Main Line, PA Neighborhoods – A Town-by-Town Guide

What is the Philadelphia Main Line?

The “Main Line” refers to a stretch of suburbs west of Philadelphia that originally grew up along the Pennsylvania Railroad. Today, it’s known for its tree-lined streets, established neighborhoods, strong public schools, and a mix of walkable town centers and quiet residential pockets.

Most buyers use “Main Line” as shorthand for communities in Lower Merion, Radnor, Haverford, and Tredyffrin/Easttown townships, along with a few closely connected nearby areas. The common thread: convenient access to Center City, commuter rail stations, and long-term housing value.

Main Line Neighborhoods by Township

Use this section to quickly compare towns. Click into any full neighborhood guide to see more detail on homes, lifestyle, and local spots.

Lower Merion Township Neighborhoods

• Ardmore - A highly recognizable Main Line town with a real “center of gravity” around Suburban Square. Ardmore combines older stone and brick homes, twins, and newer townhomes with strong walkability, shopping, and regional rail access. ARDMORE FULL NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE
  
• Bala Cynwyd - Closest to Philadelphia along the City Avenue corridor. Bala Cynwyd offers classic stone homes, access to both Center City and Manayunk, and an easy commute by car or train. It’s a good fit if you want Main Line schools with shorter city commutes. BALA CYNWYD FULL NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE
• Gladwyne - One of the most rural-feeling Main Line communities, known for large lots, estate properties, and a quieter, more private setting. You’ll find everything from historic farmhouses to substantial custom homes, often with more land than neighboring towns. GLADWYNE FULL NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE
• Haverford (Lower Merion side) - On the Lower Merion side, Haverford offers a blend of classic Main Line homes, easy access to Haverford College and the Merion Cricket Club area, and quick connections to Bryn Mawr and Ardmore. It’s a great “in-between” option if you want proximity to multiple town centers. HAVERFORD FULL NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE
• Merion Station - Known for its beautiful residential streets, classic homes, and close proximity to Center City via the Merion regional rail station. Merion Station has a quieter feel but still keeps you close to Bala Cynwyd and Narberth amenities. MERION STATION FULL NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE
• Narberth - Technically its own borough within Lower Merion, Narberth feels like a small town inside the Main Line: a tight-knit community with a compact, walkable downtown, active local events, and a strong sense of community identity. NARBERTH FULL NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE
• Penn Valley - Primarily residential, with a mix of older homes and mid-century properties, some with larger lots and wooded settings. Penn Valley appeals to buyers who want a quieter feel but still easy access to Bala Cynwyd, Narberth, and major routes. PENN VALLEY FULL NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE
• Wynnewood - A centrally located Main Line community with a mix of single homes, twins, and some condo/apt options. Wynnewood offers strong everyday convenience, shopping corridors, and easy access to Ardmore, Narberth, and the city. WYNNEWOOD FULL NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE
• For a complete overview of Lower Merion School District schools, boundaries, and feeder maps, visit the LMSD Resource Guide.

Radnor Township Neighborhoods

• Bryn Mawr - Shared across multiple townships, Bryn Mawr is one of the best-known Main Line towns, anchored by Bryn Mawr Hospital, nearby colleges, and an active downtown strip. Housing spans from older stone twins and singles to larger estate-style properties. BRYN MAWR FULL NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE
• Radnor - Radnor and its surrounding neighborhoods give you convenient access to the Radnor Financial Center, parks, and Radnor High School campus. It’s popular with commuters who want easy highway and rail access alongside a strong school district. RADNOR FULL NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE
• Wayne - A consistently in-demand town with a very walkable village center, shops, restaurants, and a lively small-town feel. The housing stock includes classic Main Line homes, updated singles, and some newer construction near town. WAYNE FULL NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE
• Villanova - Known for Villanova University and larger homes on generous lots, Villanova offers a more wooded, residential feel with quick access to both Radnor and Lower Merion amenities. It’s a strong option if you prioritize space and privacy. VILLANOVA FULL NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE
  

Haverford Township & Nearby

• Havertown - Immediately adjacent to the traditional Main Line towns, Havertown offers a neighborhood-driven feel, strong community amenities, and housing that’s often more approachable in price while still being close to Ardmore and Haverford. HAVERTOWN FULL NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE
• Haverford (Haverford Twp side) - On the Haverford Township side, you’ll see classic 20th-century housing, walkable pockets, and easy access to both Havertown and Bryn Mawr. Many buyers consider it a bridge between more urban-feeling areas and the historic Main Line core. HAVERFORD FULL NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE

