The best Bryn Mawr neighborhoods for families combine access to highly regarded public schools, established residential streets, green space, and convenient connections to Philadelphia. Families can choose between quieter areas with larger detached homes and more walkable locations close to shops, restaurants, libraries, parks, and public transportation. Housing options and school assignments also vary across Bryn Mawr, making the exact location of a home an important part of the decision. Comparing property size, school boundaries, local amenities, and transportation access can help narrow the search before buying. Once you find the right area, experienced Philadelphia movers can handle the relocation and help you settle into your new Bryn Mawr home.
1. North-Side Bryn Mawr
North-Side Bryn Mawr stands out for its low-density residential character, larger detached homes, and private outdoor space. Residential streets north of the town center contain stone Colonials, Tudors, historic homes, and estate-style properties, with some houses occupying lots of one acre or more. Median real estate price here is around $1,316,155. Mature trees, longer driveways, and greater setbacks between homes provide additional separation from neighboring properties.
The area around Old Gulph Road, Morris Avenue, Pennswood Road, and nearby residential streets is particularly attractive to families looking for more space. At the upper end of the market, North-Side Bryn Mawr includes estates exceeding 5,000–7,000 square feet, and properties on two-acre-plus lots occasionally become available. Larger lots and detached homes generally come at a substantial premium, but they provide room for play areas, gardens, patios, pools, and other private outdoor spaces. If your family decides to relocate, make sure to book the right moving services in Philadelphia PA.
Strong Public Schools Near North-Side Bryn Mawr
Families in North-Side Bryn Mawr are served by the Lower Merion School District, with school assignment depending on the property’s exact address.
- Harriton High School, located directly in Bryn Mawr at 600 N. Ithan Avenue, serves part of the area and offers more than 20 Advanced Placement courses, along with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The school reports a graduation rate of approximately 95%, giving college-bound students access to both AP and IB coursework.
- Gladwyne Elementary School and Ithan Elementary School for younger students, are among the schools serving addresses in and around the northern Bryn Mawr area, although families should verify the attendance boundary for an individual home before buying.
North-Side Bryn Mawr ranks first among Bryn Mawr neighborhoods for school quality. That ranking is much more useful in context: families aren’t simply buying into an area that scores well in a neighborhood database; they’re gaining access to an established public-school system with advanced academic programs available nearby.
More Outdoor Space Beyond Your Backyard
Families also have access to substantial green space nearby.
- Harriton Park covers approximately 13 acres, providing a natural setting around the historic Harriton House property.
- Ashbridge Memorial Park spans nearly 29 acres and includes open lawn, walking areas, a playground, and the historic Ashbridge House.
These spaces give families additional options for outdoor recreation without traveling far from the residential areas of North-Side Bryn Mawr.
The Tradeoff: Less Walkability
More space comes with a practical compromise. Properties farther north are generally less convenient for walking to Lancaster Avenue, the Bryn Mawr SEPTA station, restaurants, shops, and everyday services. Families in these areas are more likely to depend on a car for errands and commuting.
For households willing to trade walkability for larger yards, quieter surroundings, and greater separation between homes, North-Side Bryn Mawr is one of the strongest options in the area. Movers in Bryn Mawr PA will do their best to help you if you decide to relocate here.
2. South-Side Bryn Mawr / Bryn Mawr College
South-Side Bryn Mawr is a strong choice for families who prefer walkability, public transportation, and convenient access to everyday amenities over the larger lots available farther north. Housing is more varied here, ranging from smaller units to three- and four-bedroom homes, with both single-family properties and apartment buildings represented. Much of the neighborhood’s housing stock was built before 1940, adding older Main Line homes to the available options.
The median real estate price is approximately $771,000, substantially below the roughly $1.32 million median in North-Side Bryn Mawr. That difference makes South-Side Bryn Mawr worth considering for families who don’t need an acre-plus property but still want to live in Bryn Mawr.
Schools and Safety Add to the Appeal
South-Side Bryn Mawr / Bryn Mawr College also performs well on two factors that matter to families. NeighborhoodScout ranks it second among Bryn Mawr neighborhoods for school quality, behind North-Side Bryn Mawr, based on school data that includes federal and state test results. The same neighborhood analysis characterizes South-Side Bryn Mawr as having above-average safety from crime.
That combination strengthens its position among the best Bryn Mawr neighborhoods for families, particularly for households that want schools and safety without making a large private lot their highest priority.
Walkability Is the Main Advantage
The Bryn Mawr SEPTA station provides direct Paoli/Thorndale Line service toward 30th Street, Suburban, and Jefferson stations in Philadelphia. Many scheduled trips between Bryn Mawr and Center City take approximately 20–30 minutes. This gives commuting families an alternative to driving.
Lancaster Avenue puts restaurants, shops, and services close to the surrounding residential area. Bryn Mawr Film Institute, at 824 W. Lancaster Avenue, is only two blocks from the Regional Rail station, while Bryn Mawr College adds a large campus nearby.
The tradeoff is straightforward: South-Side Bryn Mawr generally offers less private land than North-Side Bryn Mawr, but families gain easier access to rail transportation, shopping, dining, and other everyday destinations. For households that value being able to reach more of Bryn Mawr without getting in the car for every trip, that can be a worthwhile exchange. Hiring local movers in Philadelphia PA when moving here makes the relocation process much easier for families.
3. Mill Ridge
Mill Ridge is a residential condominium community in Bryn Mawr that offers a different type of family living from the detached homes and large private lots of North-Side Bryn Mawr. The community occupies more than 30 landscaped acres and primarily contains condos, carriage-style townhomes, and one- or two-level residences built around 1979–1982. Many units have two bedrooms, patios or balconies, dedicated parking, and additional storage.
