More Than a Suburb: The Best Philly-Area Towns for Renters

I’m Richard, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Philadelphia. While the city itself has a lot to offer—world-class museums, walkable neighborhoods, rich history and an exceptional restaurant scene—many renters find great options in the surrounding areas that balance affordability, space and accessibility.

There are many reasons why you might consider living outside of Philadelphia. Unlike some suburban areas that are composed of seemingly endless strip malls and concrete, many of the best places to live near Philly actually feel like small towns. They offer more space, great schools and a quieter lifestyle.

Apartments near Philadelphia are often quite affordable—sometimes more so than in the city itself. And connectivity via highways and train routes means that the commute when living in suburban Delaware and Montgomery counties tends to be highly manageable.

Ardmore

Ardmore is ranked among the best places to live near Philadelphia, perhaps more than any other city. Okay, technically, it’s an unincorporated community and census-designated place, not a city. But it feels very much like its own community, not just a Philly suburb.

I think one of the reasons Ardmore is so popular is that it’s so varied. There’s a little bit of everything here: suburban tranquility, a dash of urban grit, and properties that range from modest single-family homes to multimillion-dollar mansions. It’s also just 9 miles outside Center City Philadelphia, and the SEPTA Paoli/Thorndale Regional Rail line connects Ardmore to Philadelphia’s Suburban Station in about 20 minutes.

Its walkable downtown district has earned Ardmore the nickname, “Main Street of the Main Line.” Living here makes it easy to walk or bike to a wide range of coffee shops, boutiques, breweries and restaurants. Check out Tired Hands Brewing Company, a brewery in a historic trolley repair shop known for its inventive craft brews, and Carlino's Market, famous for its artisanal Italian foods.

Ardmore also has a lot of great retail options, including Suburban Square—one of the country’s oldest outdoor shopping centers—which features national retailers alongside local spots. There’s a great local farmer’s market as well as a Trader Joe’s and a Whole Foods, which kind of sums up the dichotomy of Admore. It often feels both big and small, local and large-scale, urban and suburban.

There is a definite sense of community in Ardmore. It’s welcoming of newcomers, but it definitely has a tight-knit vibe. You get the sense that most of the people who live here are proud to live here and really make an effort to take care of the community. The public schools are highly rated, with most of Ardmore falling within the Lower Merion School District (a portion of the town spills over into the Haverford Township School District).

Cost of living is a bit of a mixed bag, especially when it comes to real estate. Charming streets are lined with historic homes, modern condos and classic twins. Rents are higher than the national average, but lower than Ardmore’s pricier neighboring Main Line towns like Narberth and Bryn Mawr.

Who should consider moving here? Ardmore has a lot to offer families seeking good schools, and for young professionals who want a reasonable commute. If you want to move to the suburbs without feeling like you’re compromising, this is a great place to consider. It has all the advantages of suburban living, but also has its own distinct identity, with a vibrant, walkable downtown and just enough urban grit to remind you that Philly isn’t far away.

Phoenixville

Phoenixville is a bit farther from the city center than Ardmore and has a little more of a small-town feel. It’s still well within the Philadelphia metro area, and it’s a good-sized town with a population of around 20,000 people, but it feels considerably more removed from the bustle and grind of city life.

Once a bustling steel town with roots in the 18th century, Phoenixville is now known for its vibrant, revitalized downtown. Bridge Street is Phoenixville’s de facto main street, and it’s lined with independent cafes, coffee shops, restaurants and breweries. It’s a surprisingly hip and lively downtown for a suburban community, with a great mix of modern amenities and historic ambiance. Steel City Coffeehouse & Brewery is a favorite spot, serving as an indie music venue as well as a gathering place for coffee and craft beer lovers.

Film buffs might recognize Phoenixville’s historic Colonial Theatre as a filming location for the 1958 sci-fi cult classic The Blob, starring Steve McQueen. Today, the restored movie house hosts film screenings and concerts.

Another thing I really love about Phoenixville is its abundance of outdoor access. Located at the junction of French Creek and the Schuylkill River, the town is a haven for cyclists and hikers, with direct access to the Schuylkill River Trail. Reservoir Park has a popular disc golf course, and Black Rock Sanctuary is a beautiful nature area with great bird watching. There’s some very good fishing in the area, too; trout are stocked annually in French and Pickering creeks, and bass fishing can be excellent in the Schuylkill River and Schuylkill Canal.

Rent is moderately affordable here, and definitely cheaper than Philadelphia or nearby King of Prussia, which is known for its mall and major shopping outlets. Schools are good too, with the Phoenixville Area School District earning an overall A grade on Niche.

Consider moving to Phoenixville if you’re looking for a blend of suburban quiet with a bustling arts scene, craft breweries and diverse dining. It’s great for families and working professionals, but be sure to have realistic expectations regarding the commute. The drive to Philly is about 30 minutes under normal conditions, but can stretch to 50 minutes when rush hour traffic backs up the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76).

Lansdowne

A small but closely-knit community in Delaware County, Lansdowne is known for its beautiful old Victorian homes and for its proximity to the Philadelphia City Center. Quick SEPTA train access means Philly is less than 10 minutes away, and the quick commute is a real perk for those who live here.

Lansdowne is an old, well-established borough with a lot of character. It’s safe and mostly quiet—the kind of place where people walk their dogs along the sidewalks, kids ride their bikes to school, and old-timers gather for coffee at the local cafe every morning. Despite its proximity to the city, it feels very much like a small town.