Tredyffrin / Easttown & Chester County

• Berwyn - Located in the T/E (Tredyffrin/Easttown) School District, Berwyn offers a mix of in-town living and quieter neighborhoods a bit farther west. You’ll find older homes, newer construction, and a growing downtown corridor along Lancaster Avenue. BERWYN FULL NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE
• Paoli - Farther out on the rail line, Paoli combines a major regional rail hub with a wide range of housing – from more modest homes and townhomes to properties on larger lots. It’s a good choice if you want Main Line access with a bit more space and sometimes more value for the money. PAOLI FULL NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE
  

Which Main Line neighborhood is right for you?

There isn’t one “best” Main Line town — it depends on lifestyle, budget, and commute. Here’s a quick way to think about it:

If you want walkability & a true town center, look at:

• Ardmore – Suburban Square, shops, dining, regional rail.
• Bryn Mawr – Hospital, colleges, and a dense, active downtown.
• Narberth – Small-town feel, highly walkable core.
• Wayne – Charming village center with restaurants, boutiques, and events.

These are great options if you like to walk to coffee, dinner, or the train instead of driving everywhere.

If you want larger lots & a quieter setting, consider:

• Gladwyne – Estate properties, wooded lots, and a more rural feel.
• Villanova – Larger homes, more privacy, easy access to both Radnor and Lower Merion.
• Penn Valley – Primarily residential, with homes on bigger lots and a quieter vibe.

You’ll trade a bit of walkability for privacy and space.

If you’re looking for more approachable price points near the Main Line core, look at:

• Havertown – Strong community feel and more modest pricing while staying close to Ardmore and Haverford.
• Parts of Ardmore, Haverford, and Wynnewood also offer pockets that can be more attainable than the highest-priced areas, depending on home type and location.

These towns often appeal to first-time buyers or anyone trying to balance budget with proximity to the Main Line.

If schools are your top priority

The Main Line is known for strong public school districts, including Lower Merion, Radnor, Haverford, and T/E (Tredyffrin/Easttown). Specific “best” schools will depend on your criteria and grade levels, but towns like Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Gladwyne, Narberth, Wayne, Radnor, Berwyn, and Paoli are all frequently on the list when families prioritize school quality.

If schools are your main driver, it’s worth a conversation about boundary lines and how they intersect with the neighborhoods above.

FAQs about living on the Main Line

Q: What towns are considered part of the Main Line?
A: Traditionally, the Main Line followed the old Pennsylvania Railroad stops west of Philadelphia. Today, most people group towns like Ardmore, Bala Cynwyd, Bryn Mawr, Gladwyne, Haverford, Merion Station, Narberth, Penn Valley, Wynnewood, Radnor, Wayne, Villanova, Berwyn, and Paoli under the Main Line umbrella, with nearby areas like Havertown often included in the conversation.

Q: Is the Main Line a good place to live if I commute to Center City Philadelphia?
A: Yes. Many Main Line towns have direct regional rail stations and quick access to major roadways, so commuting to Center City or University City is very doable. Your exact commute time will depend on the town and how close you are to a station or highway access point.

Q: Which Main Line neighborhoods are the most walkable?
A: Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Narberth, and Wayne are among the most walkable, thanks to their town centers, local shops, and rail stations. Parts of Haverford, Bala Cynwyd, and Havertown also offer walkable pockets, though the feel varies block by block.

Q: How competitive is the housing market on the Main Line?
A: In many price ranges, the Main Line is a competitive, low-inventory market, especially for updated homes in walkable locations or highly sought-after school zones. It’s still possible to find opportunities, but it helps to be prepared, pre-approved, and working with an agent who knows each micro-market.

Next steps: explore neighborhoods, then plan your move

Here’s how to use this guide:

1. Shortlist 3–5 towns that match your lifestyle (walkable vs. quiet, closer vs. farther from the city, budget range).
2. Dive into the full neighborhood guides for those towns using the links above.
3. Browse current listings to get a feel for what’s available at different price points.
4. Schedule a consultation so we can walk through the pros and cons of each area and build a strategy around your timing and budget.

If you’re buying, start with my Buyer Experience page.
If you’re selling, you can see how I market homes on the Main Line and request your home value.