Prices are also considerably lower than the seven-figure figures seen in North-Side Bryn Mawr. A 1,325-square-foot, two-bedroom condo was sold for $417,000 in January 2026, while a renovated two-bedroom carriage-style townhome was listed for $535,000 in July 2026. Another 1,325-square-foot unit entered the market at $409,900 in January 2026. Those moving from a larger home may also use temporary storage in Philadelphia for furniture and belongings that do not immediately fit into a smaller Mill Ridge residence.
A Pool, Clubhouse, and Guest Space Are Built Into the Community
One of Mill Ridge’s clearest advantages is that families don’t have to maintain a large property to gain access to recreational and outdoor space. Residents have access to a heated outdoor swimming pool, landscaped common grounds, and the historic Manor House, which functions as the community clubhouse. The Manor House also provides guest suites for residents’ visitors, while some listings identify additional community facilities such as entertainment space and a small gym.
That convenience comes with a recurring cost. Current 2026 listings show condo fees of approximately $570–$575 per month. Depending on the property, those fees cover services such as lawn maintenance, snow removal, water, common-area maintenance, exterior building maintenance, management, and pool access.
Access to Radnor Township Schools
Mill Ridge is located within the Radnor Township School District, with Ithan Elementary School identified as the assigned elementary school for current Mill Ridge properties. Students later progress through Radnor Middle School and Radnor High School.
Radnor High School offers a broad selection of Advanced Placement courses, while Ithan Elementary provides programs beginning with kindergarten through fifth grade. For families considering Mill Ridge, this means the community combines a lower-maintenance residential setting with access to the same Radnor Township public school system serving surrounding single-family neighborhoods. Long distance movers in Philadelphia are the right choice if you are considering moving here!
4. Garrett Hill
Garrett Hill gives families a more affordable entry point into the Radnor Township side of Bryn Mawr. Housing is denser than in North-Side Bryn Mawr, with smaller detached homes, twins, and modest single-family properties on compact lots. Recent 2026 sales in and around Garrett Hill show three-bedroom homes selling from roughly $460,000 to $700,000. Larger properties can move well above that range depending on size and condition.
That makes Garrett Hill one of the more attainable Bryn Mawr neighborhoods for families who want access to the Main Line without paying North-Side estate prices. Families moving from a larger property can also use downsizing services to reduce furniture and household belongings before settling into one of Garrett Hill’s smaller homes and lots.
Radnor Township Schools Are a Major Draw
Garrett Hill falls within the Radnor Township School District, which reported an average SAT score of 1,301 for the Radnor High School Class of 2025. The same class posted a 99.83% four-year graduation rate. Radnor High School also offered 34 AP courses, and 92.2% of AP students scored 3 or higher on their exams.
Smaller Lots, Easier Day-to-Day Access
Garrett Hill does not offer the acre-plus lots found in North-Side Bryn Mawr. In return, homes are generally closer together and closer to everyday destinations. Residents have access to the Garrett Hill station on SEPTA’s Norristown High Speed Line, providing rail connections toward 69th Street Transportation Center and Norristown.
The neighborhood also sits near Lancaster Avenue and Route 30. This makes trips to Bryn Mawr, Ardmore, Villanova, and other Main Line destinations straightforward. For families who value school quality and a lower purchase price more than maximum privacy, Garrett Hill can be a practical fit.
5. Grays Lane / Haverford Walk
Grays Lane / Haverford Walk is a strong option for families who need more bedrooms without focusing on estate-style properties. Housing here is primarily made up of three-, four-, and five-plus-bedroom homes. Single-family properties account for much of the residential character. There are also apartment and condominium buildings in the area. Most homes are owner-occupied, and a large share of the housing stock dates to 1939 or earlier.
That combination makes the neighborhood particularly relevant to families who need extra bedrooms for children, guests, or a home office. It also distinguishes the area from Mill Ridge, where two-bedroom condos and townhomes are more common.
Home prices reflect the larger housing stock. The current median real estate price is approximately $1.31 million. That makes Grays Lane / Haverford Walk the second-most expensive Bryn Mawr area neighborhood, behind North-Side Bryn Mawr.
Schools Are Another Strength
Grays Lane / Haverford Walk ranks third among Bryn Mawr neighborhoods for families based on local public-school performance, behind North-Side and South-Side Bryn Mawr. School assignments still depend on the individual property. For example, Grays Lane House at 100 Grays Lane is assigned to Gladwyne School, Black Rock Middle School, and Harriton High School. Buyers should check the assignment for the specific home they are considering.
A Middle Ground Between Space and Access
Grays Lane / Haverford Walk is suburban in density, but families are not completely removed from shops and transportation. The Grays Lane House location, for example, has a Walk Score of 70, classified as “Somewhat Walkable.”
The neighborhood therefore occupies a useful middle ground. Families can find a strong concentration of three- to five-plus-bedroom homes without choosing the more isolated estate setting associated with parts of North-Side Bryn Mawr. The tradeoff is price: with a median above $1.3 million, this is one of the more expensive options on the list. Families moving into one of these larger homes can also use professional packing services in Philadelphia to handle furniture, fragile belongings, and the higher volume of household goods that often comes with a larger property.
Explore the Best Bryn Mawr Neighborhoods for Families!
The best Bryn Mawr neighborhoods for families offer different advantages, from large private lots and high-performing schools to walkable streets and lower-maintenance homes. Compare housing costs, school options, property size, transportation, and community amenities before choosing. Once you know which neighborhood fits your family and budget, BR Moving can help make your relocation to Bryn Mawr easier from start to finish.
