Philadelphia’s Main Line area is one of the most popular places to find a home. The appeal for buyers is more space, an established neighborhood, great educational opportunities, and the relaxed vibe of the suburbs without giving up the urban spaces of the city.
But as is common in suburban areas, not every Main Line location gives homebuyers the chance to live car-free like some of Philadelphia’s most popular in-city neighborhoods.
Some Main Line communities have spaces that allow for walking with nice open sidewalks, but they still require getting into the car to get to the grocery store or even to access the train for commuting to work in the city.
If avoiding owning a car or reducing the use of your car, maybe even to one car for the household, is important, some Main Line communities might be a little more ideal to you than others.
Main Line Towns Where You Don’t Need a Car
Narberth
Narberth is ideal for buyers who want to use their car less because the town is compact. The downtown area is integrated into the residential neighborhood. Several homes are within walking distance to restaurants, shops, stores, services, and the Narberth SEPTA station. The station is in the center of town on the Paoli/Thorndale Line.
Everything in Narberth is close together. It is the closest thing you can get on the Main Line to a small town with easy access to Philadelphia
Ardmore
Ardmore is a good consideration for the homebuyer who wants to use the car less but does not want to give up plenty of shopping, dining, and a good variety of homes to choose from.
Lancaster Avenue and Suburban Square have a good commercial environment. There is a great collection of businesses that offers everything from coffee shops to daily errand needs to entertainment.
Ardmore also surprisingly offers more housing variety than some of the larger Main Line communities. However, not every home in Ardmore is conveniently walkable. Some properties with an Ardmore address do not mean they are automatically walkable.
Bryn Mawr
Bryn Mawr gives a different aspect to the walkable lifestyle. There is a great downtown area in Bryn Mawr. In addition to things to do and access close to some homes, the area is centered on Bryn Mawr College and the Bryn Mawr Film Institute. This creates some job opportunities and a lively community aspect that other areas don’t have.
Bryn Mawr has a SEPTA station with Regional Rail access, making it easy to get to the city and other areas. But not every address is walkable. Bryn Mawr is a little larger and spread out.
FAQ: Living without a Car on the Main Line
Which Main Line town is Best For People without a Car?
Narberth might be the strongest choice for people without a car. The compact downtown area and the SEPTA station within town offer the ability to walk everywhere and get on the train into Philadelphia.
Can you really live on the main line without a car?
Yes. However, personal preference for how far you want to walk every day can’t come into play in which area of the main line you choose to live.
Which main line towns have the best public transportation?
Narberth, Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Haverford, and Wayne all have SEPTA regional rail access. If commuting to Philadelphia is a consistent need, these areas are worth consideration.
Is Narberth more walkable than Ardmore?
For many homebuyers, yes, the area is more compact, and the layout is particularly easier to utilize for walking and public transportation. Ardmore has more shopping and dining options than Narberth, but it is a little more spread out.
Do I need a car if I live near a train station?
Not necessarily. Living close to the real station can make commuting into Philadelphia incredibly easy and convenient. But you also wanna consider grocery shopping and other activities in your daily life that you may utilize and need to get to.
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