February 16, 2021
Content sponsored by
Thom Carroll/for PhillyVoice
Lancaster Avenue in Bryn Mawr.
The Greater Philadelphia Area is a hotspot for homebuyers in 2021, and sellers have a confluence of out-of-towners, longtime residents, and investors battling for their coveted real estate.
While some folks are seeking a condo or rowhome in Center City, other buyers find themselves competing for houses in the Philly suburbs. Whether you are a seasoned buyer looking to trade up for a larger place to work remotely from or purchase a home with a backyard in a hip commuter town, Philly has suburban options to please all aspiring homeowners.
Below, the team from Prevu Real Estate shares a list of the Philly suburbs where buyers are most focused to start 2021.
Known as the Garden District, Chestnut Hill is a suburb in northwest Philadelphia that was a premier getaway for Philadelphians before the Revolutionary War.
Today, homebuyers exploring listings in Chestnut Hill will find an idyllic commuter suburb just 12 miles from City Center, Philadelphia. The region is known for the historic Victorian-style mansions nestled on wide, tree-lined streets. Germantown Avenue is the commercial strip of Chestnut Hill, where suburban explorers will find a collection of boutiques, antique shops, restaurants, art galleries, and even old-fashioned tea rooms for brunch.
Fans of Harry Potter will rejoice in knowing that Chestnut Hill hosts a festival each October in honor of the boy who lived! While the festival is on hold due to the pandemic, new homebuyers have plenty to do in Chestnut Hill, like lounge out in the Morris Arboretum or peruse the many farmer's markets strewn about town. Buyers coming in from out of town can stay a night in the Old Cress Hotel on Germantown Avenue, and there are two SEPTA stations ready to whisk travelers away to southern Philadelphia.
In the middle of the Main Line communities just outside of downtown Philadelphia, buyers will find the enclave of Bryn Mawr.
These Main Line towns include Devon, Malvern, Haverford, and Bryn Mawr, which is only 15 miles away from Center City. Bryn Mawr derives its name from the Welsh word for Big Hill, and the community historically acted as a retreat for the wealthy elite of Philadelphia. Bryn Mawr is home to spacious Tudor, French Normandy, and Colonial mansions dating back to the late 1700s.
Beyond historic properties, homebuyers exploring Bryn Mawr will find developers working on new construction homes blending old and new, creating historically accurate Colonial-style mansions meshed with verandas featuring sharp 90-degree angles constructed out of steel and wood.
Philadelphians exploring Bryn Mawr can take the Paoli/Thorndale SEPTA line to get to the area where they will find a collection of single-sided duplexes and large three-story Victorians just off Route 30, the main commercial strip of the town. While checking out open houses, make sure to visit Hope’s Country Fresh Cookies off Route 30 for a sweet treat between stops.
First-time homebuyers and veteran homeowners will fall in love with picturesque Conshohocken, which sits on the shores of the Schuylkill River.
Conshohocken is easily accessible, as buyers can take the Manayunk/Norristown SEPTA line north or drive up from Philadelphia via scenic I-76. Conshohocken is an established suburb for those seeking a vibrant bar and restaurant scene similar to the one found in Fishtown.
Colloquially known as Conshy to locals, developers built up much of Conshohocken in the past few years, creating plenty of chances for buyers to own condo units or close on a modern or recently updated home.
The town previously had a booming milling industry, but now Conshohocken has revitalized as more folks have relocated to the suburb in droves to get a suburban feel while remaining close to Philadelphia.
The Riverview neighborhood attracts many new homeowners, as the district hosts a plethora of restaurants, delis, and beautiful riverfront condo buildings. Residents exploring the neighborhood should wander to Fayette Street, where they can have a meal at Flanagan’s Boathouse, then head down to the riverfront to take in the sights.
Just a short 10 miles away from Center City, Media is a convenient suburb to move to for buyers seeking easy access to Philadelphia complete with nearby outdoor spaces to visit.
Incorporated in the 1850s, Media originally dates back to the 1600s when William Penn sold the land to developers who created 40 homesteads in this rural suburb town. Today, Media evokes a small-town feel with a bustling commercial district surrounded by tree-lined residential streets.
Once a buyer leaves the downtown of Media, they will find properties with extensive lawns and homes nestled far away from the street. Philadelphians thinking of upgrading to their first suburban home will appreciate the lively commercial district of Media, complete with a light rail system running through the town, a varied collection of restaurants, and several parks to explore after a hard day of working from home.
Buyers can find historic Victorian homes in Media, but developers are also creating new construction modern Colonial mansions.
What was once a rural suburb community about 15 miles away from Center City, Newtown Square is now a booming suburb after massive redevelopment efforts introduced a wave of new construction condo complexes and townhouses.
While there are many opportunities for buyers to purchase one of these properties, a defining feature of Newtown Square is the historic single-family homes. These homes feature large parcels of land, sometimes laden with a thick collection of trees, providing a serene retreat for homeowners desiring ample space.
Most of the neighborhood consists of residential properties, but buyers will find a lively commercial district at Westchester Pike and North Newtown Street Road. Local residents will find restaurants, shopping outlets, and even a Whole Foods at this intersection.
Outdoorsy buyers will fall in love with Newtown Square, as a significant chunk of Ridley Creek State Park is within the town’s boundaries. Golfers living in Philadelphia will also be attracted to Newtown Square, with potential options like the Aronimink Golf Club.
