Ardmore, Havertown and Bryn Mawr (Narberth, Penn: houses, neighborhoods, movie theater)

[winniedapu]

What are these neighborhoods like?

We are looking for a neighborhood with the following characteristics;
1. Good school district
2. has its own shopping/dining scene (shopping specifically, grocery stores, farmers market etc)
3. friendly

We'd be new to Philly and have no friends or family close by so we are definitely looking for a neighborhood that is warm and open to new people. Husband is a surgeon and I'm getting my PhD and we have a 2.5 year old and another on the way. We can spend up to $700,000 (4 bed, 2+ bath)

PS: we picked these neighborhoods as husband would be working at Temple University Hospital and needs to be within a 30-minute commute to work and based on what we can spend.

Thanks!

[mls128]

If you can spend up to $700k I would definitely cross Havertown off the list. Not terrible but definitely better places to be and the schools are mediocre at best. Ardmore is part of the lower merion school district which is GREAT. And I believe parts of bryn mawr are in lower merion and parts are in radnor school district which are equally good, both some of the best schools in the state. I personally love Ardmore, has some areas with gorgeous homes and some with rowhouses that are a little gritty looking but all of it is is a nice area. The main shopping area is Suburban Square which has a lot of nice shops and a trader joes if you want to look that up. Bryn Mawr is a little more upscale,has probably a bit more shopping a movie theater, but they are both really close to eachother anyway.

[C21Scotty]

Don't forgert Narberth, a great little town with some nice resturants, a small theater, parks, close enough to trader joe's/whole foods, and in Lower Merion School District. Ardmore is also a very nice community.

[rainrock]

Agree with suggestions above . Narberth,Ardmore,Wynnewood,Merion Station,Bryn Mawr,Penn Valley,Rosemont,Haverford (which is a step up from Havertown). Wayne and Radnor are terrific too but might be a the bit past the 30 minute commute , depending on traffic.

Good luck.