Agent, Lauren Woods
Lauren is a veteran Realtor with over 15 years of experience in all forms of residential real estate, including new home construction and top-to-bottom gut renovations. Her diverse background and personal experience of two major home restorations provide Lauren the ability to present her clients with a clear vision of every home’s true potential. When buying and selling on the Historic Main Line, the ability to see the opportunities these older properties provide with their current “bones”, drastically opens up the market for Lauren’s clients.
Lauren was born, raised, and currently lives on the Main Line with her husband and two children.
“Lauren made our first-time home buying experience everything we could have hoped for and more. She is an endless source of knowledge, providing answers to our seemingly endless list of questions, which covered everything from negotiating our first offer to the best way to finish a basement. Her knowledge of the market and home-ownership in general is rivaled only by her innate ability to make you feel comfortable and confident through each phase of the process. Lauren’s genuineness is palpable, and it was a truly fun experience working with her.” – Sheri
#4 Wayne, Pennsylvania
Overview: Wayne has a vibrant “main” street with small shops, restaurants and a movie theater. Living options abound, from apartments to estates and everything in between.
Commuting: The Paoli-Thorndale Line runs through downtown Wayne into Philadelphia, and access to Routes 476, 76, 202, 95 and Lancaster Ave is quick and easy.
Favorite Family Activities: Multiple parks, playgrounds, the mile Radnor Trail, the Wayne Art Center, Wayne Senior Center, the Saturday Club, McKaig Nature Center, and lots of summer camps!
Shops and restaurants your family will love: Christopher’s is a family-friendly favorite; White Dog Cafe, Goat’s Beard, Autograph Brasserie amongst many others offer delicious food and beverage options for parents.
School District: Wayne is – oddly enough! – divided between Radnor, Tredyffrin-Easttown and Upper Merion school districts, depending on which county/township you are in.
Moving here? Real estate tip from the expert: Schools and proximity to transportation and Philadelphia are major attractions to our area. All three Wayne townships have seen house prices trend upward with the times. Many families move to Wayne and live in and enjoy their homes for decades. If you are looking to sell, consider updating your home to garner the best possible return (and ask me about the Compass Concierge program to see how we can help you do that easily and with no money out of pocket!). If you want to live in Wayne, take the time to tour the different neighborhoods to find one that suits your style – there are many to choose from! “Walking” Wayne tends to command a higher price point, so if you’re willing to hop in your car and drive downtown, you’ll find great options that cost a bit less.
Meet Gladwyne Real Estate Agent, Melissa Zimmerman
Melissa is a native New Yorker who has been happily raising her children for the past 16 years in the western suburbs of Philadelphia. Initially a human resources consultant with undergraduate and graduate degrees in business, she made the leap into Interior Design when her children were young. Adding real estate to the portfolio was a natural and exciting progression.
Now she uses her business and creative backgrounds to help clients understand what it takes to make their homes stand out in a crowded market, and/or to envision how a house can become their home.
“Great to work with. My wife and I were moving from Chicago and had 2 days to find a place to live. Melissa was incredibly accommodating with our shortened timeline and ultimately helped us find the right place for our family.” – Joe
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