Moving to Swarthmore PA means settling into a small Delaware County college borough with a train station at its heart. You get older homes on tree-lined streets, Wallingford-Swarthmore schools, and a quiet town center. Move day takes planning, because the streets are narrow and the porches are steep. Here is what our crews know.
What should you know before moving to Swarthmore PA?
Swarthmore is built around two things: Swarthmore College and the train. The college, founded by Quakers in 1864, sits on a hilly campus that doubles as the Scott Arboretum. The Regional Rail station sits at the bottom of that hill, right next to the town center on Park Avenue. Most of the borough fits inside a mile and a half, so people walk everywhere.
The borough line matters more than you might expect. Swarthmore Borough is wrapped by Nether Providence Township, Springfield Township, and Ridley Township, with tiny Rutledge Borough on one side. A Swarthmore mailing address often sits in one of those townships. That changes your trash pickup, your school district, and which office you call before a truck arrives.
What kinds of homes will you find in Swarthmore?
Most housing in Swarthmore was built between 1890 and 1940. Expect large Victorians, American Foursquares, stone Tudors, and Colonial Revivals, many with deep front porches and third-floor attics. Streets like Harvard Avenue, Yale Avenue, and Elm Avenue near the college hold the biggest homes. Newer construction is rare, because the borough has almost no open land left.
Those older homes are lovely, and they are also a workout to move. Doorways are narrow, stair turns are tight, and many kitchens sit at the back of the house. Our crews wrap every piece and pad the railings and door frames. Measure the stair turns before a large sectional goes up.
Apartments exist, but they are limited. A few small buildings sit near the station, and some larger complexes sit just over the line in Nether Providence and Ridley. Renters who want a walkable life usually target the blocks within a few minutes of the train. Our apartment movers handle those buildings often, including the ones with no elevator.
How do people commute from Swarthmore?
The Media/Wawa line is the backbone. Swarthmore Station is a short walk from nearly every block in the borough, and the ride to Suburban Station runs about 30 minutes. Parking at the station is limited, so most riders walk or get dropped off.
Drivers use Chester Road, which is Route 320, to reach Baltimore Pike and the Blue Route. From there, I-95 and the airport are a short hop south, and I-76 takes you into the city. Rush hour on Baltimore Pike near Springfield Mall backs up, so plan around it. The airport is usually 15 to 25 minutes away.
What are the schools like in Swarthmore?
The Wallingford-Swarthmore School District covers Swarthmore Borough, Nether Providence Township, and Rutledge Borough. Kids start at Swarthmore-Rutledge School, then move to Strath Haven Middle School and Strath Haven High School in Wallingford. The district is one of the main reasons families move here.
The borough line matters here too. A home with a Swarthmore address in Springfield Township goes to Springfield School District. A Ridley Township address goes to Ridley School District. Check the exact parcel with the district office before you sign anything.
What is there to do in Swarthmore?
The college campus is open to the public, and the Scott Arboretum is one of the best walks in Delaware County. The Crum Woods trails run along Crum Creek behind the campus and connect to the Leiper-Smedley Trail. The Swarthmore Farmers Market runs Saturday mornings in the town center from spring through fall.
Park Avenue and Dartmouth Avenue hold a few restaurants, a coffee shop, a bookstore, and the Swarthmore Co-op grocery. Media offers more dining a few minutes west, and our Media moving and storage team covers both towns.
What does moving day look like in Swarthmore?
Here is where local experience earns its keep. Swarthmore streets are narrow, many are lined with mature trees, and parking is allowed on both sides of most blocks. A 26-foot truck can usually get close, but not always to the curb in front of the house. Low branches and tight corners near the college are the usual trouble spots.
- ✓Call the borough office at least a week ahead to ask about temporary no-parking signs for your block.
- ✓Ask neighbors to keep the curb clear the night before, especially on blocks near the station.
- ✓Photograph your porch, railings, and door frames before the crew arrives.
- ✓Clear the walkway and any low branches over the driveway so movers can carry safely.
Move-in cycles follow the college calendar. Late August and late May are busy because faculty, staff, and families all move at once. A mid-month weekday outside those windows gives you more options and a calmer street.
Our college student moving and storage service handles dorm and off-campus moves around campus. For families, the Delaware County moving team is on these streets every week. Both crews know which blocks need a long carry and which porches need extra padding.
What does it cost to live in Swarthmore?
Swarthmore sits at the higher end of Delaware County for housing, and older homes carry real upkeep. Households that trade a car for the train save on commuting. Basements here are often damp, so anything stored below grade needs plastic bins, not cardboard. If you are downsizing from a larger suburban home, our packing, moving, and storage service can hold the overflow while you sort out what fits. Seniors moving near family can also use our senior moving help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Swarthmore PA a good place to live?
Swarthmore is a good fit for people who want a quiet, walkable college town with strong schools and a train to Philadelphia. The borough offers tree-lined streets, older homes with character, and a small town center by the station. Families choose it for Wallingford-Swarthmore schools, and many residents stay for decades.
What school district serves Swarthmore PA?
Wallingford-Swarthmore School District serves Swarthmore Borough, Nether Providence Township, and Rutledge Borough. Younger students attend Swarthmore-Rutledge School, then move on to Strath Haven Middle School and Strath Haven High School. Homes just outside the borough line in Springfield or Ridley fall under different districts, so confirm the boundary before you sign.
How long is the commute from Swarthmore to Center City Philadelphia?
The Media/Wawa Regional Rail line reaches Center City in roughly 30 minutes from Swarthmore Station. Driving by way of Baltimore Pike, the Blue Route, and I-76 usually takes 30 to 50 minutes depending on traffic. Many residents walk to the train, which sits right in the town center on Chester Road.
Do I need a parking permit to move in Swarthmore Borough?
Swarthmore Borough does not require a permit for every move, but you should call the borough office when curb space is tight. Staff can explain current rules for temporary no-parking signs and truck placement near the town center. Rules and lead times change, so confirm requirements directly before scheduling your move.
Is Swarthmore the right move for you?
Moving to Swarthmore PA rewards people who want a small, quiet town with a real intellectual pulse and an easy train ride. It asks something in return: patience with older houses and narrow streets. If that trade sounds right, plan the move early, confirm the school boundary, and let a crew that works these blocks handle the heavy lifting.
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