Bellefonte

Regardless of the season, there is always something blooming in Bellefonte. This small suburb of Philadelphia, situated along the Delaware River, offers residents access to flowering meadows, a community garden and a flourishing public school system.

Here you’ll see some town house buildings, along with even more single-family homes. You can get a recently renovated one-bedroom unit for about $140,000 and a newly constructed brick Cape-Cod-style home for close to $650,000. You will find, however, that most three-bedroom houses in town go for between $300,000 and $500,000. There are three-bedroom colonial-style homes with brick and stone exteriors going for about $390,000 and 1920s farmhouses priced around $400,000. You’ll also see 1940s colonials with stucco siding for $500,000 and late 1990s traditional-style homes that are fetching about $540,000.

Students in Bellefonte are served by the Brandywine School District, a system with an A- rating from Niche. At Mount Pleasant Elementary School, which also has an A-Niche rating, students can explore robotics and participate in after-school enrichment opportunities that focus on academics and recreation. The educational experience at P.S. DuPont Middle School, rated A by Niche, includes athletic options such as cross-country and flag football, and extracurriculars like Science Olympiad and writing club. In addition to middle school students, the campus also houses the district’s gifted program. Mount Pleasant High School offers students a wide range of academic options, including career and technical education courses and the International Baccalaureate Program. Mount Pleasant has an A- Niche rating and all three high schools in the district boast top rankings from U.S. News & World Report.

Bellefonte is a wealth of outdoor recreation where residents can enjoy both county and state parks. “You’ll find plenty of activities, programs and events at Bellevue State Park,” says Dante Tiberi, the park’s assistant superintendent. Here you can jog the former equestrian track, explore a nature preserve and tour the park’s historic mansion. “The disc golf course and horseshoe pit get a lot of use,” Tiberi says. There are also seasonal events, including a summer concert series and fall foliage wagon rides. You can head over to Fox Point State Park and let the kids burn off some extra energy on the playground. Then, stroll the river view trail where you can admire passing ships and trains, including the Amtrak which stops at nearby Wilmington station. Another Bellefonte fixture, Bellevue Community Center, offers free youth programs. The center’s gardening program provides local and fresh food options to residents through the weekly farmer’s market and partnerships with area businesses.

One of those local partners, Bellefonte Café, sources produce from Bellevue Community Center. The café is a town staple with indoor and outdoor dining, regular musical entertainment and a diverse menu of seasonal options. The area’s restaurant scene also includes Mazzellas, where you can savor specialty pizzas and other authentic Italian dishes. Bellevue Diner, one of the town's newest spots, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner entrees. For the times you’d rather prepare a meal at home, you can shop for all the fixings at the nearby Food Lion. You can also stop by J&J Produce, the area’s go-to for fresh fruits, veggies and flowers.

About a 13-minute drive from Wilmington and 45 minutes from Philadelphia, Bellefonte is close to Interstate 495 and to Amtrak service via Wilmington station. Locals will tell you that this small New Castle County town has everything you need and almost anything you could want. It might be the perfect place to plant your roots.

Written By

Melissa Face

Photography Contributed By

Conner Baker

Video By

Joan Wall