Another major point in Landsdowne’s favor is its affordability. Home prices and rents here tend to be substantially lower than the Philadelphia area average, and the historic character of many homes makes it possible to live in a beautiful old house for relatively low rent. The borough also maintains some lovely parks and green spaces, including Sycamore Park, featuring a massive 400-year-old tree.

If there’s a downside to Lansdowne, it’s that some might consider it a little too quiet. The population definitely skews a little older here, and there isn’t much nightlife to speak of. The downtown area, mostly centered around Baltimore and Lansdowne avenues, features a smattering of restaurants, a couple of coffee shops and a handful of local shops, but it isn’t quite as lively as some other downtown districts in the Philly suburbs.

There are definitely signs of growing revitalization here, but it's a bit sleepy. Young residents should plan on heading into the city if they’re looking for late-night entertainment.

Luckily, the commute is super easy and convenient, and it’s hard to overstate just how laid-back and welcoming this community is. Lansdowne is a true hidden gem in Delco. Safe, walkable, diverse and historically rich, it’s great for anyone seeking a quiet life, affordable housing and easy access to urban amenities.

Media

“Everybody’s Hometown.” That’s the nickname frequently assigned to the borough of Media, the county seat of Delaware County, about 13 miles west of Philadelphia. It’s been ranked one of the best suburbs in America, and it has to be one of the very few places that still have an active trolley running down its main street.

Media is charming and picturesque, offering an active, engaging suburban life that never feels boring. It’s a truly lively and vibrant community, with a walkable downtown area centered around State Street. Hopping aboard the trolley will put you in Philadelphia in about an hour, but that’s the scenic route; you can easily make the drive in 30 minutes most days.

The restaurant scene is especially great here, with dozens of top-notch eateries within a few blocks of one another. Many of them participate in the "Dining Under the Stars" series every summer, where the street is closed to traffic weekly for open-air dining. Dim Sum Mania is one of the best Asian restaurants around, Taquero MX is great for Mexican, and Brick & Brew offers phenomenal rustic New American fare and craft beverages. Head to Burlap and Bean Roastery for excellent in-house-roasted coffee.

Media is a moderately affluent suburb, and rents tend to be a bit higher than average in the area, partly due to high demand. This is simply a place where a lot of people want to live, and it’s fair to expect to pay a bit more for a great apartment in a desirable community. Schools in Media have an A+ Niche grade, and the borough is also convenient to several institutions of higher learning, including Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania Institute of Technology and Delaware County Community College.

At the end of the day, Media is a great place for anyone whose home search is lifestyle-focused. It has all the advantages of a peaceful suburb—great schools, safe streets, laid-back vibes—but there’s also a lot to see and do here, including outstanding shopping, dining and nightlife.

Lastly, I want to mention outdoor attractions. This is a perfect place for anyone who loves hiking, cycling and other outdoorsy pursuits. In Media, you’re minutes away from Scott Arboretum & Gardens, Ridley Creek State Park and many other outdoor destinations.

Conshohocken

Conshohocken is a stone’s throw from the North Philly neighborhood of Manayunk, but it’s very much its own place, close enough to the city to feel connected but far enough that its own distinctive vibe remains intact. Home to around 9,800 people, “Conshy” is like a small town that’s also spacious enough to have its own industry, attractions and opportunities.

Cradled by a graceful bend in the Schuylkill River, Conshohocken is 15 miles from City Center Philadelphia and 15 minutes from the malls and major retailers of Kind of Prussia. Shopping options in the town itself lean more independent, with locally-owned boutiques like Thirteen Circles, the Artist’s Loft and XTRA Boutique being local favorites. The landmark Edwards Freeman­ Nut Company has been doling out sweets and treats on East Hector Street since 1930.

Many of the homes here are classic row houses that will be familiar to anyone who has spent time in and around Philly. Luxury riverfront developments make the average rent seem high, but rest assured that there are considerably more affordable options here too.

Commuters will find getting back and forth to the city easy. Quick access to I-76 and I-476 provides a straight route to Center City, and SEPTA Regional Rail’s Manayunk/Norristown line connects directly into Philadelphia. The village of Conshohocken itself is highly walkable, with many homes being just a few blocks from shopping and dining.

Schools here are highly rated, and opportunities for outdoor recreation abound. The multi-use Schuylkill River Trail runs right through town, and the sprawling Wissahickon County Park—one of my favorite urban hiking destinations in Greater Philly—is nearby. Golfers can enjoy easy access to the prestigious Union League Liberty Hill and Philadelphia Country Club.

I would recommend Conshy to just about anyone. There’s a youthful energy to the community, with a lot of young professionals and tech workers who enjoy the quick commute and energetic riverside lifestyle. It’s a great place for families looking for elbow room and excellent schools, and anyone who desires urban energy and riverfront access without leaving the suburbs.

Final Thoughts

Living in a smaller city near Philadelphia always comes with trade-offs compared to living in the city proper. Philly offers unbeatable walkability and public transportation along with immediate access to top-tier dining, museums and nightlife, but some residents might feel hemmed-in, with small yards, tightly packed apartments and scarcity of off-street parking. Suburbs typically offer more space and a quieter lifestyle, though they are more car-dependent.

Affordability varies widely, and renting an apartment near Philadelphia is often comparable to the cost of living in the city itself. Many of the best places to live near Philadelphia tend to have their own unique character that feels simultaneously part of the greater urban area, yet also separate from it.

At the end of the day, choosing to live in a suburban area or closer to the city center comes down to a careful weighing of priorities.