Suburban living within driving distance of Philadelphia
Part of Upper Darby Township, Drexel Hill sits west of Philadelphia in southeastern Pennsylvania. Gridded residential streets are arranged around a pair of prominent thoroughfares lined with local shops and restaurants, while Darby Creek flows near the city and makes up a geographic boundary along its southern edge. Nearly 30,000 people call the city home, and it’s a popular spot for residents who commute to work in Philadelphia. “Drexel Hill is convenient to every single highway,” says Carolyn Prante, an associate broker with Coldwell Banker Realty. “You’re within two minutes of the expressway, and the turnpike is not much further. It’s more like the Philly suburbs, with a lot of great shopping and food. The proximity to the city and the suburbs is why a lot of people move there.”
The city’s slow-paced, suburban lifestyle is among its primary draws. Sidewalks line many of the streets, unfolding past single-family homes with front and back yards. “There’s a sense of community there,” says Tabitha Heit, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New York Properties. “The community vibes are very nice, warm and welcoming. People that live there want their family members to live there.”
Philadelphia's amenities are quick train ride away from Drexel Hill.
Fish the Darby Creek in Drexel Hill along the Darby Creek Trail.
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A mix of single-family homes and townhouses
Single-family homes and townhouses occupy much of Drexel Hill, and the city has a median housing price of about $307,000. “The taxes are really high in Delaware County,” Prante says. “The home values kind of have to adjust to the tax rate.” Single-family homes often cost between $400,000 and $600,000 and are primarily colonial-style architecture, with many dating to the first half of the 20th century. Townhouses typically range from $250,000 to $350,000. “Home styles are very accommodating,” Prante says. “Most have great parking, with either garage or on-street parking. The houses are typically older constructions.” Single-family homes mostly sit in the central parts of Drexel Hill, while townhouses are concentrated on the northern and southern sides.
Some homes in Drexel Hill have been in the same families for generations, as parents here have been known to pass down homes to their children. “Drexel Hill is known for having stone homes with lots of character,” Heit says. “The people that like older-style homes with character are drawn to this area. You can get a little bit more for your money and house size in Drexel Hill.”
Cold winters, with the lowest temperatures often dipping below freezing, can feature snowfalls averaging over half a foot in January or February.
Escape the summer heat underneath your covered front porch on colonial revivals in Drexel Hill.
Sprawling tudor mansions stand on decent sized properties in Drexel Hill.
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Shopping and dining in Drexel Hill
Residents often look to Burmont Road, which runs through western and central Drexel Hill, for local food and retail. “There’s lots of variety for the food styles because of the proximity to a major city,” Heit says. “There are lots of great options to eat.” Coffee shops, pubs and numerous pizzerias line the road and surrounding area. “You have family restaurants, if you’re going out for a Sunday breakfast or a mid-week dinner party, or if you’re on the younger side there’s bars or the movies,” Prante says. “There’s a little bit of everything going on there.” An ACME Markets sits close to Route 3 for grocery shopping, and residents can also head to a GIANT on Township Line Road on Drexel Hill’s north side.
Brothers Pizza and Restaurant in Drexel Hill offeres outdoor seating options on nice days.
For dinner at home in Drexel Hill get your groceries at ShopRite.
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Parks on the outskirts of Drexel Hill
Several parks sit along Darby Creek, which runs along the southern portion of Drexel Hill. Pilgrim Park spans about 50 acres and is heavily forested with trails, while Indian Rock Park has dense foliage and a playground. “They do have public parks and places where you can go,” Prante says. “They do have dog parks there, so that’s pretty important to people in Drexel Hill.” The Darby Creek Trail is split into three sections and provides pathways for recreation, while the Lower Swedish Cabin is a historical attraction dating back nearly 400 years. It is considered one of the oldest buildings in Pennsylvania.
Stretch your legs in Drexel Hill on the Darby Creek Trail.
Tire out the tykes on the playground at Huey Park.
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Using city streets to get around southeastern Pennsylvania
From central Drexel Hill, residents are less than 2 miles away from Route 1. Center City in Philadelphia is about 8 miles east, while Interstate 95 is about 6 miles south. “People like living in Drexel Hill because it’s very close to the city of Philadelphia,” Heit says. “It’s very accessible.” Residents can also use SEPTA buses and trains to get around. “It’s close enough to the city that there’s still plenty of easy, great public transportation,” Prante says. “You can probably get to Jersey within 20 minutes and the suburbs within 20 minutes.” Philadelphia International Airport sits less than 10 miles south of Drexel Hill.
Early education centers and nearby colleges
The Upper Darby School District serves the Drexel Hill area and scores a B-minus with Niche. The district incorporates one kindergarten center and 10 elementary schools. Most of the elementary schools span first through fifth grades, but three of them also offer kindergarten education. It also includes two middle schools and one high school. There are several private schools in the area, including Holy Child Academy, a Catholic school that receives an A-plus from Niche. The private Drexel University is located in Philadelphia proper and has around 24,000 students, while Delaware County Community College operates a branch in Drexel Hill.
Another elementary school option in Drexel Hill is Hillcrest Elementary School
Teens prepare for college in Drexel Hill, PAs at Upper Darby High School.
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Philly sports teams take the field, ice and court
Drexel Hill residents are about 10 miles east of the Philadelphia Sports Complex, which is home to all four of the city’s professional sports teams. The Phillies and Eagles each play at separate fields, while the 76ers and Flyers share an arena close by.
Rising crime statistics in the township
Drexel Hill is situated in Upper Darby Township, and the area’s police department recorded an increase of nearly double the number of violent crimes from 2022 to 2023. Property crimes more than doubled between the two years.
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