Upper Darby

When it comes to real estate, everyone knows it’s all about location, location, location. In Upper Darby, however, it might just be all about price, price, price. The neighborhood appeals to a particular buyer who appreciates a good value as much as they do a sweet location on the outskirts of Philadelphia. “These homes are perfect for that first-time buyer or for someone that’s coming from rentals,” says Michael Becker, a veteran Realtor with Keller Williams Philly. “They’re coming from rentals and they’re looking into an entry-level home that’s priced right. They’re looking to get out of renting and they’re looking to pay not much more than what they’re paying now.”

Typically, a previously renting buyer here is looking to spend not much more than $1,500 monthly on their mortgage, according to Becker. For that type of money in Upper Darby, they’re likely to find something with modest square footage, generally suitable for an individual, couple or a small family, something like one of the many 60 and 70-year-old brick row houses that populate the area. “Most of the houses are 1,000 to 1,200 square feet. When they’re priced correctly, they’re selling well above the asking price,” Becker explains.

The median home price in Darby Township is about $160,000. Homebuyers can expect to find most homes ranging slightly higher, around $200,000 to $ 250,000 in Upper Darby. Homes priced like that don’t linger on the market very long here. “If a home is in great condition and it’s in that $250,000 range, it receives multiple offers,” Becker says. He calls the most popular houses fitting that description “grandmother homes.” “These are homes where you have people that have lived all of their lives. They have a great roof, great condition, a lot of wallpaper, just needs updating,” Becker continues. As older owners move out to live with family, he shares, one-time renters move in.

Based on their addresses, Upper Darby students enroll in one of three districts: Interboro School District, William Penn School District or Southeast Delco School District. Elementary and middle school Interboro students attend Glenolden School, while high school students attend Interboro Senior High School. Southeast Delco students attend Darby Township School for elementary and middle school, then Academy Park High School. The remaining students attend Ardmore Avenue School for elementary students and Penn Wood Middle School in the William Penn District. Interboro receives the highest marks of the three with an overall B rating from Niche. Southeast Delco and William Penn don’t score as highly but have received sentimental reviews from alumni who recall having caring teachers in those places.

Smaller home sizes tend to encourage children to play outdoors, either outside on their blocks or at one of the local parks. Brookwood Park and Westbridge Park are a couple where kids get to stretch their legs and play. Folks around these parts are big sports fans, so when they’re not playing sports in the neighborhood, there’s a chance you’ll catch them at one of the big professional teams games in neighboring Philly. You can make the 10-mile trip from here to there in about a half-hour, giving you easy highway access to the big city’s art, culture and dining.

Better still, you can stay right where you are and eat to your heart’s content at Pica’s Restaurant, a local institution that has been satisfying generations of dining guests. “They’ve been there since I was a kid, and I’m 56 years old. They’ve been there forever,” Becker recollects. It seems what’s most important about Upper Darby are the things that pass from generation to generation. Location and pricing may draw you in, but what keeps you is that sense of home.

Written By

Jonathan Clarke

Photography Contributed By

Jesse Roehrer

Video By

Alex Finneran