Relocating to the Philadelphia Area: Merion

So you’re relocating to Philadelphia’s Main Line but aren’t sure where to look for a house? Is easy access to center city a plus? Do you appreciate history and buildings from a bygone era? You might be right at home in Merion (also known as Merion Station). The enormous slate-roofed stone school on Montgomery Avenue is a wonderful example of the kind of architecture you’ll find throughout this Main Line town. You’ll see plenty of old stone and original stucco homes here, many with interesting histories. Basic services and retail are within walking distance to most homes in Merion, which is a very desirable feature, and can be challenging to find on the Main Line.

If you just want a quick overview, I encourage you to take a look at my “Neighborhood in a Nutshell” series. For the Merion post, click here. To read more in depth about Merion, and see some pictures of the area, click here. If you are interested in learning about other Main Line Philadelphia towns, please see my Main Line Neighborhood Guide.

Please contact me for more information at 610 308-5973 or jen@jenniferlebow.com.

Merion Overview

Merion residents love the convenience of living near the Bala Cynwyd library, the train station and the botanical gardens. Merion is also near shopping and dining and lots of basic services.  There are several historic buildings, including the original Barnes Museum (which has since moved to Center City) and the Merion Tribute House. Much of Merion feels similarly old (but in an elegant way) and the brick-paved portion of Merion Rd. is another example of the town’s appreciation of its history. This area is not the kind of place where people knock down old homes and build modern mini-mansions.

Merion: What it’s like to live here

Merion Park is one of the most popular neighborhoods in this community. Lots of short streets that connect and all roads lead to the wonderful playground and park (complete with ball field, tennis courts and basketball). Merion Park is one of the most kid-friendly spots around and it is a wonderful place to trick-or-treat. There are a couple of “estate” blocks, where you’ll find very large, elegant homes. They are not ostentatious or showy though; rather, they simply harken back to another era.

The section of Merion that borders Narberth is mostly comprised of colonials (both two-story as well as three-story Dutch ones) and these streets are very high in demand due to their proximity to the ever-popular Narberth.  People who live here tend to subscribe to the notion that neighbors should know each other, gather, and create community. The nearby Merion Elementary School is surrounded by some of the most sought after streets in the town and they rarely come up for sale. There are some sidewalks on these streets, which are always in demand. Need something a little gentler on the budget? You can find some twins and small single homes on a few of the streets in Merion, particularly near the train station and near route 1. From the elite mansions to modest twins, Merion offers everything on the continuum.

Read more about Merion on Wikipedia.

If you are relocating to the Philadelphia/Main Line area, please go to my blog page and search for posts using the relocation tag. Contact me to discuss your Philadelphia area relocation! jen@jenniferlebow.com/610 308-5973