Chadds Ford is not really the Main Line, but I decided to mention this town as it’s an area that some of my relocating buyers ask me about, partly due to its very highly rated school district. It is much more rural and, geographically, much further south. It can be considered a Philadelphia suburb, but most locals simply characterize it as Wyeth country. Yes, I mean the painters. The bucolic rolling hills and glimpses of the Brandywine River are the mainstay of this area. There are a couple of canoeing/kayaking companies that rent boats for easy floating down the river.
It’s a little farther from center city than many of the other suburbs, but not too far from the Philadelphia airport. It definitely has a more rural feel to it and there’s not a lot of commercial activity—some restaurants and local businesses, but much more of a residential area. It is just down the road from the famous Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, which is a must-see if you enjoy flowers, beautiful landscapes and greenhouses that will inspire and impress you.
Chadds Ford also offers some wineries. There are many properties with lots of land, and you’ll see some horses, too, but there are also some newer developments with large, very high end homes. There are cultural and historical sites to visit, including Brandywine Battlefield and the Brandywine River Museum. People looking for a more peaceful way of life who don’t mind having to drive a little bit to shopping and dining may be well-suited to Chadds Ford, especially if they don’t need to commute to Philadelphia for work.
